My notebook

I never used to carry a notebook around with me anywhere. Whenever I thought of a story idea I'd make a note of it on my phone or just rely on my memory. But now, I never go anywhere without it. 

My notebook is where all my thoughts go. Whether I get an idea for a story, I hear something interesting, make up a nice song lyric, write down a beautiful word or write a scene of my novel, a notebook is very handy and it all goes in there. 

It is starting to look rather tatty with various piece of paper falling out of it, but it contains pretty much everything I need. It's not a fancy notebook, (just a pukka pad) but it does the job. Being a very organized person, I like having everything in one place or neatly in their own piles and so, having a notebook means that all of my writing is together.

I feel that the more I write in my notebook, the more realistic my stories become. For example, I might write about a person I see out and about - not just the way they look, but the way their feet scuff the ground as they walk, the way they close their eyes when they laugh, the way they flick their hair when they are being filmed, the way their nostrils flare as they look at you, the way they scratch their shoulder when they are nervous. I like to notice the little things (not a reference to One Direction!) because the little things make us unique. 

I know this probably makes me sound like a weird stalker, but if I'm going to write realistically, my characters have to be realistic. 

I try and pretend my notebook is my own little space to write whatever I like. I don't have to worry about anyone reading it. It's there for me to write down all my thoughts and ideas without judgement. 

My Microsoft started playing up recently on my laptop. I usually write my stories straight onto a word document, but since it isn't working, I've been writing everything in there. I have to admit, it probably is the better place to write everything. Although you have to type everything back up onto the laptop, the fact that it is portable means I can write anywhere I want which is very handy. I like that I can walk down to the library or the park near where I live and can pick up my story whenever I want, rather than having to do it only when I have my laptop with me (which isn't something I carry around with me everywhere). 

All in all, I feel it would be a loss for a writer not to carry a notebook around with them. You'd be surprised how much you forget throughout the day. I have to write, write, write all the time to keep myself motivated and on point. Without my little notebook, I would definitely not be!!! 

Thanks for reading :)