I love new notebooks. They contain such promise - but I think that is why so many of us don’t use them. I know I certainly have a shelf FULL of blank pages. But I’ve been watching Sarra of Heart Breathings on YouTube and she has been giving advice on how we can fill our notebooks with her video: H
I have a confession to make. I'm a sucker for cheat sheets. I think of them as personal consultants who keep me up to speed on topics I should know about - but don’t. I've actually memorized key points from them so I’d be able to contribute something to discussions on district issues or educational trends. Shameless, I know. But in a pinch, they're lifesavers! Of course, I don't wave them around or distribute copies of them to my colleagues. I just stash a few away in some easily-accessible spot so I can sneak a peek at them whenever I need some quick reminders or when I need to get the gist of something I didn't have time to study (sorta like the small collection of CliffsNotes which I never admitted to using in college). I justify my addiction to them by creating my own cheat sheets on topics I’m truly passionate about. The ones I spend months researching until I'm satisfied that I've consumed every morsel of information I can find - because my interest in those topics is insatiable. This makes me feel as if I’m part of a caring, sharing community of cheat-sheet-creating experts. And that makes me happy. So please grab a free copy of my Writer's Notebook cheat sheet and add it to your stash if you have one. If you don't, what are you waiting for? You can start that collection right now. You'll be hooked once you see how addictive useful they can be. Here's a short video (another way to grab info on the fly) which demonstrates how to set up Writers' Notebooks and how to use them to improve writing proficiencies. Hmmm...maybe I should have called this post The Cheater's Guide to Writer's Notebook. If you'd like to see some completed notebook pages, check out the first post in this series How I Turned Writing-Phobic Students into Writing Machines (or How Ralph Fletcher Rocked My World) Part 1. The next post in the Writer's Notebook series will be dedicated to the Collection Section. Here's a sneak peek at what you'll find there: How to take multi-genre collections from the pre-writing to the publishing stages of Writer's Workshop, How to use the collection section of the notebook as reference pages and pre-writing tools, and How to access three free collections that you can test drive in your classroom. Until next time…stay committed…teach with passion…and inspire students with who you are.
There is one thing I recommend to everyone learning to write. Create a writer’s notebook. Why? It’s crucial for writers to be consistent in their writing. A writer’s notebook is a fun way to get started and keep writing. All you need is a pen, notebook and some writer’s notebook ideas. Oh, and a willingness
Qualities of a Good Writer's Notebook: Before we get started on why you need a writer's notebook, let's investigate the "How?" You first need to purchase a high quality notebook. Well, you don't really need to. You can buy a simple composition notebook from the grocery store if that's what you prefer. However I suggest
Ten free online tools for creative writers that will help you stay productive, manage your time and stretch your imagination.
A writer's notebook is the perfect place to keep your inspiration, ideas, notes, and references to anything else you need for your next project!
What is a writer’s journal used for? It's a great way to inspire yourself through quotes, writing prompts, poems, pictures, or anything else you find interesting.
A writer's notebook is the perfect place to keep your inspiration, ideas, notes, and references to anything else you need for your next project!
What is a writer's notebook? Only the best way to organize your brain! Check out these tips for starting a writer's notebook.
Whether you keep things simple or create complex, artsy layouts, a writer’s notebook is the perfect tool for organizing your writing life!
Are you struggling to keep your story ideas and inspiration organized? Check out these tips for organizing a writer's notebook!
If you want to keep better track of your ideas, or get serious about regular creative brainstorming sessions, here's how to start a writer's notebook:
If you want to keep better track of your ideas, or get serious about regular creative brainstorming sessions, here's how to start a writer's notebook:
Inside the “buzzing, blooming chaos” of a brilliant mind at work.
Wondering how to start a writer's notebook? Click here to see what you should include when it comes time to start your writer's notebook.
Check out these writer's notebook ideas so you know what kinds of bullet journal collections you can create to hit your writing goals!
If you want to know how to write a book with no experience, this post shows you exactly how to get started writing. Yes, even without a degree.
