Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:34:38 -0500

Basically, what the title says - what are you using, and what do you like using? I want some of the Piccadilly journals/notebooks so badly but they don't ship to the UK which is really depressing! I have a massively long blog post about what I like to use to write (http://fourwordsfourworlds.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/personal-preferences/, if anyone's interested) but this year... Whatever I have around I think. I have so many notebooks and pens and crap because I love the things. I really wanna try handwriting this year but I just don't think I'm going to get very far.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Wonder — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:27:55 -0500

I love notebooks! This NaNo I'm using the Maruman note de file ones. The best way to describe them is as loose-leaf notebooks -- you can move the pages around, but it's bound more like a notebook than like a binder. Pic here. Pretty, aren't they?

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kia_Zi_Shiru — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:01:40 -0500

Those are quite interesting. I will have to pick up a couple of small notebooks when I am back home since I can't find a narrow lined a5 notebook anywhere here :/ I write too small for the regular ruled ones and logging around a full sized notebook might not be a good idea...

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

AuroraLee — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:49:26 -0500

I picked up a few regular old college rule notebooks. I have a few moleskines too, but I think I will save them for something less messy (they're the star wars ones!) For pens I'll be using my fountain pen at home and pilots away :)

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

ShadowyWaters — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:29:45 -0500

This year I will be using a classic moldy skin notebook. I find the feel of the powdery mold against the putrefying skin very sensual, and the smell is to die for. I’ll just grab a quill, open a vein and let rrrip (God I love that sound).

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

ArOhBeWyEn — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:16:21 -0500

I'm incredibly low-maintenance when it comes to my notebooks and pens. For pens I adore the Zebra F-301s; I actually buy refills for them on a regular basis. However, I am comfortable with any number of cheap pens (ballpoint; I can't stand pilots because they bleed so much!) like Bics or Papermates. Any lined paper notebook will do--usually whatever I have on hand for classes! I always carry a pocket Moleskine (or similar-sized notebook) around with me in my purse for those spontaneous moments of inspiration. Apart from the Moleskine, however, my requirement for my notebooks is that they are spiral bound or otherwise perforated! I psychologically need the ability to rip it out, or else I don't feel free to write.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:27:37 -0500

I would love to try one of those Maruman note de file notebooks... They definitely look interesting! I have no idea where to get them though, and no idea if I could get them in the UK at all. I've recently discovered a love for fine point pens and A6 notebooks; though currently I'm actually doing my planning on some paper I took out of a cheap exercise book (pack of five for about £1 from Staples I think, had them so long I forget) using a Bic Cristal Gel Medium (love these pens, like a biro but not and a nice sized barrel. I hate thin barrels, makes my hand hurt.)

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

AuroraLee — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:01:31 -0500

I love ball points if the blue is dark and writes well. My problem with them is that I write too hard which kills my hand (not literally of course... well, maybe...). Fine for most times but not intense Nano-ing! Pilots, gel pens, etc. make me/allow me to write 'normally' and longer. I also carry a tiny notebook around everywhere for ideas (though I haven't had many lately :( ). If I'm 'travelling light' I at least have an iPhone and I record my ideas there so I don't forget (because I will!) and then transfer them to the notebook when I get home.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

jennickels — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:00:55 -0500

I actually prefer a 5x7 (or close to it) sized notebook but they're hard to find in college rule so I've resorted to just using regular old notebooks that I buy my kids for school (cheap at like 10 for $1 at Target during back to school time). For pens I prefer the gel kind and I like blue. I write so much more when it's in blue. I have no idea why but when I run out of blue and I'm forced to write in black I stumble over my words. Also regular ball point pens take too much force to write with and my hand cramps up so it has to be gel. Unfortunately I'm out of gel pens right now and out of money, too. Hopefully I can pick up a pack before November.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

teh603 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:07:04 -0500

I've been using plastic-covered Mead notebooks for a while now- the ones with the plastic cover on the front and fabric covering the spiral. I don't use ballpoints anymore, at least more than I have to. I use old-style fountain pens and keep a variety of colored inks on hand. I buy Noodler's Ink from a local stationery story because they're pH neutral and you get a huge three-ounce bottle. Although some of my el-cheapo fountain pens are starting to break and stuff, so I might have to buy something more expensive soon... /sigh

