BootsnAll Travel Community

I wondered how members herer went about taking notes onthe road?

Do you write pages and pages of descriptive text or do you prefer single words?

Do you record hstorical information or just the sensations you experience at each destination?

I try to write words, descriptions, whole passages etc whatever evokes my memory when I sit down and write. I never have the ambition of producing finished text when I'm litteraly on the road on a bus train taxi. I need a quiet and calm space.

I actually talk into a portable voice recorder - I used to have a dictaphone but am exploring the smaller neck mikes now. Admittedly, I look a little odd walking around talking to myself...

When I do write, and it does happen, I never write down any facts I can find anywhere else. If it's on the web, on a pamphlet or in a book, it stays out of my notes.

I write about the small things that I'll never remember - the smells, sounds, feelings, my reaction to things and people. I don't take long notes - I've evolved my own shorthand filled with symbols and abbreviations, and try to keep it short.

When I have to do a longer piece, I mine my notes, my photos (I take a lot of these) to remember what something looked like, and my recordings.

The best $ you'll ever spend, a small pocket sized notebook. The things I try and capture are the quotes from the people I meet, and for this a pocket sized notebook is essential.

I write down impressions and thoughts, but not usually in complete sentences, except for quotes from people (there's time for writing in complete sentences when I get back . I abbreviate and shorten words that can be shortened to save time so I can keep observing. It's amazing how many English words are cluttered with nonessential letters.

For me, after much trial and error, it has come down to using sticky notes that I carry with a pen in my pocket. I tried using a notebook but you have to fish around in a bag which takes time and is awkward if you are wanting to write down something quickly that you just heard someone say. Plus my mind is a sieve and I need to write things down immediately. It is less intrusive and less obvious to just reach in my pocket and hold the sticky notes in the palm of my hand. I just write down descriptive phrases, words that describe the senses, things people say or what I saw.

I also carry a small computer so later when I'm off the street I type it up and flesh it out. Or if you aren't carrying a computer you can flesh out in a notebook later. Then I throw the stickies away.

I carry a small notebook with me all the time -- either the smallest moleskine or a tiny composition book. I scribble quotes and details that will help me develop scenes later. They truly are scribbles. No one else could possibly read anything I write. In the evenings I hash out my notes on my computer and then email a copy to myself if possible. I used to rely purely on notebooks, but the possibility I might lose them really worried me. I would rather lose my computer, having emailed myself all my notes, than to lose every single note I've taken on a trip.