I like notebooks. I like to draw and scribble and just write things down. Every morning, before I do anything else, I write (longhand, paper) for 20 minutes or so. I find that it accomplishes a few things: first, it forces me to wake up. Second, it gives me a chance to think about what I want my day to be like. Third, most important, it’s a chance to explore and work through whatever creative ideas are on my mind. If you know me at all, you know I’m not one of those irritating morning people who wake up all bright-eyed and wanting to talk to you and be all friendly. But surprisingly, once I actually get my eyes all the way open, I find that the writing exercise serves to wake up and focus my mind in a non-irritating way. There is something about actually having to form the letters with a pen that sharpens my concentration. I’ve tried writing on my laptop, but the act of typing induces a sleep-walking approach — I hear the keys clicking and go on autopilot. So using a notebook is essential.

I have recently discovered the Baron Fig line. They are created by and for creative people. Their web site is a treat, check it out here (http://www.baronfig.com). The paper quality is excellent, even better than the Rhodia web notebook, and eons beyond anything from Moleskine. It’s a classy enough piece of work that I am motivated to rouse my senses and write something that MATTERS to me.