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The Writer’s Notebook

by Renee Carter Hall

Writers today have more tools than ever to choose from. We can tap out notes on a phone or type our stories on a laptop or tablet. With all the spellchecking, grammar checking, sync, and instant backups at our fingertips, why would anyone still bother to write by hand? What can a pen and notebook give us that a word processor can’t?

• A slower process. In today’s on-demand culture, that might not sound like a benefit. But when it comes to writing, faster isn’t always better, and writing by hand can force you to slow down and weigh your thoughts as you put them on paper.

• Fewer distractions. When you write by hand, there are no emails, games, or social media to demand your attention. You can also write in a coffee shop without scoping out the available power outlets — and while I’ve learned the hard way that waterproof ink is sometimes a good idea, I’ve still never gotten an error message from a notebook.

• A different mindset.  For me, there’s something very direct and true about writing first drafts by hand. Typed writing can feel “finished” before its time, and while I’d never trade a computer for editing, the drafting process feels more intimate in my own handwriting than a font. I’m sure some of this is generational, but to me, writing done by hand is writing for the self, while typing on a keyboard puts me in a “public writing” mindset — blog posts, emails, functional writing instead of creative — where writing by hand reminds me of childhood days spent scribbling stories in wide-ruled notebooks, and reminds me that writing is supposed to be fun. A journal feels like a safe, private, patient space to experiment, in a way a blinking cursor can’t duplicate.

I’ve kept some form of writer’s notebook (or journal, whatever term appeals to you) for over twenty years, and I can’t imagine giving it up. My journals have been to me what a sketchbook is to an artist: a gym for exercise, a laboratory for experimentation, a butterfly net for rounding up stray thoughts. Unless I’m on a tight deadline where I have to get from first draft to submitted work in a hurry, my preference is to write the first draft by hand. (This also has the fringe benefit of easing me into the editing process, since I always start making changes to the text as I’m typing up the draft.)

My notebooks also place my writing within the larger scope of my life. Interspersed among story drafts and notes are quirky lists of favorite commercials, possible character names, passages I’ve loved from books and poems, and the odd to-do list. To me there’s something delightfully grounding in that. There’s also a physical pleasure in writing with a good pen on quality paper, and there’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with filling pages in a journal that isn’t quite matched by keeping track of word counts in a spreadsheet.

Keeping a notebook isn’t for everyone, of course. Some have physical restrictions that make writing by hand impractical, and if you’re prone to losing things, you’re probably better off with tools that allow for backups. Writers who keep notebooks have to be comfortable with a certain amount of chaos and inefficiency, but out of that chaos can come a playful serendipity that brings renewed focus, deeper contemplation, and revitalized creativity — all from putting pen to paper.

My current journal, open to the notes and brainstorming for this blog post.

Tips

• Choose materials you’re comfortable with. That might be a handmade leather journal or a black-and-white composition book, a pencil or a fountain pen. Different moods and projects can also call for different tools.
• Take it along. Try to choose a journal you can easily carry with you, or keep one at home and a smaller one in your bag.
• Play! Experiment with tools — write in pencil, marker, crayon. Try out prompts. Paste in pictures from magazines, cancelled stamps, ticket stubs. Make it part of your life, not just your writing life.

Supplies

• Paperblanks (my favorite journals!)
• Renaissance Art (handmade leather journals at affordable prices)
• Lovenotebooks
• Goldspot
• Jetpens

submitted by Foxes281
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Edit: A fighting arena

Exceptions: No magical abilities, hold items, or transformation benefits. (strength or otherwise)

Just hand on paw combat!

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What would you say to a sexy fur that you want to meet? Make them cheesy, cute, or naughty. Go!

I'll start us off; "Is it warm out here or are you in heat?" ;>

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I'm always really inspired seeing people's progress. Whether it's music, drawing, painting, crafts [fursuits/accessories] or whatever your hobby is. Whenever I'm down on my self, or uninspired, I like to find creative people and dig through their old stuff to see how far they've come. It's really motivational and helps set my head straight. It could be inspirational to dig up your stuff and see how far you've come! If you don't have old stuff and want to you could just post the newest thing you're most proud of. We're a creative bunch, so it could be anything!

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Hey all, your friendly neighborhood hare here! I had a YCH auction that didn't sell, so instead of trying to resell it I thought I'd have a raffle.

Here's the piece

Imgur Mirror

It's open for all species and genders. To enter you just need to post here, though I appreciate watches on FA too.

The winner will be drawn in 8 hours.

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Toss it through the Ringgar.

(I'm so sorry)

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