Do you recognize a notebook addict when you see one? They probably have one shoulder lower than the other.I love notebooks. I love blank pages, ready to absorb new thoughts. I love filled notebooks as proof that I did think.
Trouble is, they are breeding. Big time. I swear the lilac and the blue one got together overnight and spawned a paper tiddler.
The ones pictured are just a selection. These are the ones that get carried around with me. Not all of them at one time you understand. That would be irresponsible for I would fall over sideways and cause a squashing of something. Prosecution would no doubt follow.
The blue one, second from left, holds the current WIP. This one is falling apart because it gets carried around like a security blankie. The others are all journals, bits of poetry, general observations and ridiculous ramblings.
There are also mish-mash ones scattered around, plus a couple of spares in the car. Oh yes and filofaxes ... x 3 ... and sketch books.
Now, my question is - Is This Normal? Please tell me it is. If not, I may have to join Notebooks Anonymous and attempt to get 'clean'. But it is normal ... isn't it?
46 comments:
But what is normal??
I walk a bit lopsidd as I carry way too much 'junk', as husband puts it around in my bag. (He thinks I have 'bag issues' but that is for another day!)
I think the notebooks are fabulous and just think. When you are rich and famous and an internationally renowned writer and you are doing your memoirs, you can use them! ;)
Hello fellow notebook addict! I'm impressed by how pretty all your notebooks are. Mine, I'm afraid are pretty boring looking - mostly black, red and blue but I can't do without my notebooks. I only keep one at a time and use it for everything - short story ideas, bits of the novel, overheard conversations etc etc and everyone laughs at me because I carry an ENORMOUS bag (I need it to keep the notebook in, plus current novel I'm reading, plus Mslexia diary plus...plus..plus).
I've built up quite a pile of completed notebooks now. Maybe I should take a photo!
My name is Helen, and I'm also a notebook addict. Your collection is lovely and I feel a trip to paperchase coming on....
Oddly enough, I can't write in pretty notebooks - only the cheapo A4s from Smiths ill do for me. I do like the ones with pockets in though so that I can tuck odd bits of stuff in.
Your notebooks will fetch way more on eBay than mine when you're famous though. Grrrrrrrrrr.
I wish the husband hadn't taken the digital camera to work so I could take a pic of my notebook collection. The husband justifies my addiction by saying I'm drawn to new notebooks I don't need because of the possibility they represent. (he's smart!)
I think I have 2 I'm currently using at the moment (a general journal and one I'm using as a scrapbook for the novel).
Do you type up your WIP notebook regularly? I didn't do this so now I have 5 more notebooks to type up before I can begin revising. craziness!
SarahG - I carry too much junk too. My bag has layers that I haven't delved into for ages. And you're right ... what is normal?
Ctaylor - yes! Take a photo! I'm so pleased you're an addict too:-) And a Mslexia diary - lovely.
Helen - another addict. Phew! Thankfully there isn't a Paperchase in my local town. That would be too tempting. I daren't even look online:-)
Spiralskies may I call you Jen? - I'm more interested in the paper inside than the covers. I'm a bit hard-core in that it must be just right for the pen or pencil and not too white. Oh dear, that looks very odd written down:-(
Ooh they are pretty. Most of mine are cheap and boring... like Jen, when I buy pretty ones I just don't want to spoil them by scribbling in them for some reason. Though I have got a very nice Paperchase one waiting for me...
k.imaginelli - You're husband is quite right! They hold so much possiblity:-)
Sometimes I write straight onto the screen but most planning and notes goes on in the WIP book. I don't envy you 5 notebooks worth to type up!! And yes, a photo??
Me likes the lively uplifting colours. Do you have pens/pencils to match? TFx
That is such a pretty sight. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't normal! I'd love to see them all together in one photo one day... now there's a project!
Don't worry, Lane, this is totally normal behaviour. Totally normal.
Cathy - They are pretty aren't they! The thing about being a notebook addict is that people are never stuck for birthday/xmas ideas. I used to be quite precious and not want to spoil them but now... pah, dive in and scribble:-) Enjoy your Papercase one!
TF - no pens to match I'm afraid, but there's nothing like a fiendishly sharp pencil:-)
Babaloo - If I get them all together I fear they will breed some more. Also it would show just how far the addiction as been allowed to grow! One day maybe...:-)
Leigh - oh thank you. I feel so much better now you've said that:-)... you did mean it ...right??
