Convert Me
Hey new friends. So I've long been one of those guys who thinks TNs are weird and kind of extra. But now I really want one and I'm not sure why. You get it. Thought this group could help me think through it. Here's where I've been lately:
- All fiction drafting and long-form journaling goes in a grocery store composition book or legal pad. I need these books to be big and 0% precious.
- I used to collect and use Field Notes like crazy, so I have a surplus. One lives in my pocket for catching anything and everything. Could get filled out every 6 days or every 6 months depending on the season. Love the covers and variation, but also love that it's meant to be used. 0% precious. Okay, maybe 10% precious 😉
- I don't like using my Field Notes in covers. I sometimes use the leather stuff sheath, but the notebook has to be removed to write in. I'm fine writing on the couch in small notebooks, so I think TN size might be a welcome addition.
- I Bullet Journal in a standard A5 Leuchtturm1917, minimalist/original method. This is 99% just work tasks, not something that's ever really integrated into my life. I would say I'm on the fence about keeping this going. Over 10 years, it hasn't quite clicked for me.
- I have a Lochby A5 Field journal w/ 3 Tomoe River inserts, and it just gets no love, mostly because all my fountain pens are dirty and I never figured out what the intention of each insert was. I also think A5 is too big for lots of stuff but too small for how I draft fiction and journal.
- I mostly use fountain pens or blackwing pencils. Not much gel pen/rollerball love here. And I love Midori MD paper that comes in their basic A5 - is that what TN branded inserts are?
In my mind, TN would fill a category between Field Notes and fiction drafting. I don't see myself hoarding stamps, stickers, receipts, whatever else. Then again, I could use it for my household budgeting. I'm a pretty minimalist guy. To me, it might be more of a life record. Things I am writing mostly with the knowledge that I'll keep them forever. Quotes. Bible studies. Commonplace stuff. Maybe travel notes when that happens. I'm not simply asking "how do you use yours?" I'm asking if it sounds like I should even bother. I don't think passport size of a Field Notes size knockoff makes sense because I don't like using Field Notes with covers. Excited to chat with y'all.