Notebooks, revisted
Patrick Forsyth is inspired to use his travel notebooks in a different way
R epeated advice to those wishing to write well is simple: read. Read widely, read regularly, read often and what you are exposed to will provide a useful mix of practice that will influence your own output. Another basic maxim for writers – and here especially travel writers – is to carry and use a notebook. Fine; I do not expect my mentioning that to be in any way a surprise. However, while I am a regular notebook user (and have it by my bed at night as well as with me on any travels), my view of it has changed recently.