A writer’s notebook is an absolute essential for any type of writer, whether you’re a journalist or a dramatist. It’s an excellent way to keep notes of people or places you want to remember later, or to write in extensively. Whatever you choose to write, keeping a writing notebook will help you write everyday, which in turn will make you a stronger writer, and keep your creativity flowing, preventing writer’s block.

What should you put into your writer’s notebook? There are countless options! What follows is a look at different uses for your notebook, but remember, this list is neither exhaustive nor mutually exclusive – using your notebook for a diverse range of writing will only help you in the long run. The more exercises you try, the more writing skills you test and refine.

Jotted Descriptions, One-Liners, and Memory Triggers

These are quick, short notes you write to yourself, mostly to remember later on when you’re working on an actual piece of writing. You may want to record a line you hear someone say, a lyric from a song, or the perfect story title that occurred to you while you were riding the bus. Anything goes, and it may be very useful to your next story or play!