Notebooks. I love 'em. I've had sketchbooks, journals, and notebooks since I was able to draw/write and that hasn't changed in the last 20 years. In fact, when I was younger, I had a habit of collecting notebooks but leaving them half-filled (such a waste). I still do that to this day, but I've gotten a lot better about conserving paper and taking more time to write. I've always been a dreamer and a thinker and I get extremely frustrated when I don't have an outlet to express myself or jot down ideas, projects, thoughts, or conversations, so I always carry a notebook with me.
Pocket Moleskine notebooks for travelling
Sure, I can type out notes on my iphone, laptop, or blogspot--but it's really not the same. There's something about taking a pen, watching the ink hit the paper, and words appear. It's a whole different physiological response that excites my brain. Austin Kleon and other artists prefer analog to digital (and sometimes balancing with a bit of both while they work) and I plan on keeping it that way. I can tell when I'm upset--my handwriting even looks frantic and traces of last week's writing is still embossed on several pages thereafter. I can look at that page and instantly remember the happenings of that day. One a happy day, my handwriting is light and airy with a lot of exclamation points and LOTS OF CAPITALIZATION BECAUSE I'M SO HAPPY AND EXCITED! Other days you can actually see dried up tears on the paper (yep, I was in grad school--didn't anyone tell you that it's full of tears and despair?). The point is, writing is much different than writing.
I use Michael Rogers' Decomposition notebooks for academic writing and note-taking. They're basically the same as the classic composition notebook except they have creative covers.
As I started drawing again, I bought several sketchbooks for creating:
One sketchbook for painting...(that's one of my best friends, Mel!)
Another sketchbook for [water]color pencil and ink (Northern Lights)
I also have a ton of fun notepads. You might be able to tell from my previous post that I am in love with post-its and cute/witty stationary.
My favorite notebook is actually a planner/organizer. I already have a planner, so I use this as a diary/journal. The Slingshot organizer is great for jotting down notes and also learning about historical moments. You can purchase the Slingshot Organizer from Urban Bazaar SF or AK Press.
By the way, here are some other reasons why folks keep notebooks:
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