Hello my name is Sheepish and I like notebooks too. I have A4 for my Morning pages, Other A4 ringbound for my wip, smaller ones for carrying at all times in case I get an idea, and empty ones just waiting to be filled. Can't see a problem with it personally!!!!!
For Christmas I was given a leather notebook with laced leather edges and a large semi-precious stone imbedded in the center top. Inside - oh my - hand made paper.......
I'm afraid my words aren't good enough to go inside....
lane, you are speaking my language. i have drawers of these things--some were gifts, really beautiful ones with hand-made italian endpapers and leather covers. some i bought on whim. some i got when my dad died, because he liked these, too.
but here's the thing: do i ever write in them? no, not ever, not even once. i can only write by typing. with a pen, not so much.
can i get rid of them, then, knowing i will never use them?
no. absolutely not.
unless......hey!!! i need a prize for my blog contest!! you might possibly win!!!!! maybe i need to ship my notebooks to you!!!!!!
Looks like I'm the one who's not normal, because I don't do notebooks. My laptop comes with me when I need to take my novel places. (It's called a 'notebook computer', technically, but I don't think that counts.) I use spiral-bound notebooks for 'to do' lists, which then get torn out and recycled. They are not things of beauty but things of utility. And I couldn't be doing with covers on them.
I'm a pukka pad addict. A4 and A5 sized. A5 sized for handbag and A4 for keeping notes of bits and bobs for my writing at home. I have blue stripy ones at home and at work I use pink stripy ones.
My work A5 sized one is very interesting. I take it into meetings and make little character comments in the back section about all the people I meet to use in my writing. In the front bit of this one are very innocuous Apologies and Substitutions so if anyone finds on my desk they will think it very very boring!
Happy New Year.
The prettier the notebook the prettier I try to write. Are you writing your novel longhand?
I love the idea of notebooks cross breeding.
And of course, NORMAL. NORMAL AS CAN BE!
I know trhat feeling. I'm a little more singular in that I always buy the same brand, color, and size. But geez, do I fill them or what!
You're definitely not alone (though I'm not sure how normal it is!) I've four different notebooks for my WIP - and that's with the first draft being typed straight onto the computer.
Great blog by the way.
Nik.
Of course it's normal! (Right?) Well at least it's normal to me. And you have some real beauties in there. Tell me, do you collect pens too? I'm guessing yes with that pretty stripy one.
Happy New Year!
Sheepish - well done for doing Morning Pages. I sort of fell by the wayside on that one:-)
Aims - of course your words are good enough. More, more than good enough. You fill that notebook and make it even more beautiful:-)
Laurie - they sound beautiful in their own right. Some things are just nice to have, gaze at and stroke occasionally.
lol at your comp. I tried to cheat by looking at the urls or blowing up the pics for a clue but couldn't even manage to do that. Enjoyed myself though!!:-)
Zinnia - you're a practical woman Zinnia:-) I admire that! Gosh I feel frivolous now:-)
Annie - you're clever to write at the back! I hope none of your collegues turns to the back pages:-) I like Pukkas too:-)
Pacha - yes Normal, Normal! Yay!
I write bits in longhand and bits straight onto the computer. Depends on the mood. Everything gets printed out and put in the big notebook anyway. Hhhm. Think I may be complicating the process just a tad:-)
Wayne - filling them is the main thing. Words, words and more words:-)
Nik - Hi Nik and welcome. I'm so glad I'm not alone here. And you type straight onto the computer and have multi-wip notebooks too! Phew, someone else who does that! Thanks for dropping by. I'll nip over and say hi on yours:-)
Angie - Thanks Angie. No, pens don't really do it for me. I usually end up nicking them from the girls. Now sharp pencils ..... love 'em:-)
Helloey, I fell in here from somewhere a little while ago but have been lurking - til now! I feel much better about my notebooks now. Mine seem to be breeding but I think I only have 4... maybe 5? A few weeks ago I just had one. My family took my christmas request seriously and now I have all shapes and sizes so I can test them out and see what works best for me. Yay! Thanks for putting my mind at rest :)
... a couple of spares in the car ... now Lane darling, please tell me you're not trying to write and drive at the same time! I often think it would be great if I could put my driving time to good use by writing - but, trust me, it isn't possible!!! xxx
b- Helloey to you and welcome! Seems we're not alone in our notebook addiction. Have fun trying them out but remember ... they breed like bunnies:-)
Helenmh - Ha! They're for emergencies Helen honest! Imagine being stuck for ages or waiting for someone and having nothing to write on apart from your hand .... or Teabag!
