One of my most invaluable tools as a writer is my writer's notebook. If I "run out of" story ideas, I can just go to my notebook and pick one from dozens that I've jotted down over the years. If I can't remember how something smells, tastes, or feels, I can go to my notebook and look in my sensory log. If I need encouragement, I can look at my notebook and see inspirational quotes and my progress over the last year. It's the place I jot down ideas for my world building when I'm in a movie and see something cool, where I can put interesting bits of news that might become story ideas one day, and where I can keep just about anything that will help me as a writer to do the one thing I need to do: write.

A writer's notebook is one of the most essential tools a writer can have. And it can be anything - from a 3 ring binder to a expanding file to a day planner. My notebook is a day planner. In it I have a calendar; reminders about how I write (including a brief summary of each stage of how to novel plot build); lists of names, quotes, and story ideas; sections for each series of novels I'm planning to write; my address book; and DVDs with backups of my work. My entire life is in that book, and writing is a part of my life so it goes into the book as well.

It may take you a little time and a number of different set ups to figure out what kind of notebook you need. When I started my world building for Alden, it was all files on my hard drive. Then they all were printed out and placed in a single notebook. Now I have 5 different binders, each covering certain areas of my world building. My writer's notebook started off as a 5 x 7" day planner, but I've recently realized I need to get one of the bigger ones because it's just easier to use for listing and tracking my goals. So experiment until you find a notebook that works for you. Perhaps start with a 5 subject spiral bound notebook with pockets (the pockets are important). If it doesn't work, graduate to a 1 - 2" binder. Your notebook can be anything that works for you; all that matters is that you have one.

Once you have a notebook, it's time to fill it. Here's some things you can put into your notebook:

» Write down story ideas as soon as you get them, no matter how lame they seem. You never know when you may need one or when a "lame" idea will develop into something wonderful.

» Collect newspaper clippings of news stories, or even just titles and blurbs, that can become stories: "Dog up a tree: Little girl gets away after dog follows her into a tree and gets stuck." You have to wonder about some of those stories. and make sure to do the same for TV news - you just have to write it in yourself.

» Keep a sensory journal. Ever needed to remember how a family restaurant differed from a classy restaurant in sound, smell, taste, and style? Visit Denny's and write down everything you experience. Then stop by a Red Lobster. A Del Taco. Get it all: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

» Images. Either take and keep photographs that can prompt a story, or clip images from magazines.

» Names and phrases. I have a list of names in my book that I add to all the time. when I use a name it gets crossed off. I also write down metaphors and other neat turns of phrases that either I come up with or love from other authors. I just make sure to note when a phrase isn't mine so I know not to use it word for word.

» Notes on process. I keep the stages of my novel plot building method in my book, as well as notes on what and how to revise, URLs to good writing sites, and other similar, practical research and writing helps.

» Notes and quotes that encourage. Everyone needs a bit of encouragement now and then. Put them where you can easily find them - in your writer's notebook.

» World building ideas.

» A list of emotions you experienced, what triggered them, what they felt like. Is depression a "sinking" or more like being tired and unmotivated? Or can it be both or either one? what kinds of experiences triggers one and not the other kind of feeling? What about joy?

» Printouts and clippings of writing articles that help you.

This is just the tip of the writer's notebook iceberg. You can keep notes and bits on history (personal, world, or fantasy), personal experiences or experiences of family and friends, what you read (including novels, online journals, etc), post cards, inventions, and anything else that might prompt writing. If you're aiming for publication, you can make a section for the markets you want to send your work to and a submission record. And you can track your goals and progress. Make the notebook yours and fill it with the things that will help and encourage you as a writer. Just like no two writers write exactly the same way, no two writers have the exact same things in their notebooks.

Your notebook will start off a bit thin, but it will build up over time. Just be sure to take it with you everywhere. Whenever you get an idea, see something interesting, hear a snatch of conversation that's intriguing, you can jot it down. Whenever and wherever you get the urge to write and need something to jump start, you can look into your notebook to get you going. You may find that writer's block becomes an uncommon visitor once you have a notebook to get you started.

A writer's notebook is a habit. You have to teach yourself to carry it with you no matter how inconvenient it seems. You have to learn to remember to put your ideas and resources in it when they come to you. And you have to use it. But, once you get into the habit of keeping this notebook, you will wonder how you ever managed without it.