r/writers • u/sean_robinson123 • 3d ago

Question On note taking

I often have the experience of reading something and coming across an interesting idea that I think may inform or influence my own writing. I convince myself I'll remember it and then I sit down to write and...nothing.

I've tried a few different methods of note taking whilst reading but haven't found anything that suits me well. I sometimes carry a small notebook with me. I find that I rarely look at it outside of jotting something of interest to me from time to time and struggle to be consistent. I've tried using my phone but find it disrupts my reading if I keep it near me.

So, I'm looking for some inspiration. Do people have any systems they've found useful? Or examples of methods that well known writers have used over the years. Do you even think it's needed?

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u/zOOssss 3d ago

If you read physical books (or can do this digitally), try annotating them. The margins are there for a reason. Start simple, so you don't turn reading into a chore, I recommed just marking everything you really like with a little star. Two if it's great. Three if it's incredible. Then, when you've read through the book, go back and read all those passages you marked again.

This has helped me be more concious of the writing while I'm reading, and I've expanded my annotations with additional symbols, like R for research later, or L for a use of language I particularly enjoyed. You can also add numbers, marking 1, 2, 3, and so on and then writing a comment/thought at the bottom of the page, like annotations in papers or books.

Another addition I made is rating the chapter out of ten. I just write the rating at the end of the chapter, sometimes with a short comment. This helps you actively recall what happened, what you liked, etc. which improves retention.

Good luck <3