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Mikeala — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:12:02 -0500

I tend to use loose leaf notebook paper, college ruled, and whatever writing utensil happens to be around. My ideas flow better when I write as opposed to typing.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

CarolinaWriter — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:12:53 -0500

My favorites are Clairefontaine or Rhodia with Black n Reds as a close second. I write with fountain pens - my favorite being a Parker 51.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

The_Seventh_Sage — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:39:18 -0500

I'm actually really picky about what I use :P. I like wide ruled better than Mead college ruled notebooks. The paper is better and brighter. I also like composition notebooks (not the cheap ones that fall apart after five uses). That's what I'm using this year. As for writing utensils, this is where it can get tricky.

If it's a regular, wooden pencil- Dixon Ticonderoga, #2 If it's a mechanical pencil- BIC mostly, unless I find something else that I really like. If it's a pen- anything, unless I don't like it. Paper Mate and BIC are my favorite, but there are other ones that I can use/tolerate. I LOVE BIC's Soft Tool pen, the pen that's kind of all rubber on the outside. BUT, Paper Mate's Profile Elite is right now my favorite (along with the Paper Mate Elite). Unison and Signo are also pretty good. BIC's Atlantis is pretty nice too. Well, there you have it. If a pen isn't one of those, or isn't a new one that I like, I won't use it. I'm picky about my writing utensils. Not so much the paper, but definitely whatever I hold in my hand :D.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

CarolinaWriter — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:50:33 -0500

Yup, I have to have wide ruled paper - college rule is much too small!

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

infraredphaeton — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:10:16 -0500

For me, a campus A5 notebook from Typo. It's got marks for date and subject, which I find useful for NaNo, because it helps me keep track of scenes. Also, it's spiral bound, which is a must. I find it difficult to write in non-spiral bound notebooks. As for pens, I'm keeping my trusty black BIC Pro+, and pencil-wise, it has to be mechanical. As I usually only use notebooks for, well, notes, that should be fine for this year.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Fiona W — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:46:26 -0500

I'm partial to those fancy hardcover blank journals (no lines for me, thank you) that close with a magnetic flap—like these. I can see the appeal of spiralbound, but I got zapped too many times as a child by nasty cheap spiralbounds that had unraveling, sharp pointy wires. As for pens, I'm a fountain pen gal, and I absolutely cannot write without an italic nib. I've been using fountain pens with italic nibs since the old Osmiroids back in the 1970s. These days, I especially like Lamy Safaris: they only cost about 30 bucks, and they're a class act.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Fiona W — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:49:24 -0500

I don't know why that link isn't working, the one for the magnetic-flap journals, but here's the URL: http://tinyurl.com/433g4st

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

girlboxer5 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:10:15 -0500

Words cannot express my love for the new generation of composition books. The covers are so pretty now! Polka dots, butterflies, flowers, nice stripes... And they're cheap, so I don't fear writing a ton of garbage in them. Pair them with Uniball Vision Micro pens and/or the Pilot FriXion and Uniball Fanthom erasable pens, and I'm in primitive heaven!

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Fantasy-Is-Reality — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:17:31 -0500

First time hand writer here. I'm going to be using the A4 Jotta pad from Pukka. I've tried writing other things on A5 pads before and it doesn't work for me, I prefer the full size sheets. As for my pens? They're just the usual Bic mediums in black.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:45:26 -0500

@Fantasy-Is-Reality - don't Pukka Pads have the nicest paper? I have one of their Project Books that I use for letter writing and it's just so smooth :D

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

FallenRedNinja — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:03:45 -0500

The Typo notebooks are so pretty! And so very nice to write in. I'm using one of the A4 ones with subject dividers for my NaNo

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

krudyard — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:12:56 -0500

I have a small spiral-bound notebook with me wherever I go - it's proved very useful for those sudden ideas.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Wonder — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:16:20 -0500

I'm in Australia and we're usually the last to get anything interesting, so I'm sure you'll be able to find some in the UK. I got them from Kinokuniya Books and Stationery, not sure if there's one of those shops near you but maybe have a look at some Japanese shops?

