[Lith]

Writers say keep a notebook handy. Photographers say keep your camera handy. Christians say keep your Bible handy. Artists say keep your sketchbook handy. Sigh. There are days I feel like a walking bulletin board, or something. The backpack's getting rather full.

But it helps! I really does! And people can tell you till they're blue in the face, but until you actually DO it, you'll never know the benefits.

My massive files of notes are semi-organized. I've given up hopes of thoroughly organizing them; I never seem to reread them anyway, that way. But each story has a file of its own, with attendant sub folders if necessary, and each idea with multiple possible applications gets a place in each file. The slight disorganization I find inspiring, but also frustrating, should multiple copies of a piece of information find its way in.

That and keeping tightly-organized notes can chew up a lot of otherwise-productive writing hours. And that is the voice of experience!