[pieter]

I now have a very classy notebook. I thought it was a good idea to buy a thick one, this one is about 3 centimeters thick (over 1 inch).

But it turns out to be a hassle to write in, especially in the right side pages, as your had 'drops' off the page. (I'm sorry, my English isn't any better).

I suppose it gets better when I get to the middle of the book...but apart from that, do you get used to those super thick books?

[*david*]

Your English in that message is just as good as an English person's.

I never get used to this. I prefer a thinner book, unless it's the kind that has removable pages. That thick book looks nice, though, doesn't it?

[HyperCamper]

Have you tried putting something as high as the notebook under the hand that drops off?

[HDoug]

This is kinda mental, but I've actually done this: Turn the notebook around every page so that every page is upside down from the one preceding it. In other words, always write toward the gutter.

Doug

[KCat]

Would never have thought of Doug's idea but it's very clever. I never got used to the one thick journal I bought so I gave up.

I'm really liking the A4 Black 'n Red.

The thick journals give a sense of decadence to me and that is their initial appeal. but if you already have trouble writing comfortably due to arthritis or the like, it's pain. LIterally and figuratively. Doug's idea is probably the best idea I've ever heard of for this issue - after all, this is for you right? Not for work or some other defined format. I have been known to carry a clipboard or use a cheap lap desk for small or awkward journals. But i'm pretty much just tired of them and will probably spend my $ on spiral or similar binds in the future. I had made that decision several years ago then forgot why. 2 or 3 awkward journals later... back to the basics.

[HDoug]

HDoug, on Jun 30 2006, 12:07 AM, said:

This is kinda mental, but I've actually done this: Turn the notebook around every page so that every page is upside down from the one preceding it. In other words, always write toward the gutter.

Doug

I should add to this a little. One of the problems with the method is that after several pages, you open up your journal and can't figure out which way it's going and it takes you several moments to thumb through it to figure out where you left off.

So when you start off, you just put page numbers on the upper/outer corners. You don't have to number each page, just number the next 10 pages. Then, when you open up to a written page (with the left page rightside up, and the right page upside down) you will instantly know which way you were going.

Doug

[pieter]

I'll try the upside down trick

Or I will just put the book aside. It is kind of heavy as well, sort of "like a brick" . But it looks so classy and oldfashioned...

[BMWRT]

I agree with the dicomfort using thick notebooks. I have tried different methods of alleviating it to no comfortable solution. Now I use thinner notebooks

[Judybug]

I don't buy thick journals anymore because of the problem you so accurately described - my hand dropping off the page.

If you're really attached to this thick book, you could use a piece of dense styrofoam that is about the same thickness as the book. It's dimensions should be about 4 inches [or more] by whatever the width of the book is when it's closed. Craft stores have styrofoam is all sizes, thicknesses, and densities. Anyway -- position the styrofoam at the bottom of the journal wherever your hand needs support.

I've used styrofoam like this before and it solves the problem for me. Of course, that means I have to carry a piece of styrofoam around with me - but it's lightweight and doesn't take up a lot of space in a briefcase or tote bag.

Judybug

[thewolfgang]

HDoug, on Jun 30 2006, 12:07 AM, said:

This is kinda mental, but I've actually done this: Turn the notebook around every page so that every page is upside down from the one preceding it. In other words, always write toward the gutter.

Doug

This is totally simple, and brilliant. It doesn't work for perfect-bound, pre-printed appointment books, but for just about everything else it does.

[drifting]

pieter, on Jun 30 2006, 05:13 AM, said:

But it turns out to be a hassle to write in, especially in the right side pages, as your had 'drops' off the page.

I've just started using a 200 page A5 Miquelrius notebook. For me, more aggravating than my hand dropping off the right page is trying to get the left page flat enough to write on comfortably: the bulk of the notebook is still on the right and wants to flip up if I lay the left side flat, or if the right side is flat, then the left page has a large arc in it as it drops to the table 2.5cm below. I've taken to slipping another book under the left hand side to bring it up to the correct level. As I move to the middle of the book, this problem should disappear, but reappear in reverse as I get to the back of the book. Sigh.

Hdoug's book flip is clever. To avoid some of the confusion, would it make sense to write straight through the book using only your preferred page? Then you could flip the book over and write straight through back to front. Seems to me that it might be easier to keep track of than flipping after every page.

Judybug wrote:

Quote

position the styrofoam at the bottom of the journal wherever your hand needs support.

That's another good idea.

Ah... the lengths we go to for a cool looking notebook! :doh:

Ryan.

[HDoug]

drifting, on Jul 2 2006, 06:34 AM, said:

Hdoug's book flip is clever. To avoid some of the confusion, would it make sense to write straight through the book using only your preferred page? Then you could flip the book over and write straight through back to front. Seems to me that it might be easier to keep track of than flipping after every page.

Aha! That makes more sense! Thanks for the suggestion.

Doug

[TMLee]

In my other thread, I mentioned finally deciding to have my journals custom-made. This after having completed several assorted journals which somehow didn't meet my satisfaction (eg bleeding paper, don't stay open flat, almost there but not there size, paper not heavy enuf for sketching, watercolour , etc)

I visited the bookbinder showing her some of my journals, explaining my needs. She was quick to suggest no more than 1cm thick (even before I raised issue of thickness) and with conqueror quality heavy paper too (cream coloured). It seems they know these are common problems when it concerns 'heavyduty' writing.

I am sure some of you can seek out a bookbinder. Nothing to lose. Do it in bulk even.... to bring costs down. The price has to be half (or less) of the good quality journals available in the shops.

Hmmm .... come to think of it, why don't we produce our very own FPN emblazoned journal ? We could look for handicapped/disabled organisations that provide such products/services whilst offering gainful employment to these handicapped/disabled workers.

My custom-made journals are made by them here where I live.

[FLZapped]

BTW - that's what those Laptop thingies are for, they compensate for your notebook height . . . .




-BRuce

[drifting]

TMLee, on Jul 2 2006, 06:04 PM, said:

I visited the bookbinder showing her some of my journals, explaining my needs. She was quick to suggest no more than 1cm thick (even before I raised issue of thickness) and with conqueror quality heavy paper too (cream coloured). It seems they know these are common problems when it concerns 'heavyduty' writing.

Could you post a picture of the finished product?

Ryan.