Idea Notebook

Sometimes the richest resources are the ones you create for yourself. I think every writer needs a notebook in which to record and develop ideas for new writing projects. This can be anything from a pocket-size spiral notebook for quick notes to a thick loose-leaf binder. I prefer the loose-leaf option because it allows me to easily move pages around or add new pages right where I want them. Whenever you have a flash of inspiration for a writing project, write the idea at the top of its very own page in your notebook. Even if you think it might be crazy or you think you won’t be able to work on it for five years, write it down. You can add supporting notes, titles and locations of source material, names of people you need to interview, possible publishing outlets, etc., on the lines below. Newspaper or magazine clippings, brochures or photos can be paper clipped to the page. It’s your notebook—do whatever you want! Most importantly, don’t just let your ideas sit there once you’ve written them down. Flip through your notebook’s pages once in a while and pick out something to work on right now.