This week I want to introduce you to another system that has really worked for me in the last year or so. It’s pretty simple, really: keeping a single notebook, instead of having multitudes of half-used notebooks laying around all the time. In 2017, I used this Marquis 300-page grid notebook. (Mostly, because it’s the …
Wondering if you're a real writer? You aren't a real writer unless you can pass this test. Give it a shot and see if you are a real writer!
I love new notebooks. They contain such promise - but I think that is why so many of us don’t use them. I know I certainly have a shelf FULL of blank pages. But I’ve been watching Sarra of Heart Breathings on YouTube and she has been giving advice on how we can fill our notebooks with her video: H
Have you made these common beginner writer mistakes? Here's how to eliminate them from your writing so you can write better stories.
Want to transform the book you're writing from an average one into a bestseller? Check out these 5 things you need to do.
Setting up a writer's notebook to collect all your creative ideas in an organized way. Work through the writing process with these easy tips!
A writer's notebook is the perfect place to keep your inspiration, ideas, notes, and references to anything else you need for your next project!
If you are a writer, you should have a writer's notebook where you can collect your ideas. Sure, most of us have a smartphone with great apps where we can write down ideas. But as writers, we should take care of the dying craft that writing by hand is.
Have you made these common beginner writer mistakes? Here's how to eliminate them from your writing so you can write better stories.
As a writer, you need to have one. Just like you should have a reading journal to help you become a better writer. But, what goes in a writer’s journal?
Scenes and chapters are useful markers as you draft your novel. But what's the difference and how long should they be?
There is one thing I recommend to everyone learning to write. Create a writer’s notebook. Why? It’s crucial for writers to be consistent in their writing. A writer’s notebook is a fun way to get started and keep writing. All you need is a pen, notebook and some writer’s notebook ideas. Oh, and a willingness
Picture this: a magical notebook that collects your lists of character names, rough draft progress meters, and memorable feedback from readers all in one place. Imagine being able to organize it and add new things as you go, without needing to allocate perfectly spaced sections ahead of time. There’s even a special page that helps you find whatever you’re looking for in seconds. That, my writerly friend, is the magic of a bullet journal.
Have you made these common beginner writer mistakes? Here's how to eliminate them from your writing so you can write better stories.
A writer's notebook is the perfect place to keep your inspiration, ideas, notes, and references to anything else you need for your next project!
Wondering what you need to do in order to become a successful writer? Letting go of these 5 things would be a great start.
The best books for writers to read cover a variety of topics from the spiritual aspects of writing, to daily life, to building new skills.
Hello, writer! It’s literally been years since I last posted about the reader favorite “writer’s notebook,” and I thought it was time for an update. If you haven’t read the post on writer’s notebooks and how to get started, go check out that post! // What is a Writer’s Notebook? Quick refresher: a writer’s notebook…
Keeping a writing journal is an essential practice for any aspiring writer. What should you write in it? Take a peek in my journal & start your own today!
The government is usually important to a story and in this guide, you will get tips and tricks on how to design a government for your world.
Need a writing prompt? Here are 10 awesome first line prompts for writers from The Busy Writer's Notebook from popular novels and a couple of children's books.
When in doubt, scrapbook.
Every writer makes mistakes. From typos to writing stuff that sucks, we’re all pretty human (although we tend to be less human than non-writers). Of course, new writers are especially prone to making mistakes. Most of these mistakes are easily correctable, but they can have a long-term impact on your writing career. Here are the … Continue reading Biggest Mistakes New Writers Make…And How to Fix Them
If you've ever asked yourself, "Am I a good writer?" then this post is for you. These 7 things tell the good writers from the bad.
Need some pointers on how to describe a busy street in writing? Here are 10 words that can help!
Writing teacher and author Darcy Pattison discusses writing novels and picture books. Tips, techniques and encouragement for the writing life.
The bullet journal can be a powerful tool, even for your writing. I know there are people out there who make whole bujos dedicated to writin...
Unlock your imagination with these unique short story ideas, where you will encounter mysterious characters, unexpected twists, and thought-provoking mysteries.