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

VigilantMeadow — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:35:52 -0500

I am incredibly picky when it comes to notebooks! I currently have a set of 5 Imagine notebooks, 4 of which are filled. My current one is blue and it has lots of fabulous stickers on the front. I refuse to use any other kind of notebook, but I'm running out of colors now :'( I have a green one, yellow one, orange one, purpley-pink one, and now my blue one. I write a decent amount of my novel in my notebook at school when I should be studying for tests and whatnot xD course, then I type it up on my lovely laptop Collin later.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Lyria2 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:23:22 -0500

Whew! I'm glad I'm not the only one who MUST have wide-ruled! College ruled makes my writing too cramped, and then not even I can read it.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

emshorton — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:02:56 -0500

My Uncle is my biggest Nano supporter and bought me a beautiful hardback (lined) notebook with a magnetic flap - designed to look like an old leatherbound renaissance book. It's from www.paperblanks.com and they come in lots of styles. yummy. plus I just today discovered that they come with a handy pocket in the back to slip in any additional notes you've collected on the go (scraps of paper, backs of receipts, newspaper articles etc) highly recommended. oooh plus it has one of those inbuilt ribbon bookmarks. lovely.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Fantasy-Is-Reality — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:58:49 -0500

I adore them! I have the project one for things I steal from adoption topics and a normal one for writing in.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:33:20 -0500

I -love- the Paperblanks notebooks. I have several myself :D I think they often work out a little cheaper than the Moleskines and I think they're prettier.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

linguisticAuxiliatrix — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:22:00 -0500

I'm a big fan of Ecojot notebooks - apart from the spiral-bound notebooks, which are lovely but useless to an awkward lefty like me - because they're cheap and cute and the paper is thick enough that my ink doesn't bleed through. Fountain pen user here - a nice weighty one at home and cheap WH Smith cartridge pens on the go, because I cannot take a pen anywhere without losing it.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

DaleyNotGeorge — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:05:59 -0500

Haha, bless this post.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Breezy — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:18:56 -0500

Oh my goodness, I have serious notebook issues. It started because I've been keeping a journal- and writing stories- since my 9th birthday. My family and friends noticed that I was always writing in notebooks, so they started giving them to me as presents. Add to that my own habit of occasionally buying ones that I like, and even my prolific writing practices couldn't keep up. I amassed quite the collection of blank notebooks, most of which I gave away this summer (I still have quite a few, though). Right now I tend toward spiral bound notebooks because I like to write in class and it's easier if I can bend the notebook around itself and only show one page at a time. That being said, my current journal is a Pentalic bound sketchbook. My other requirement is paper that my pens won't bleed through (I write so much each day between fiction and journaling that if I used ballpoints, my hands cramp up fast). I use mostly fine-nibbed fountain pens (I have a Pilot, a Platinum Preppy, and a generic italic nib from a craft store) or smooth-writing gel pens/rollerballs. For nano, I'm thinking about getting a big Five-Star 5 subject notebook. It'll be heavy to carry around, but I have a big backpack, and I want to have plenty of room.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

kat716 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:20:59 -0500

I use the yellow legal pads. They're bound on top and fit perfectly on a clipboard. I don't like spiral-bound, 'cause I usually hold it in my left hand, which means a) I squish the spiral and b) I have wire imprints on my thumb.... ow. I write with a Dr Grip pen. Nice fat squishy grip and refillable, so you can use it for 10 years. (Literally. I have one that old.) I use fine point because I have very scribbly writing and it's easier to read later in fine than in medium.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

volcana — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:50:45 -0500

I bought a nice notebook last year. I forget who makes it, and handily enough, I got it at Borders, which is now closed. But it's leather, with 'write' embossed all over the cover. It's pretty nice, but I kinda wish I had gotten a spiral bound one, which would be easier to write in. But I usually just use this one for notes, so it works out. Pens.. I have a nasty tendency to lose these, so I use cheap ones. It makes me sad, because I would love to have a really *nice* pen.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

zemoszi — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:30:02 -0500

I usually like to write with college-ruled paper because my handwriting is small, so it looks double-spaced. That way it's easier to squeeze in passages I might've missed or to do some editting (not in November, I promise!). I'm actually really tempted to buy of those mini binders at Staples... I typically write with mechanical pencils, but I think that I'll switch to pens for November. Anyone know any lefty-friendly pens? As in, a pen that doesn't smudge, but still writes smoothly? Writing my entire novel backwards would be amusing, but difficult. Also, what with Moleskines? I've never used one before, but it seems like quite a few people are enamered with them. What makes them so special?

