Reading through a writer's notebook or journal is like
opening and discovering 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.

Here are several things you can record in your notebook,
so that when you've run out of ideas to write, you can
refer to your notebook:

¤ YOUR LIFE IN A SHOE BOX. Write what you know, feel
and experience, right? So jot down snippet of events in
your life. Write a sentence or a paragraph about a funny,
embarrassing, happy, or infuriating experience.

¤ INTERESTING PEOPLE. Write down descriptions of
people you meet. How did they react to certain events?
How did their names fit their image?

¤ A WORD A DAY. 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, this can serve as story
starters for you.

¤ THOSE QUOTABLE QUOTES. A meaningful quote can
start you off into writing. Make sure you write these
quotes in your notebook.

¤ ORDINARY PEOPLE WITH THEIR ONE-LINERS.
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.

¤ SOMETHING YOU READ. 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. 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.

Writers are similar to store owners. Store owners stock
their supplies in their shelves, while we writers stock
ideas between the pages of our little writer's notebook.

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

Take a peek in your writer's notebook and you just might
find something there that could connect your pen to the
paper on your desk.