Whenever I use paper I just buy something cheap from the Dollar store. Spiral bound notebooks so that I can jam a pen in the coil, and use it to mark my place as well. Anything too fancy and I felt myself reluctant to use it thinking my poor spelling would look awful in it.
A fave author of mine uses Moleskine. So I bought one thinking it'd inspire me; the thing was so nice in look and feel that I've kept it blank (save for a eulogy); mindful I'm not yet worthy and will only taint it. Any 'away from the computer writing' therefore takes place in cheap notepads (we have a pound shop @peachalulu (we're posh; it's like a dollar fifty store at current exchange rates ) mind you the pages seem to fall out too easily—so I'm likely being ripped off.
@SethLoki I know what you mean about Moleskine- they're so nice, and I used to have one, but I was terrified to use it. @Bookster the pocketmod is absolutely adorable, thank you for linking that site! I will definitely be using that for on-the-go brainstorming!
@DIRTROADFILMS I like the idea of a steno book since it is both cheap and portable. Thanks for the suggestion!
@Bookster that is a cool link, thanks for sharing. (I thought we weren't allowed to post links in the forums, but I guess I was wrong?)
My handwriting is so beyond horrible that I rarely write anything down on paper. I usually will jot a few word down in a pocket notebook and later expand those words on the computer.
As I understand it, it's OK to post links that relate to the content of your post. What's frowned upon is posting just a link or posting links of the prohibited kinds mentioned in the Rules.
I write my first drafts by hand. My preferred writing instrument is the fountain pen. I'm always looking for good, quality notebooks with paper that will take the ink. I like the Leuchtturm1917 notebook quite a bit. Just wonderful for writing. For a cheaper alternative, Caliber makes a top-bound spiral notebook that has heavy paper. It takes the ink well, but there is some see-through. What do the rest of you who write by hand like to use?
When I first saw your thread title, I thought you were suggesting we give a nickname to our notepads. I actually once had a dream that told me that unless I named my new alarm clock, it would not be effective. So I named my alarm clock Fluffy. Sadly it was not effective anyway. I use the Notes app on my iPhone for my writing. Haven't nicknamed it yet.
I use my trusty $6 mechanical pencil and whatever notebook I can find that is cheaper than that. (No quality book is worthy of the unreadable mess that I call a first draft.)
I can't write in pencil anymore. Used to do it all the time. Then when I worked in research it was verboten, and now it's pens only for me
I tend to use cheap, plain, spiral bound, college ruled notebooks. That said, I don't really like using cheap, plain, spiral bound, college ruled notebooks. I do most of my work on the computer because I can type faster than I can write, but I almost always keep some little memo pads around my desk and in my bags. So much of my life is written out in memo pads and sticky notes. And if I were to name my current journal.....I would probably name it "Neglected"
@Lilith Addington I can't use those, because fountain pen ink runs right through the paper. It's a mess! Otherwise I'd probably use them.
I've had a multitude of notebooks over the years. I tend to be partial to something that looks old-timie. Like an old leather-bound. A 1932 jade green laminated celluloid Parker Vacumatic has always been my pen of choice. I have another Vacumatic from 1935, black, with a wide gold guilloché patterned band on the cap (quite rare) that sometimes gets used instead.
I also use cheap, plain, spiral bound, college ruled notebooks. And cheap, plain, often yellow, mechanical pencils. I do all of my creating and outlining in my notebook. Important things are transferred to Scrivener, like the mile-long list of main characters, sub characters, bird characters, and barely mentioned characters. Also my character outlines, so I can easily access their history and origins while writing. I also do my first drafts on the computer. I have one notebook each for every book idea I have. For this one story alone, I have three, just full of ideas. Needless to say, I have a large stack of notebooks...
I have hundreds. Literally. I think we've spoken of this in the past. I used to collect them when I worked at an antiques auction house, and I taught myself to refurbish them. I've even had blank leather-bounds that were themselves antiques. Sometimes just the first couple of pages written in, sometimes never touched. The fellah I was dating at the time thought it was a crime to actually use them.
Yeah, I remember discussing it. I'll have to hit up some auction houses or antique stores and see if I can find any. The ones I have newer. Mostly Waterman. Wouldn't mind a Mont Blanc. Maybe someone will get me a Meisterstück as a present
Mont Blanc is overrated! No, no, no. If you want a newer pen, look at Pelican or Monte Grappa. For older pens, Parker reigns supreme. Sheaffer runs a close second. They had some beautiful pens too, back in the day. This is the place I get repair parts. Look at their selection of new and vintage pens. Pure decadence. http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/
I'll look at those brands you've mentioned. I've only ever wanted a Mont Blanc because of name recognition, and that they're supposed to be high quality. I've heard good things about Pelikan. Not familiar with Monte Grappa, though. I'll look into them. I like that Fountain Pen Hospital site a lot
I avoid handwriting as much as possible. The meds make my hands shake. I'm also never not around a computer, so it really hasn't ever turned into an issue for me.
I like to write with a fountain pen as well. My favorite notebooks are Rhodia brand. They really deal well with FP ink.