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

sungaya — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:43:10 -0500

I love to write into my Moleskine, but I don´t want to typewrite it ( I hope that´s right, excuse me I´m not the best English-student ^^ ) So I will write it on the laptop, last year I had a really big macintosh, so I had to stay in one place. sungaya

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

WileJ — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:24:04 -0500

A couple years ago I started using Five Star composition notebooks and I haven't gone back. They're smaller than the normal notebook, are not annoyingly spiral bound, and I can get them college ruled. I hate wide rule - would never fit the whole novel in there for some reason. This year's notebook is green, with some lovely silver duct tape to hold the outer binding together (the one flaw of these notebooks. The outer black binding sticky things never stay put so I have to tape them). And intriguingly I've found a weights and measures conversion chart in the back of the notebook that I will probably be using at some point. How's that for useful?

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Generalist — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:38:38 -0500

I love the leather bound notebooks with the fancy leatherwork, especially celtic knotwork. Alas, I write too much to make it cost effective. As a result, I use college ruled notebook paper and pressboard covers to package the results when they are done.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

yatsu — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:47:37 -0500

well, i generally make my own with some unlined strathmore sketch paper, but for this particular NaNo, i'm using the notebook that came with the Camp NaNo care package. it's actually really nice, the paper's got some tooth to it, stuff doesn't bleed through that much, and the covers are super sturdy. i've been using my pilot petit1 (the tiny fountain pen), which normally bleeds all over the place (darned pilot ink!) but it's basically behaving itself on this paper. i also have an ohto tasche that i bought a while back (jetpens for the win/broke!) and i do like that thing. ~meredeth.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Puddles21 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:36:15 -0500

I also suffer from writing too hard, specially when inspired. I found that using a fountain pen stops me doing this. I picked up a plastic one for ten dollars but love it so much I think I need a nice one for nano.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Princessadora — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:59:02 -0500

I have a huge collection of journals and pens but this year for nano I have a moleskine notebook red with lines (I would not be able to read writing if it was unlined) and I have a variety of pens. first I have a collection of paper mate pens multi colored. Second I have several good pens most I have had engraved with my name. If I run out of room in my notebook from my notes, I'll just go to the back up black book I have. Same thing but in black.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

lvs2read — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:56:25 -0500

Those are gorgeous!

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Princessadora — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:44:25 -0500

[quote=zemoszi] I usually like to write with college-ruled paper because my handwriting is small, so it looks double-spaced. That way it's easier to squeeze in passages I might've missed or to do some editting (not in November, I promise!). I'm actually really tempted to buy of those mini binders at Staples... I typically write with mechanical pencils, but I think that I'll switch to pens for November. Anyone know any lefty-friendly pens? As in, a pen that doesn't smudge, but still writes smoothly? Writing my entire novel backwards would be amusing, but difficult. Also, what with Moleskines? I've never used one before, but it seems like quite a few people are enamered with them. What makes them so special? [/quote] http://www.moleskine.com/ will give you pictures and details of the journal notebook brand. They're one of the best journal/notebooks I've used.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

khar_ghatten — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:51:54 -0500

I don't normally write by hand, but this year I kind of have to. The only time I have to write of when I'm on the bus, which is about 3-4 hours a day. But since I have to take 2 buses and a train twice a day, my laptop just isn't feasible.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

etiennefayth — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:30:30 -0500

I got my very first Moleskine as a birthday present this year, and I adore it. It's a large, ruled black soft cover. The lines are the perfect size, is feels so lovely to the touch, the bookmark is very handy I love how it has lots of pages, and is well made enough to withstand me using it for that long (normally I get half way through a notebook and it looks destroyed).

