Reading the contents in a writer's notebook or journal is like opening and discovering a chest full of pearls, rubies and diamonds amidst a pile of rubble and discarded things.

That little notebook is a powerhouse of ideas for every writer: The more you write down bits and pieces of your thoughts and observations, the more you are adding into the well of ideas for future works.

In case you run out of ideas to write about, you can always look within the pages of your writer's notebook or journal.

So here are several things you can record in your notebook:

A SHOEBOXED LIFE
Write what you know, feel and experience, right? So jot down snippets of events in your life. Write a sentence or a paragraph about a funny, embarrassing, happy, or infuriating experience.

PEOPLE PROFILES
Write down descriptions of the people you meet each day. How do they react in certain situations? How do their names fit their image?

WORD ESTATE
Whenever an interesting word catches your attention, write it down. It may have a different meaning for you a month or a year from now. If you keep a list of words in your notebook, the words can serve as story starters for you.

CANDID QUOTES AND ONE-LINERS
Kids say the most unexpected things, and people say the most interesting, surprising or even shocking lines when we least expect to hear them say these lines. Overheard lines in a conversation can sometimes spark your creative mind. Write down these one-liners in your notebook. They can be great story starters.

GOOD BOOKS AND QUIRKY ADS
Read good books. Keep a file of memorable lines or quotes. Write down quirky billboard ads. Scan the papers for one-liners. These are good idea stimulators.

EMOTIONS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT
Describe what you feel at any given moment. If you feel angry right now, write what your anger feels like. Describe it. Use vivid words. Don't skimp on adjectives.

Writers are like store owners: Store owners stock supplies in their shelves, while we writers stock ideas between the pages of our notebooks.

It's endless. It's bottomless. You can reach down again and again for inspiration without exhausting your notebook of reserve.

So take a peek in your notebook and you just might find something there that could connect your pen to the paper on your desk.

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Copyright 2001 Shery Ma Belle Arrieta

Shery is the owner of http://www.WriteMemories.com , your companion to writing and preserving your memories. In partnership with The e-Writer's Place, WriteMemories.com launches SNAPSHOTS: Writing from Memory, Writing from Life, a 3-week email workshop on journaling, scrapbooking and memoir writing. Visit http://www.ewritersplace.com/workshops/snapshots.html for the complete workshop outline and information on how you can avail of the SNAPSHOTS Free-To-Try Module.

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