Notebooking
I keep a notebook (OK a few of them) and scrawl different things as a way of processing and remembering and thinking. It's like a notebook gives concrete form to the intangibles of life.
My go-to notebook (in nerdy notebook language it’s called my EDC or everyday carry) is a personal place. A way of organizing my ideas, nurturing my creativity. It is also a tool to help me remember the milk.
Sure, I could do all of this on my phone. But I don’t. I write it down in my notebooks.
I have collections pages where I note things I love, want to read, or watch. Sometimes it’s a recipe. Sometimes it’s an idea I’m noodling or something I’m trying to figure out and understand about myself and the world. Sometimes it’s a place to be messy, fantastical, silly, because it’s fun and I need that in my life too. Sometimes it’s very neat. Controlled. It reflects who I am.
By putting a thing in my notebook, I get to engage with it in a bigger way.
I also have a page for you in my notebook. A place where I write things I want to remember to tell you because I think it’s cool or special or interesting, or worth thinking about, or worth trying.
So, this post, is that. Today.
Do. Not. Miss. This.
One of my favorite guests on Simply Write, Emmy-award-winning television producer Paula Rizzo is partnering with Publishing Guru Jane Friedman to offer a FREE webinar, tomorrow, Friday, March 21.
The free, virtual workshop—which I signed up for—will cover
Crafting engaging videos
On-camera confidence
Creating newsworthy content
Video production best practice
If you ever want to get an agent, or write books that others will read, or maybe you want to learn more about videos to launch on social media in this video-heavy world, this is for you.
Sign up here: Mastering Your On-Camera Presence — 9 to 10 a.m.PT/Noon ET
Note, the amazing Jane Friedman will also be the guest on Monday’s Simply Write w/Polly.
The Whole Country is Watching
After prying into their personal lives with this nest cam, I feel like I’m on a first-name basis with Jackie and Shadow the bald eagles raising their eaglets in a nest 140 feet up in a tree in Big Bear Valley. Fascinating and lovely and hard and amazing.
Erma, Here I Come-ish
Actually, I’m not going anywhere—because it’s ALL VIRTUAL. That means you can take part in the renowned Virtual Erma Writer’s Conference (!!!) without changing out of your sweats.
This year’s conference is set for Saturday, April 5, and I’m beyond excited to be on the faculty with, wait for it… Anne Lamott, who’s delivering the keynote.
There are many fantastic writers and teachers, so register now: The Virtual Erma Conference.
I’ll be talking about the writer’s voice—how it should shift and change on the page while always staying true and authentic to you, the writer.
And trust me, I’ll be ready—because I cannot stop thinking about this. When I’m supposed to be sleeping? Thinking about it. In the shower? Thinking about it. When my teen daughter uses phrases I’ve never heard before, and I’m trying to decode what the heck she’s saying? Still thinking about it.
My dog has heard parts of this talk at least seven times. She usually wags her tail, so I take that as a good sign.
Cool Stuff
I first saw this print in Celine Nguyn’s Substack, Personal Canon, and was immediately struck by it. I made a note about it and followed the links where I discovered it at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Also, I’ve gotten very good at the bunny.
What’s in your notebook?
Writers I hope you are doing some writing by hand in a notebook. Something about it that gets the creative energy flowing.
Happy Thursday.
Don’t forget to sit down and simply write.
-p