Let's see, from my blogging spot can see the cloth one with embroidered cover, the planner pad, a steno book, reporter's notebook stolen from my former company, a red journal with black lab on cover, a skinny computer pad, a polka dot spiral, a spiral with the Irish Blessing on the cover and all manner of sketchbooks. Yep Lane, you're pretty normal, but a Notebook's Anon for Bloggers should be pretty interesting.
Lane, but you didn't mention the pens in the picture...do you collect them too?
Why not join the 21st century and get a PDA? You can upload your thoughts and writings straight to your computer.
I love notebooks too though I dont use them as much as you do! What writer can resist a good notebook I say!
faye - what a great collection. If my addiction gets worse I may have to start Notebooks Anonymous. Seems like there'd be alot of members:-)
Pacha - nah, pens don't don't do it for me. I always 'borrow' the girls':-)
Captain B - It's the 21st century? Really are you sure?:-) I've only just graduated from slate and an abacus:-)
flowerpot - Exactly fp. I'm glad you said that:-)
Your notebook collection is far more attractive than mine! I'm currently addicted to Pukka Pads (sp?) from WHSmith. I love them with all the little sections.
Unfortunately my writing is dreadful and I constant cross things out so they end up looking a mess. I write with a silver pen I was given for a birthday present several years ago and love them.
Hi Lane.
I, too, love pretty spiral-bound or leather-bound notebooks. I think they're lovely but, sadly, I can't write in them. I have this odd fear of writing something horrible and ruining the pretty notebook. Three years ago I got two beautiful notebooks for my birthday and they've yet to have a mark made in them. Is this pathological or just quirky? I can ramble endlessly on a scrap of loose paper because if what I write is crap, and it often is, I can toss it, guilt-free, but once you tear a page from a lovely notebook, haven't you spoiled the integrity of the notebook? I really should seek therapy immediately, shouldn't I?
Normal, for writers anyway. I don't have as many as you do, but I'm close.
Debs - Pukka pads are great. I may just have to add to the collection:-)
Helen S - hi m'deary. Nice to see you again! It's funny how many people have said they can't bear to spoil nicebooks. You're not alone:-)
Wordtryst - Seems to be a writer's trait doesn't it:-)
I think we should all seek therapy immediately - if it doesn't help, at least we can dribble over each others wonderful notebooks.
JJx
Well, it might not be considerd as "normal" but that is good right? Nothing wrong about being outside of the norm. Have a great day! :-)
OMG - I am so glad it's not just me (and JJ whom I should so not be allowed to go out shopping with!!).
I have one for song quotes, one for general ideas in word format, one for drawing idea's in doodles, one for drawing.....erm....I think I'm going to stop there (have just told husband that I need a new spiral bound one so I can sketch from real life - if he reads this then I've got no chance!!)
C x
jj -they are rather wonderful aren't they! But let's not dribble ON them:-)
Dave - quite right. Who wants to be considered 'normal' (whatever that is) anyway:-)
Carol - Chris, you are not to read this but if you do, Carol desperately needs a new sketch book. She doesn't have enough .... honest:-)
Is this a self-help group? I too am a notebook addict. Had already requested people buy me them for Christmas (how greedy) then went and acidentally treated myself in Waterstones. (To a notebook, in case you were wondering). Is anyone else addicted to sniffing the pages though...?
I used to buy hundreds of the things. Then I bought a Mslexia diary and I havent bought a new notebook since.
I occasionally use the unloved ones left on my shelf from previous shopping trips if I need to write something longhand (chapter-length or similar) but usually these days it's the Mslexia diary and my laptop I carry around.
Karen - Waterstones have fab notebooks. And yes I do sniff the pages - when they're new:-)
Juliette - I've heard so many good things about Mslexia diaries. Will have to investigate!
Oh my - notebooks, and diaries, and journals - guilty as charged! I love 'em. Buy too many of them. Don't fill them in any organised manner. But have found the lovely leather ones to be a real treat! And Mslexia - I forgot to get a diary this year! Oh No!
Hesitant - me neither. I have all good intentions of filling them methodically and then get confused.
I love the leather ones too!
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