I do hope dear Steven doesn’t mind my shamelessly copying so many of his category titles, but he comes up with such good ones!
I especially like “Commonplace Book.” Steven is only the third person I’ve ever heard use that phrase. I first encountered it in college, in a little article in Victoria magazine. A commonplace book is basically a personal book of favorite quotations. The magazine featured books that were true works of art, decorated and illustrated by their owners. That kind of intimidated me from starting my own — I would keep putting it off for when I had time to copy each entry in perfect Italic calligraphy, with appropriate illustrations. Meanwhile, I just kept sticking copies of poems I liked into a file folder (a folder I recently discovered I’d lost! ARRRRGH!) I finally started a new book the other day (one entry so far.)
Many people are comparing blogs to commonplace books, and I certainly see the similarities. But the humble notebook still has its advantages as well…..
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I looked at a digital baby book thingie last night at Babies R Us. I couldn’t deal with the Snoopy one we bought for various reasons and I have given up on prefab baby books since then. This one seemed more customizable, less easy to mess up, and less likely to contain pictures of Mama Snoopy being directed to push by some OB with a nurse holding a bottle of formula at the ready. (Okay, so I made part of that up, but you know what I mean.)
Anyway, I had the same thought as you, “But the humble notebook still has its advantages as well.” Although I think the main advantage in my mind was its humility, and its connection to the past, and its seemingly greater warmth. And that I know I never get around to making hard copies of stuff so I should start with one. Your advantages may vary.
Sorry, I always take some extremely minor point of a post and comment away.
Dear Peony,
I am delighted to have been of service. My category names are in a constant state of effervescent flux. However, commonplace book will always remain, essentially unchanged, as it has always been a critical part of my life as writer.
shalom,
Steven