I’ve kept notebooks for years but I either call them “Journals” or “Notebooks”. I keep two now. My journal stays by my nightstand and I write personal stuff in there — how I’m feeling as I’m writing, the ups and downs, the rejections and the successes. Strictly personal, but it can include passages I might want to use later, reminders of my goals, suggestions for future pieces.

My notebook is my business book. It’s the record of my work. I list the things I’ve published, the submissions still out there, the acceptances and rejections, all with dates and info I might need, including the names of publications and editors. I keep a record of payments and expenses on Quicken but everything else goes into my notebook.

It may not work for everyone, but that’s how I do it. At least for now!