Everyday Canvas

What I Carry

Prompt: "I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in." --Robert Louis Stevenson

As writers, our craft is always with us. What do you carry? Me, I always have a notebook and a couple of pencils with me And fortunately with modern technology, Kindle on my phone when I'm stuck longer than I anticipated. I also take tones of pictures for later writing stimulation.

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I am more of a reader than a writer, although I write quite a bit. Way back when, I used to carry a print book, and later, an e-reader in my bag.

Now that I can read on my cell, the e-readers have been demoted to several places in the house with my favorite one taking on the night duty. This is because I am usually reading several books at the same general time, but I pick books with varying genres and settings and alternate fiction and non-fiction of different subjects since I don’t want to mix up the characters, plots, and information with one another.

As to writing, Robert L Stevenson must have been more organized than me for I carry in my purse several pens and loose papers, actually scraps, and a couple of tiny pads that charities hand out. I also take notes on my cell or the e-readers. It would be better practice if I were to write my notes in one notebook or keep them in just one place.

I tried to carry a notebook with me but it was too bulky for my purse. That’s when I got used to cut-up papers. Now, I am so conditioned to them that I even use them when I am at home. Still, I do have half-filled notebooks, hordes of them, because I like free-flow.

Fact is, I tried to wean myself off those pieces of paper, but it didn’t go very well because a pen and those folded cut-ups in my shirt pocket are very handy and they feel like family.