What Notebooks I’m Bringing on My International Trip

May 21, 2018May 21, 2018 ~ notebookjoy ~ 5 Comments

I’m going on a study abroad trip to Rome! Of course, my favorite part of packing is deciding what notebooks I will bring with me! Since this is a short overseas trip I don’t want to risk flying with fountain pens. So here’s my list:

Rhodia webbie notebook for journaling about my trip
Baron Fig vanguard just in case I have any time to write stories
Leuchtturm1917 Pocket Journal for writing down lists and random story ideas
Papermate ink joy pens
Roll of washi tape to paste in memorabilia
Regular spiral bound notebook for schoolwork

And that’s it! I’m not staying for too long otherwise I would bring more. I’ll try to look out for any cool notebooks in Italy!

In other news, I’m going to be super busy after this trip. After my return flight, I’m working on an archaeological dig for six weeks. I probably won’t be posting that much. I hope my few readers understand this hiatus! I should be back to more regular posting by July 10. Have a great summer!

Out/In

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 ~ notebookjoy ~ Leave a comment

I’ve seen this type of post in the Field Notes community, so I’d like to try it out. Here is my latest completed notebook, and what will replace it!

Out: Baron Fig Raspberry Honey, 192 pages, finished in four months

In: Hippo Noto, 500 pages, review coming soon!

Video: George Saunders – On Story

April 18, 2018 ~ notebookjoy ~ Leave a comment

“The better state in my experience is to have some idea of what the story is and sometimes it’s just the tiniest kernel of something you enjoyed writing. Then once you put it down on the page and write it and rewrite it, it’s actually your own discontent with [your writing] that in some slow mysterious way urges it to that higher ground. Often it will do so in ways that surprise you. ”

-George Saunders

I watched this video in my creative writing class. I enjoyed hearing about George Saunders and his revision process. It is very similar to mine! You never know how your characters or plot will change over the course of a story. You shouldn’t be afraid to improvise and listen to your characters! If you haven’t read his books Lincoln in the Bardo or The Tenth of December, you really should. His stories are eclectic yet interesting.

Journaling Prompts

April 17, 2018 ~ notebookjoy ~ 7 Comments

So I love journaling but I have trouble coming up with what to write sometimes. It gets boring writing the day-to-day minutiae of my life. Diaries and journals don’t have to record every second of your life but are good for reflections, rants, stories about your life, etc. So here are some links to journaling prompts that have helped me out!