The simple practice of keeping an idea notebook has been absolutely essential to my research and writing over the years, and it’s something I often recommend to thesis students and others who are starting a large complex project.
I designate a small spiral notebook as my idea catcher. It’s not for writing notes from texts or critical sources that I’m using, or for writing formal drafts. Instead, it’s for capturing my own ideas, which sometimes can seem elusive at certain stages of the writing process. I teach students several forms for distinguishing their own ideas from those of others in the note-taking process (such as writing a precis or using Cornell-style notes), and I use similar strategies myself. But the idea notebook is for those ideas that occur to you at odd moments of the day -- usually when you’re not at your desk.
Of course, your cell phone, smartphone, netbook, tablet, or other mobile device undoubtedly has one or more notepad or notetaking functions. You could also use Evernote to create an always-with-you “notebook.” But personally, I find that that the analog notebook works better for me for this purpose, both for quickly capturing my thoughts (I can scribble faster than I can Swype) and for skimming through old entries.
Some specific ways I use my idea notebook include:
- Jotting down questions, thoughts, and ideas that relate to my current research or possible future projects. I typically get better ideas while I’m cooking or exercising than I do when I sit down at my desk to think about something.
- Noting problems, questions, and doubts I have during the research process. Often I find my way to a solution while writing about the problem in just a few minutes. It’s also helpful to flip back and see that I tiptoed through the same Slough of Despond for a few days while writing the last chapter, and to realize it’s just part of my process.
- Journaling for 5-10 minutes at the start of my work session. I’ve found this to be a helpful way to get focused and in the right mental state for writing. Sometimes I just restate the key ideas for a project (“I am writing about X in order to show Y”); sometimes I set a specific goal for that morning’s work (“Today I want to figure out . . .”).
Pick a notebook that’s small enough to fit easily in your bag(s) but not so big that you will feel intimidated by its blank pages. I like 4"x7" or 5"x8" lined notebooks and have been a devoted Black n’Red user for several years. Whether it’s Moleskine or classic Mead that suits you, try keeping an idea notebook for a few months and see how it fits into your writing and research process.
Do you keep an idea notebook? Let us know in the comments!
[Creative Commons licensed image by flickr user simonov]