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

burntchurro — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:55:40 -0500

I'm actually a huge fan of those composition books we used in elementary school that sell for 20 cents. It's not intimidating to write in and pretty much lays flat. Only thing is the pages are a bit thin.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

jenniesisler — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:30:39 -0500

First of all, let me say I'm SO glad I'm not the only one who uses notebooks. I literally cannot think and type at the same time...it's like my brain works better and is more creative if my thoughts can travel from my to a pencil or pen. Anyway, I was recently gifted with a gorgeous Rhodia webnotebook and pencil, so I have dedicated them to Nano. What I like best about the webnotebook is that even as hard as I can press with a pencil, there is minimal pencil transfer from one page to the next.I use pretty much any kind of notebook or paper (although I like the fancier stuff!), but I don't type until I get my thoughts on paper first. Might I suggest http://notebookstories.com for your Nano procrastination pleasure?

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:16:32 -0500

[quote=jenniesisler] Might I suggest http://notebookstories.com for your Nano procrastination pleasure? [/quote] I had a look at their 'notebook addict of the week' posts and I think that I could give a lot of them a run for their money. I have 60? Maybe closer to 70 now? And thats just my empty ones! Maybe i should dig them all out and take some photos. For procrastination purposes. ~Ken-Ren

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

kimmci — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:54:07 -0500

I prefer standard spiral bound A4 notebooks. My current one is green. I spill so much coffee when I write I don't see the point in using an expensive notebook for a first draft. I also use ballpoints because they are so easy to come by if I misd one.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

spuriouslegend — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:45:04 -0600

I picked up a Leuchtturm "Master" Notebook for Nano this year. I've been a die-hard Moleskine user, but I adore this notebook. First of all it is HUGE! I can easily hide 8.5"x11" sheets inside it. It's a little wider rule and the paper takes ink very well.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Penemuel — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:30:42 -0600

My apologies to the OP... I'm using small (5.5" x 3.5") Piccadilly hardcover notebooks, square-ruled because I write very small & don't want the waste of paper wider ruled paper causes. I fit an average of 125 words per page. I stocked up on them when our Borders closed, and have a feeling I might use all of the ones I have. I started writing at the back of the book (I'm a leftie) -- there's a picture of it so far, here: http://t.co/MGGuluu

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Penemuel — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:36:36 -0600

[quote=zemoszi] I typically write with mechanical pencils, but I think that I'll switch to pens for November. Anyone know any lefty-friendly pens? As in, a pen that doesn't smudge, but still writes smoothly? Writing my entire novel backwards would be amusing, but difficult. [/quote] I have to ask, as a leftie myself, how on EARTH can you write in pencil without having the entire thing smudge like crazy? I just can't do it myself, even with a .3 lead! For good smooth pens, I'd suggest a Pentel EnerGel needle point pen. They have a liquid ink that dries quickly, and the needle point is .5 and perfect for small writing (I use one all the time at work!). You can get them here: http://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-EnerGel-Needle-Point-Liquid-Ink-Pens/ct/689 There's also the Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens, which are amazing, come in a number of point sizes and tons of colours: http://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Hi-Tec-C-Gel-Ink-Pens/ct/284

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:58:51 -0600

[quote=Penemuel] My apologies to the OP... I'm using small (5.5" x 3.5") Piccadilly hardcover notebooks, square-ruled because I write very small & don't want the waste of paper wider ruled paper causes. I fit an average of 125 words per page. I stocked up on them when our Borders closed, and have a feeling I might use all of the ones I have. I started writing at the back of the book (I'm a leftie) -- there's a picture of it so far, here: http://t.co/MGGuluu [/quote] I am very jealous, but hopefully one say they'll ship to the UK and I'll be happy. I can't find the note de files ones anywhere online that will ship to the UK either D: Why is all the cool stuff in the States?! :( ~ Ken-Ren

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

nezumi13 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:15:52 -0600

I've got a legal pad cause when i finish each page i rip it out and put it in an orange folder. ripping the pages out makes me feel accomplished.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Helenia — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:34:45 -0600

I use one of those too! Legal pads, they were on sale at some office supply store, so I have about a million of them in my house. I use one for notes, one for graphic novel ideas, one for random doodles, and now I have one for my novel. I've written most of my book on the computer, however I don't want to bring electronics on the airplane when I travel, so I’m just bringing my trusty note pad.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Penemuel — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:05:06 -0600

