Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Oct 31, 2005 20:41:57 GMT 1
The Writer’s Notebook.
The value of keeping and using a writer’s notebook cannot be stressed enough. Like your house keys, never leave home without it. Don’t even take a bath or go to bed without it, and a working pen or pencil, to hand. The very time you do will be when you need it most.
Random thoughts; ideas; inspirations; observations; quotations and even single words that suddenly spring to mind for unaccountable reasons can then be jotted down before they drift off into the ether or you into sleep.
Because of the value of this book, and the nature of its possible content, some writers prefer to keep two versions. The first being the essential pocket-sized pad or spiral bound variety; the second a desk journal or computer version with back-up disk - or even a card filing system to formalise and organise their entries. Once backed up, some writers may prefer to rip out and dispose of the original notebook pages; much would depend upon content, but imagine the inconveniences or possible consequences if it were to be lost or fell into the wrong hands before you decide what suits you best. (Imagine the crime writer planning a bank robbery for ‘his gang’ and what the result might be were that notebook to slip out of his pocket whilst on a train? Could that be an idea for plotting a novel?)
Whether you write things down in casual note form or prefer a more organised method is entirely up to you. However, remember these are notes for your own benefit. Making them legible and easy to access and utilise helps!
If you are noting observations made of a real event, then do include details of who; what; where; when; possibly why (if applicable – i.e. why workers are on strike in a local factory) and any accurate quotations attributable to particular individuals. For a news report or article, all of these are vital ingredients. You only have to pick up a daily newspaper or magazine to recognise this. The briefest item in a daily paper will include at least four of the above, and if you have never noticed that before, look. You don’t have to take my word for it. If you plan to write fiction, readers won’t be satisfied unless these are addressed and answered to their satisfaction.
Many would-be writers believe that they can write whatever they want without giving a thought to their readers. The reality is that unless potential readers are captured and their attention held within the first few paragraphs, they will have no readers. The would-be writer will always be exactly that – a ‘would-be’. They can rant and rage all they want about being misunderstood and their talent unappreciated, it will make no difference and doing so will prevent them gaining the knowledge and experience they need to learn and progress on their chosen path. Outside of a personal therapy writing exercise, there is no room for ego; the writer’s job is simply to inform, entertain, and above all, satisfy their reader – and the first of those they must capture holds their future as a published writer in their hands. That is the newspaper or magazine editor, the literary agent or the publisher.
Well worth noting on the cover of your writer’s notebook are the following words:
EGO = Edging God Out
Yes, however much the writer has the ability to play god within the pages of their MS (manuscript), out in the real world allowing one’s ego to rule is a recipe for rejection and failure. That, of course, applies to all and not only to writers.
© TRPD Writers’ Group - 1980
The value of keeping and using a writer’s notebook cannot be stressed enough. Like your house keys, never leave home without it. Don’t even take a bath or go to bed without it, and a working pen or pencil, to hand. The very time you do will be when you need it most.
Random thoughts; ideas; inspirations; observations; quotations and even single words that suddenly spring to mind for unaccountable reasons can then be jotted down before they drift off into the ether or you into sleep.
Because of the value of this book, and the nature of its possible content, some writers prefer to keep two versions. The first being the essential pocket-sized pad or spiral bound variety; the second a desk journal or computer version with back-up disk - or even a card filing system to formalise and organise their entries. Once backed up, some writers may prefer to rip out and dispose of the original notebook pages; much would depend upon content, but imagine the inconveniences or possible consequences if it were to be lost or fell into the wrong hands before you decide what suits you best. (Imagine the crime writer planning a bank robbery for ‘his gang’ and what the result might be were that notebook to slip out of his pocket whilst on a train? Could that be an idea for plotting a novel?)
Whether you write things down in casual note form or prefer a more organised method is entirely up to you. However, remember these are notes for your own benefit. Making them legible and easy to access and utilise helps!
If you are noting observations made of a real event, then do include details of who; what; where; when; possibly why (if applicable – i.e. why workers are on strike in a local factory) and any accurate quotations attributable to particular individuals. For a news report or article, all of these are vital ingredients. You only have to pick up a daily newspaper or magazine to recognise this. The briefest item in a daily paper will include at least four of the above, and if you have never noticed that before, look. You don’t have to take my word for it. If you plan to write fiction, readers won’t be satisfied unless these are addressed and answered to their satisfaction.
Many would-be writers believe that they can write whatever they want without giving a thought to their readers. The reality is that unless potential readers are captured and their attention held within the first few paragraphs, they will have no readers. The would-be writer will always be exactly that – a ‘would-be’. They can rant and rage all they want about being misunderstood and their talent unappreciated, it will make no difference and doing so will prevent them gaining the knowledge and experience they need to learn and progress on their chosen path. Outside of a personal therapy writing exercise, there is no room for ego; the writer’s job is simply to inform, entertain, and above all, satisfy their reader – and the first of those they must capture holds their future as a published writer in their hands. That is the newspaper or magazine editor, the literary agent or the publisher.
Well worth noting on the cover of your writer’s notebook are the following words:
EGO = Edging God Out
Yes, however much the writer has the ability to play god within the pages of their MS (manuscript), out in the real world allowing one’s ego to rule is a recipe for rejection and failure. That, of course, applies to all and not only to writers.
© TRPD Writers’ Group - 1980