My writing laboratory: A notebook

One notebook that I keep isn’t for writing down my deepest thoughts and feelings (that’s what my diary is for), or even writing down story ideas. Instead, I use this notebook to write short stories. Nothing odd about that, right? But consider this: I get an idea for a short story, I open the notebook and I just write.

No outlining. No planning. I view this notebook as a means to not only hone my writing skills, but also to experiment with different narrative styles, wacky plot ideas and strange characters. If I write a crummy sentence, I just leave it. If I write an entire story that is crummy, I leave it and move on to the next story.

Since I started this notebook last year, I have noticed a big difference with my more "serious" fiction writing. Most notably, I’m more willing to go outside my comfort zone and try something new. And I’ve managed to quiet down my "inner editor" so when I’m writing, I can just write and enjoy the process rather than worry about if a story is any good.

Also, this notebook keeps me writing since I don’t just write in it when I feel inspired, and I always have a story in the works. I like to think of it as practice for the big game (what that "big game" is, I don’t know – a novel maybe?). When I’m writing, though, I try not to worry about anything other than the story at hand.

Do any of you keep a writing laboratory – whether it’s a beat up old spiral notebook like mine, or for you writing technogeeks out there, a special folder in your favorite word processing program? Leave a comment below and tell us how you practice your craft!

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