Of course, notebooks are also much more secure in the 'data loss' area, unless you have a fire, drop it in a muddy street (or spill your coffee on it!) or are out writing in a sudden downpour/hailstorm/tornado. And they can't get computer viruses, or give you a blue screen of death. :D It may be a pain in the neck to type everything in later, and annoying to count words, but I really do love handwriting more than composing on the computer.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

The Madlib Hatter — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:30:16 -0600

I'm using both my netbook and loose-leaf college ruled paper. Really, when I hand-write things, I have a nasty habit of using one of the following: 1. A red pen (Dun dun duuunnnnn!) 2. An obnoxiously bright gel pen. Yes, I have used yellow before. Recently, in fact. 3. BLOOD! Just kidding. XDD 4. Pencil crayons 5. Markers I can't really be picky with what I write with, as I lose all of my good stuff fairly quickly.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Imahydin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:49:37 -0600

I always feel more like a "real" writer when I actually, you know, write. My weapon of choice is generally a black Pilot G2 and I use it to attack whatever notebook I happen to be working in. Currently that's a 5 subject college ruled notebook w/ black covers at front and back and an "Ultimate" logo in the bottom right of the front cover. I used to like an ultra fine refill for my G2's, but I can only find the one kind these days.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

SeahorsePond — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:59:05 -0600

Ooh, I like 3! Must be hard to read stuff written in yellow ink.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

SeahorsePond — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:02:50 -0600

I'm using a neon orange three-ring binder for my writing. I've been printing my lined paper off from a computer so I kinda needed it. It didn't have to be neon orange, but at least it's hard to lose!

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

skohne16 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:36:39 -0600

I love writing in 1 subject college rule notebooks. When they go on sale at back to school time I stock up because I use them at work too. I have typed some of my novel on the computer but I'm struggling. So I figured I would give handwriting it a try. Plus if I want to write on the go it will have to be in a notebook. I don't own nor can I afford a laptop.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Coffee_Mate — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:12:44 -0600

I tend to stay cheap when it comes to paper, so that means school notebooks and loose leaf paper (I also stock up every fall during back-to-school sales :D).

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Penemuel — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:18:27 -0600

Filled up one notebook with 20149 words (made a note in the back with the title, word count, and dates of writing), and am now on to the second one. I should have about 2 1/2 full by the time I hit 50k. Now all I have to do is catch up from the useless weekend that just passed...

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:11:39 -0600

Does anyone know wherre I can get one of those note de file notebooks? Somewhere that ships to the UK?

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:49:03 -0600

I don't hand-write my novels, but I do love taking notes and all that. As a reward for reaching 50k, I went to Staples and decided to try out their new "arc" customizable notebook system. Got the junior-size notebook, as well as a pack each of the project planner, to do, and graph ruled sheets, a pack of the tabbed dividers, and a pack of the task pads. Has anybody else use the arc notebooks, and what do you think of them? I'm worried about ripping the tabby things that hold them to the ring all to shreds, but the paper does seem pretty sturdy.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Scylax — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:58:35 -0600

Why oh why did I start reading this thread? I have a notebook obsession, though for NaNo I type. My favourites were an executive range ASDA used to make, but now they've reduced the quality and ruined them :( For school-work, I don't think anything beats the Oxford Notebook range. For many years I resisted the lure of the moleskine notebook - they look good, but I don't think the paper is good enough. But since I discovered the Pilot Hyperfine C-gel pen, I'm using some successfully for the first time. But my latest love is the Leuchturrm 1917 (Sorry if I spelt that wrong). They come in great colours, in quadrille rule, feel perfect in my hands, have loads of pages, and wonderful useful features such as tables of contents and page numbers. For about the same price as a moleskine. So I'm hooked. And now I read this, and there's about seven more I want to try! But I can't find anywhere that sells those note de file ones in the UK :(

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Wonder — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:54:59 -0600

Have any of you seen this article? I thought it was quite nice.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:23:25 -0600

[quote=Wonder] Have any of you seen this article? I thought it was quite nice. [/quote] I liked that :) I love Pukka Pad paper for my fountain pens, but I'm wondering if there are notebooks out there with much better suited paper? And could someone tell me what a "web-book" is please? ~Ken-Ren

