Why you need a blogging notebook and a giveaway
June 4, 2008
It’s easy to think that blogging “happens” online. The fact is, the idea for your next great post can come at anytime, even when your away from your computer. It’s important to be ready to capture these ideas and develop them as they occur. To acheive this, I use a Blogging Notebook.
Purpose
I wanted a tool that I could use to:
- Brainstorm ideas
- Capture the good ones
- Develop ideas into posts
- Set a blogging schedule
- Explore potential projects
So, I created a blogging notebook.*
It had to meet my criteria: Small, sturdy, minimal in design and attractive - I’ll be more likely to use something I like. So, I got a large, ruled Moleskine notebook. It’s slick and sturdy with a built-in bookmark, interior pocket and elastic strap. Inside is a pamphlet which describes the thing as “…the legendary notebook of Hemingway and Van Gogh.” Jeeze, fancy.
I started to carry it around and found it bulky. Too obtrusive for a back pocket and too large for a front, I actually started wearing cargo pants just to carry the thing around.
Alter my wardrobe to accommodate my notebook? Sorry, but no.
Dissatisfied, I renewed my search for the perfect pocket-sized notebook and found it in the Filed Notes Brand notebook. This isn’t “…the legendary notebook of Hemingway and Van Gogh,” it’s a blue collar appliance thats ready for work. It’s thin, small, and attractive with 48 pages of graph paper, a ruler and a listing of obscure details like this tidbit which explains the internal pages:
“480,000 pages on Boise Offset Smooth 50#T ‘White,’ with a fine, soy-based 1-color application of ‘Double Knee Duck Canvas’ light brown ink.”
Here’s the best part - I’ve got three Field Notes notebooks to give away! Details follow this post.
In Practice - Capturing ideas and brainstorms
First, I numbered the pages, but only the odd ones, since it’s the odd pages I see as I flip through. On the back of the inside flap I started a table of contents.
Starting at page 1, the odd-numbered pages are used for capturing ideas. Each entry follows this format:
First, the initials of the intended blog. Next, the appropriate category. Below that is a brief description of the idea.
Once I begin to work up an outline for an idea, I note the page number. Finally, a horizontal line separates entries.
Note that legible handwriting is optional.
Brainstorm sessions are recorded on the even-numbered pages, starting at page 2. Each is preceded with the date, and followed with a bracket to designate the end. If a worthwhile idea results, it’s recorded as a new entry on an odd-numbered page.
Prepping posts for publication
Starting in the back of the book and working towards page 2, the even-numbered pages are used for outlining posts. I don’t compose the post itself in the notebook - I just create a bulleted outline of everything I want to discuss. Outlines may fill as many pages as necessary, and a bracket designates its end. Also, I write the original publishing date at the end of each outline.
Static information - like my blogging schedule - is stored on the odd-numbered pages moving toward the front, and listed in the table of contents.
Blogging schedule
Previously, I posted ideas as they occurred to me, which caused two main problems:
- My blog felt “scattered.” A post about GTD would follow a funny video, which followed a Twitter link and then a software review.
- I’d exhaust all of my ideas in just a couple of days. After writing five great posts by Tuesday, I was out of ideas by Wednesday.
To combat this, I created the following schedule:
- Monday - Productivity
- Tuesday - Technology
- Wednesday - Living Simply
- Thursday - Reader links
- Friday - Fun & Recreation
- Saturday: Weekly reader (links)
- Sunday: Best of the week
Now, I’m focused on one feature-length post per day. Plus, my readers know when I’ll address their interests. Of course, this means no more videos of Britney assaulting SUV’s with an umbrella, but that’s the price we pay.
Making it work
This is all well and good, but it’s nothing if the book is unused. Here are a few tips for getting the most from your blogging notebook.
- Love it. I chose the Filed Notes notebook because, frankly, I think they’re really cool. They look great, feel great, are durable and ready to go. Buy something you love and you’ll be motivated to use it.
- Invest in a great pen. Even if you’re not a “pen person,” spend a few minutes at an office supply store or a craft store and find a pen you really like. Again, if its fun to write, you’ll want to.
- Carry it with you. Make a habit of taking your book where ever you go. Toss it in your bag and consider it “essential equipment.” That way, you’ll have it when inspiration strikes.
If you haven’t created a blogging notebook, I recommend it. It’s so nice to have everything in one place: Your ideas, brainstorms, post outlines, schedule, project list…whatever you’d like to add. If it’s Saturday night and I need a productivity post for Monday, I can pick from the ideas I previously categorized as “productivity.”
Best of all, the book’s portability allows me to use it anywhere. Stuck in the doctor’s office? Browse the notebook. Got a long train ride? Draft next week’s post. Can’t sleep? Brainstorm those nagging ideas out of your head! You’ll be glad you did.
Now for the best part. I’ve got three Field Notes notebooks to give away. To register to win one, simply leave a comment (with an email address) on this post. I’ll pick three winners on Monday, June 9th and announce them here. Good luck!
*I know what you’re thinking - blogging on paper? Dave’s cheese has slipped off his cracker. Yes, there’s a lot of software that can accomplish the same things. However, I believe that there’s nothing more useful, powerful or full of potential than a piece of paper and a pen.
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4 Responses to “Why you need a blogging notebook and a giveaway”
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I’m not against scattered random blogging, but I’m with you on the paper thing.
I’ve got a Moleskin pocket sized calendar/notebook, but it lives in my laptop bag, not my pocket, for the exact same reasons you mentioned.
For writers, I recommend two books: _On Writing_ by Stephen King, which is about ½ autobiography and ½ writing tips (”the road to hell is paved with adverbs” will be with me always) and _Bird by Bird_ by Ann Lamott.
Ann says she always carries an index card in her back pocket, because you never know when an idea will come.
My biggest question: who has a nice small, not leaky pen that fits a pocket well and will take whatever abuse comes its way?
I often shy away from analog means of capturing and fleshing out ideas, preferring the keyboard to a pen or pencil. But there is something really satisfying about writing things down on paper.
I really like the idea of a blogging schedule, I’m going to give that a try along with carrying around a notebook more.
I currently use a moleskine, but it’s one of the small ones which is not conducive to writing anything of substance, it’s more for quick notes.
Thanks for the excellent post!
TJL: Great recommendations. I’ve read On Writing, but not Bird by Bird. I’ll check it out. I do use the large Moleskines for note-taking (especially with clients), but my Field Notes is my real workhorse. I love it.
Ben: Thanks! I used to think that paper was outdated and useless compared to electronic alternatives, but today I think there’s nothing more useful. For me, computer applications supplement paper.
Good luck with the schedule and let me know how it goes!
I’ve carried around all kinds of notebooks & pads to take notes for different committees I sit on, classes, seminars & meetings I attend. I’m not sure that I have found the style/size that works best for me, but I have long been bothered by not being able to find the notes I need when I want them. Which notebook are they in? If I know which notebook, where in the notebook?(and that doesn’t cover my sketch pads - don’t ask!)
Dave, your idea on how to organize the notebook and set up a table of contents is priceless - thanks for a great post!