How I Use My Novel's Notebook

[@gamingninja5432]

Hey, I'm your new subscriber! Glad i found your channel. Keep growing 💗. Keep writing. Keep updating us. Love from India ❤.

[@CanyonHolgate]

Thanks for talking about One Stop for Writers. I had never heard of it, but it looks incredibly useful!

[@PagesandPens]

Oh you are so so welcome! It is AMAZING and I hope you get as much use from it as I do.

[@UNITEDJACKSONSFANS]

Ur process is interesting wish mine could be that organised. I take my hat off to plotters and those that can type their first drafts up on their computers. For me I handwrite all my stories, seems to flow clearer for me that way. I only write My story on the right hand side of my notebooks, as I leave the left for notes. I also have certain coloured pens for tasks 🙃 blue/black for actual story. Red for notes and purple is my cut/paste/delete. My notebooks end up looking like one of those crime scene boards with the strings u see on tv. 🤓

[@PagesandPens]

I'm in awe of your handwriting! My hand can't move as fast as my brain, but I'm sure my first draft would be cleaner if I had to spare my hand and be more careful with my words. I LOVE the right side for writing and left for notes method. I use that in a lot of my notebooks, too. Your method works for you, that's what matters!

[@bluovalgal]

Yes, thank you for sharing your notebooks!! That was really informative. I've been writing on and off the same story for the past three years or so and have been using an old journal for story ideas. I'm happy to know it's similar to what you do. I didn't think to use a different notebook for a different story... good tip!

[@PagesandPens]

Having a different notebook for each project has been really great for me. I hope its something you find useful, too, if you try it.

[@ChapterandConverse]

I love the "behind the scenes"! I find it so interesting to hear how other writers work. Also makes me realize how grossly disorganized I am...lol....but I do have notebooks for my books too. Would love to hear about how you use Scrivener. I did the trial a while back and am finally taking the plunge!

[@PagesandPens]

Congrats on diving into Scrivener! It's a lot to take in and my advice is to start slow! Use the basic functions and don't worry about the bells and whistles until you're ready to. I've been using it for years and still learn new things. lol

[@ChapterandConverse]

@@PagesandPens I definitely got overwhelmed when I was doing the free trial, but I need some structure in my writing life as I'm diving into revision. I'm not a linear writer so you can image the mess I'm dealing with 😂 Sorry I missed last night's LIVE but will keep an eye out for the next one!

[@deereadingwallflower1991]

This was such an interesting video! I loved it!

[@PagesandPens]

I'm so happy you enjoyed getting a look inside my messy brain, Dee. Also, I hope you're crushing your goals soon and that I see you in this Sunday night's sprint. 💜

[@deereadingwallflower1991]

@@PagesandPens I just saw you were hosting sprints Sunday and set a reminder!! Of course I’ll be there outlining a new project! See you then 😄

[@AmberMcManus]

This video is so informative I love it!

[@PagesandPens]

Glad you enjoyed it considering you pretty much already know my method lol

[@itsmaovinnehere]

although this video has been three years, I found this really helpful. I'm a new writer and I want to create my own story as well, I learned a lot here.

[@PagesandPens]

I'm so happy that you found it useful! There is a playlist of authortube/author videos on my channel and if you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out. I also host live writing sprints every Sunday at 8pm EST that you're more than welcome to join :)

[@laraotto916]

Enjoyed this.

[@PagesandPens]

So happy you did.

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

Ouu I loved getting insight to your notebook process. Do you find sections from your first book different from the most recent one? Anything you would change or add?

[@PagesandPens]

Each book has different "sections" based on what I need to learn about that story, the characters, or genre. It's a fluid thing and no two are the same. I let them grow on their own as individuals because sometimes I know more about a character than the setting and need more brainstorming on that. Other times I know the location exactly and don't have to brainstorm that but I need some plot hole brainstorm time. You get my drift. For right now, I'm not too focused on how they're organized, so if I really want to add a section, I just add a sticky and a new page and take notes as necessary. So in that sense I can remove and add as needed (pages can be torn out, but I would NEVER lol).

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

@Julie - Pages and Pens I love it! I can imagine your face if they did ever get ripped out 😂

[@SimranPahwa]

You should do another drunk book haul!! 😂💗

[@PagesandPens]

lol i don't hate the idea.

[@ScullyPop]

I'm old school - yellow pads 😊

[@PagesandPens]

I have an entire stack of those, too. But I learned that I toss them into bags and am too rough with them and the pages rip off/out. I can't handle losing information, so a bound notebook it is. But I LOVE that for you.

[@danikeebler1662]

I have to use notebook papaer and a three ring binder/dividers I can go back abd interject pages. If i write where there is space, it is crazy making. I also write old school wkth pen and lpaper. Iam old school..i also prefer the pen and paper because it taps into a parr of the brain a keyboard doesnt. It works a different part of the brain and i process it differently.

[@PagesandPens]

I absolutely understand. I always print out my first draft and do edits on paper so I get the other part of my brain working, too. But, for me, it's faster and easier to type out the first draft. I LOVE how many different methods there are for successful writing.