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:41:53 -0600

OH MY GOD I found some of those Piccadilly.Inc notebooks in my local T.K. Maxx today! I was hunting around in the book section and I saw one, then another, then another! So I brought a few that I'd been looking at on the website including a really nice one with a peacock on it. Couldn't find all the ones I liked but I found some! A small Christmas miracle I think. Sorry... I was just so amazed to find some here that I got really excited and wanted to share. ~Ken-Ren

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

RedRen — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:33:47 -0600

i have a black moleskin wiating to be filled but all my drafting gets done in the fivestar composition note books with bend plastic covers. i love how they work and the only problem is the cloth binding cover coming off when in a damp environment, but i solved that with a little bit of liquid nails ;)

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:52:13 -0600

I just received a Clairefontain notebook that I ordered. OH MY GOD. Smoothest paper ever. And I haven't even written on it yet, just rubbed my cheek over it lovingly. ~Ken-Ren

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

JamakusaiKitsune — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:51:17 -0500

I always love handwriting first drafts and whatnot. This year my mum made me this notebook cover thing - it's like 2 seperate canvas sheets of notebook sized that have rings in them so you can make it into a book for looseleaf and all. She used some pearl dies or something so the cover's all pink & purple & blue, it looks awesome. Looking forward to using it all year, particually for the Camps and NaNo! Pics later =)

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:26:07 -0500

[quote=JamakusaiKitsune] I always love handwriting first drafts and whatnot. This year my mum made me this notebook cover thing - it's like 2 seperate canvas sheets of notebook sized that have rings in them so you can make it into a book for looseleaf and all. She used some pearl dies or something so the cover's all pink & purple & blue, it looks awesome. Looking forward to using it all year, particually for the Camps and NaNo! Pics later =) [/quote] Ooooh. That sounds pretty. Can't wait to see some pictures! ~Ken-Ren

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

myviolettears — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:44:30 -0500

I love Marbig ColourHide notebooks. A4, five subject. I colour code things. I do like the ones from Typo though... :/

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:13:14 -0500

I've recently fallen for the Rhodia dotted pads and the Oxford notebooks - y'know, the one with Optik/Optic paper? Unf. Love those. ~ Ken-Ren

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Penemuel — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 06:38:46 -0500

[quote=Kenouni Renashin] I've recently fallen for the Rhodia dotted pads and the Oxford notebooks - y'know, the one with Optik/Optic paper? Unf. Love those. ~ Ken-Ren [/quote] I LOVE Rhodia dot pads - if you want to write small you can, if you want to write large you can, without feeling constrained the way you do with lined notebooks. Lovely idea that I wish more places would use.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Scylax — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:54:48 -0500

I love the Optik paper from Oxford. A couple of years back I stocked up (and I mean *really* stocked up) on loads of them during the Tesco back-to-school sale, and I'm so glad I did, because the prices have soared. Don't get me wrong, they're still a good price and worth it, but I picked up for 50p what I'd have to pay £3 for now. So if you see a good deal, jump on it :) I love the Rhodia dotted pads, too, but they are too expensive for me to think of using them all the time.

Re: Notebooks (and the ilk) - the paper kind

Kenouni Renashin — Sat, 12 May 2012 05:05:00 -0500

[quote=Scylax] I love the Optik paper from Oxford. A couple of years back I stocked up (and I mean *really* stocked up) on loads of them during the Tesco back-to-school sale, and I'm so glad I did, because the prices have soared. Don't get me wrong, they're still a good price and worth it, but I picked up for 50p what I'd have to pay £3 for now. So if you see a good deal, jump on it :) I love the Rhodia dotted pads, too, but they are too expensive for me to think of using them all the time. [/quote] Oh, that Optik paper's awesome. It's very fountain pen friendly too, and really shows off the fountain pen inks. Yum. I picked up a handful of the A6 ones in WHSmiths for drafting my blog posts. And then a big fat "refill" style pad of the paper because it seems to be narrow ruled and I'm craving that at the moment. Wheee! I might use the pad for Camp. We'll see. ~Ken-Ren