For The Love Of Writing
Writing (by hand) is one of the best things we can do to stay creative, keep our brains sharp, and reflect on our daily lives. I write for work as a brand storyteller, and I am writing a book about creating the conditions for creativity. As much as I love AI and my computer, nothing helps me stay connected to the craft as writing like pen and paper. These are my faves after a lifetime of trial and error!
Amy V.
View ProfileAmy is a creative strategist, writer and adventurer. She is an experienced creative and marketing executive and works with clients on brand storytelling while writing a book about creativity.
LinkedInBoston, MA
Cahier Journals Set of 3
Moleskine
The classics are classic for a reason. Nothing beats a Moleskine Cahier Journal, size XL. I prefer dotted. Softcover is nice because it's lightweight and easy to throw into a laptop case with your computer.
$27.00
Pilot juice up 04 Retractable Gel Ink Pen, Ultra Fine Point 0.4mm, Black Ink
PILOT
This is a slim pen, not bulky, and it writes like butter.
$13.36
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Steven Pressfield
This book is about creativity and breaking down the barriers that prevent it. The biggest barrier? It's us. The fearful, lizard-brain humans who don't create because we're too busy grasping for something, anything, that gives us a spot in the great hierarchy of life. If you are a creative person (and all of us are in some way or another), I highly recommend you read this book. Your lizard-brain won't thank you, but I will.
$15.02
Avery Margin Ultra Tabs, 2.5" x 1", 2-Side Writable, White, 24 Repositionable Page Tabs (74789)
Avery
I keep all my writing ideas on index cards, and then I organize them with these repositionable page tabs. It allows me to stay organized, but flexibly. I never know what might interest me next, so I love that I don't have to worry too much about it.
$5.69
Amazon Basics Blank Index Cards, White, 3" x 5", 1000 Count (10 Pack of 100), 7.5 pt. Paper Weight
Amazon
I capture all my writing ideas on index cards. Whether for my book, for clients, or for my own content, index cards give me the freedom to capture ideas whenever they come to me without worrying about which notebook I write them in. Sure, I could write them in an app or use a note-taking tool, but I like using my brain, and writing by hand does that. I have found that unlined cards are the best—they don't have any expectation about how many words you will write or what you'll do on the paper.
$10.86
Recycled Polypropylene Makeup Box (W5.9 x D4.3 x H3.4)
MUJI
Don't let the makeup box name fool you. This is the PERFECT size box for storing 3x5" index cards when capturing writing ideas. I keep one on my desk, and pop in any ideas I think of while I'm working. And bonus, because it's Muji, it's functional and beautifully simple.
$2.90
Polypropylene Pen Case
MUJI
The small Muji pen case is perfect for carrying three pens or pencils. I always like to have a pen, pencil, and highlighter with me, so I find the size perfect.
$1.90
Semitransparent Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
MUJI
I don't know about you, but I hate the feel of metal mechanical pencils. They feel cold and hard (and I'm allergic to metal, so that doesn't help!). I was so happy to find these polycarbonate transparent pencils from Muji. I can replace the lead in them with 0.5mm pencil lead, and I haven't broken one yet.
$2.90
Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Tip, Black, 36/Pack
Sharpie
What is better than a Sharpie? I'm waiting. The answer is nothing. No pen is more fun to write with. Whenever I'm feeling particularly creative, I always reach for a classic black fine-tip Sharpie. And I like to feel creative a lot of the time, so I have Sharpies everywhere. Which is why you need to buy the 36-pack.
$29.99
Cahier Journals Set of 3
Moleskine
The classics are classic for a reason. Nothing beats a Moleskine Cahier Journal, size XL. I prefer dotted. Softcover is nice because it's lightweight and easy to throw into a laptop case with your computer.
$27.00
Avery Margin Ultra Tabs, 2.5" x 1", 2-Side Writable, White, 24 Repositionable Page Tabs (74789)
Avery
I keep all my writing ideas on index cards, and then I organize them with these repositionable page tabs. It allows me to stay organized, but flexibly. I never know what might interest me next, so I love that I don't have to worry too much about it.
$5.69
Polypropylene Pen Case
MUJI
The small Muji pen case is perfect for carrying three pens or pencils. I always like to have a pen, pencil, and highlighter with me, so I find the size perfect.
$1.90
Pilot juice up 04 Retractable Gel Ink Pen, Ultra Fine Point 0.4mm, Black Ink
PILOT
This is a slim pen, not bulky, and it writes like butter.
$13.36
Amazon Basics Blank Index Cards, White, 3" x 5", 1000 Count (10 Pack of 100), 7.5 pt. Paper Weight
Amazon
I capture all my writing ideas on index cards. Whether for my book, for clients, or for my own content, index cards give me the freedom to capture ideas whenever they come to me without worrying about which notebook I write them in. Sure, I could write them in an app or use a note-taking tool, but I like using my brain, and writing by hand does that. I have found that unlined cards are the best—they don't have any expectation about how many words you will write or what you'll do on the paper.
$10.86
Semitransparent Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
MUJI
I don't know about you, but I hate the feel of metal mechanical pencils. They feel cold and hard (and I'm allergic to metal, so that doesn't help!). I was so happy to find these polycarbonate transparent pencils from Muji. I can replace the lead in them with 0.5mm pencil lead, and I haven't broken one yet.
$2.90
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Steven Pressfield
This book is about creativity and breaking down the barriers that prevent it. The biggest barrier? It's us. The fearful, lizard-brain humans who don't create because we're too busy grasping for something, anything, that gives us a spot in the great hierarchy of life. If you are a creative person (and all of us are in some way or another), I highly recommend you read this book. Your lizard-brain won't thank you, but I will.
$15.02
Recycled Polypropylene Makeup Box (W5.9 x D4.3 x H3.4)
MUJI
Don't let the makeup box name fool you. This is the PERFECT size box for storing 3x5" index cards when capturing writing ideas. I keep one on my desk, and pop in any ideas I think of while I'm working. And bonus, because it's Muji, it's functional and beautifully simple.
$2.90
Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Tip, Black, 36/Pack
Sharpie
What is better than a Sharpie? I'm waiting. The answer is nothing. No pen is more fun to write with. Whenever I'm feeling particularly creative, I always reach for a classic black fine-tip Sharpie. And I like to feel creative a lot of the time, so I have Sharpies everywhere. Which is why you need to buy the 36-pack.
$29.99
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