Short Stories – Page 57

is for notes, notebooks, note taking, and note making. Some of us might prize our imagination, but how good is our … what is that thing … oh yes, our memory.

In my opinion, if you’re a writer it doesn’t matter how good your memory is; you should be taking and making notes.

Is there a difference between taking notes and making notes?

Yes, and I’ll clarify it as best I can before moving on. I know how it might be a distraction when reading this post, and you won’t want to be distracted from reading such an important article. LOL

Taking notes is the way we describe the activity of recording information at a lesson, or seminar; as I did when attending the ‘Self-Publishing Conference’ recently. I have several pages of notes, with headings, sub-headings and bullet points from all four seminars I attended.

Making notes is how I would refer to my everyday activities with my notebook and pen at work, or when out and about with my trusty Moleskine.

If making notes and referring to a publication of any description it is imperative to use quotation marks when extracting a specific phrase.

It doesn’t matter what the book or magazine might be, it’s always advisable to use the simple addition of quotation marks if you have any intention of using it at a later date. If you later use the quote, give credit to the original author and avoid accusations of plagiarism.

There are several trains of thought on this topic, so rather than explore all of them here, I will once again write about what I know; my own methods.

Since stepping down from my management role over a year ago, I still carry a notebook when in my retail assistant role. It’s not a requirement, but I’ve carried one for years. The difference now is, that instead of being for work, it is mainly for when an idea comes to mind.

I only work three days a week in retail, so whenever I’m out and about on the other days, I carry a pocket-sized Moleskine notebook. I might find myself making a note of a person’s description, a phrase I’ve overheard, or the description of a location I’m in.

My favourite notes are those made when I’m enjoying a tea or coffee while out. It doesn’t matter if I’m taking a break from a shopping trip, or I’m on holiday; my notebook is used often. Sometimes I might write down title ideas for a short story I’m working on, or possible character names. A favourite habit is to write a passage for my current project.

Somehow, sitting in a restaurant, or small café lends itself to writing a scene, or a few lines of dialogue. In the last two years the habit has served me well. When other couples or individuals sit with their coffee in front of them, they pull out their phone to check emails, or social networks. I pull out my Moleskine and write for a while.

I might be with my wife on a day out, or even on my own, but I’m comfortable with the idea in either case. My wife isn’t bothered, because she is one of the smartphone brigade. As soon as the coffee cups are on the table; she’s surfing for the Wi-Fi signal. My notebook and pen come out; and for a while we get on with our own thing.

I’ve never got into the habit of the notebook on the bedside table, probably because I wouldn’t stop at a few words.

How do you deal with the idea of notes?

Please feel free to share in your comment. You know you want to …

I’ve got a blog patrol to be getting on with, and then I’ll be working on my ‘O’ post for tomorrow.

As always, thank you for reading and sharing your views.

is for mutual, as in mutual support.

Now, how am I going to spin this into a writing connection?

We all enjoy what we’re doing; writing. We all recognise that if not a lonely life, it can be safely construed as a solitary life. Outside of your shed, study, or wherever you write, you may have family or even friends. They may or may not make all the right noises when they see your work, but let’s look at our blog-life.

Instead of using this post to talk about writing, I thought I’d touch on what we’re all doing right now – blogging and communicating. We’re strengthening ties and creating a better, larger, writer’s community.

Is it good to see a ‘like’ about your blog?

For me, the answer to that is yes, and no. I can’t see the point in telling somebody new that you ‘like’ an aspect of their blog, unless you qualify it with the reason. If you give a ‘like’, give a comment the first time, even if it’s brief. There is an exception to this theory. Once you’ve established a rapport with the blogger, and actually written a comment or two, an unsupported ‘like’ is still nice to see – it shows you’ve made the time to get over for a look.

Why is it so important?

It leaves a bitter taste to find that somebody has ‘liked’ about four aspects of your blog, and clicked on ‘follow’, simply so that you will go and check out theirs, possibly even deciding to ‘follow’ it. In the last month I’ve had five such attempts at using me to increase ‘followers’. I’ve grown wise to it, and the transgressors have been unceremoniously removed. This blog is still very much a learning process for me.

Is this a rant?

Most definitely not. I did feel though that, now that we’ve reached the halfway point on this rather excellent challenge, it was time to show my colours so to speak.

I refreshed my blog at the beginning of the year, and started from scratch. My previous blogging efforts were going largely unnoticed. I now have 59 followers according to my statistics, but I know it’s not accurate so I’ve got a couple of ‘red herrings’ to find. I’m actually following about 40 blogs, and though it’s hard work at times, I want to see how things look at the end of April.

Don’t worry, we’re nearly there; the point is coming.

My aim is to have a manageable list of blogs, where there is mutual support between myself, those who follow me, and those I follow. If I have 30 ‘followers’ who are actually ‘following’, I will respond in kind. If I have 50 followers, I will work hard to support them.

I’m not expecting that there is a closed group of blogs, like a Facebook group. Good manners and integrity suggests to me that it doesn’t have to be a reciprocal exercise, as long as we are faithful when we hit that ‘follow’ button. If the target blog gets boring, then ‘unfollow’. It can be that we are following 25 blogs, but we have 50 followers. Even an occasional response to comments is good manners.

I know there are some out there with followers in three figures, and I salute you. You are what blogging is all about. My actual writing time is too precious to follow too many blogs. I will however work to support any writer who feels they need an opinion, a tip, or even a listening ear. I am not beyond asking for those things myself. No, sadly I’m not perfect or infallible, but I’m working on both.

What I’m saying in a nutshell is, that those of us that are serious about writing and blogging don’t really need ‘hangers-on’. We do need genuine, like-minded individuals, who can see beyond their own screen, and want to help, and be helped.

Okay. I think I’d better stop writing, or the decent folk among you will stop reading. By the way, there was no intent to injure any blogger, mentally or physically with the contents of this post.

Thank you once again for reading, and where appropriate, following. I’ll see you tomorrow with ‘N‘

Category: Short Stories