Notebook: Another Genre - The Rough Narrative

One of the numerous notebooks I use. I purchased this at the Kinokuniya Bookstore in NYC. 

Notebooks are personal pieces of ourselves; holding the rough narratives of our minds. 

I find them to be more intimate than romance books because I get an exclusive peek into what a person's mind looks like when spread across pages. Ideas are rough, pages are layered with indecipherable scribbles, doodles have unrefined lines, words are unpolished, and clusters upon clusters of emotions clash into each other. Notebooks are diaries, sketchbooks, research logs...they can be anything. They're bodies without a soul until we give them one.

I wanted to share a few pages from my notebook. Take a glimpse at the ideas/thoughts floating through my brain!   

I've been interested in the Korean language as of late, so I've been practicing the alphabet in my free time.

Some pages are dedicated to my handmade book shop, PikiThins. I generate countless lists and notes-from tasks, supplies, to brainstorming keywords for search engines-to keep the shop up to date. I'm always researching new ways to inject life into my shop! It's a great outlet to express my creative energy.

Dreams have become an important part of my life. They are a means to explore the person I've become through the metaphors they leave behind. I've gotten into a habit of recording them (that's why some of my writings have many misspellings. I'm usually half awake when I write my dreams down). I recorded over 100 dreams in 2013.

I admit, most of my dreams are nightmarish in nature. The writing shown here tells of a dream I had of being raped by two college students. Traumatized by the event, my friend helped me escape the college campus and create a new identity for myself. However, my friend was captured by those disgusting college students, and they forced him to ask me to return. I hadn't realized what trap I was walking into until it was too late.

Aside from dreams, I also jot down story ideas, occurrences I see on the street, and spur of the moment contemplation pieces. As you've noticed, I write very small! Can you imagine squeezing two rows of sentences into one college-ruled sized row? 

Rough narratives-whether about dreams, ideas, or occurrences in life-sound more like it could be its own genre. Any thoughts on this?

 If you were to share a page in your notebook, what would it be?

Reading, Reading, & Reading

What Does Your Reading List Look Like?

I've been collecting so many books lately. I haven't been doing a decent job in keeping up with the ever expanding reading list I've created! This isn't terrible of course; there can never be enough books in anyone's personal library. This is my current stack so far (not including the books I'm looking to purchase in the near future). Some titles include:

Madeleine is Sleeping by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum (lyrical fiction)

The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht (magical realism)

The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (historical novel)

Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran (historical novel)

The Bookbinding Handbook by Sue Doggett (arts & crafts)

Ballistics by Billy Collins (poetry)

Brave Story by Miyuki Miyabe(Japanese fantasy novel)

The Omni Diet by Tana Amen (fitness & diet)

A good selection of genres I think! What is your favorite genre? Mine is murder-mystery (even though I haven't read much on it as of late. I will be sure to do so soon). What makes this genre so enjoyable is the suspense in discovering who is the murderer, of following the clues to piece together the truth of a crime. I love when author's describe murder scenes because even those descriptions are telling to the murderer's identity.

What Is Your Favorite Reading Place?

My craft/work space! It feels really good to be surrounded by the things I've created (for me, that would be bookbinding, plush dolls, paper crafts, loom knitting, and furniture projects). I especially love when it rains. I'll take the blinds off all the window, sit in my reading chair (not shown here unfortunately), and listen to the rain as I read. It's soothing and peaceful. 

When my room is feeling too stuffy for a good read, I'll head to a park or read on the ferry while heading to work.

Do you have any favorite places you enjoy reading?

Workspace Typography

This stamp is a necessity in everyone's arsenal. I'm sure there will be someone you'll need to put on notice when all isn't well. When words fail, stamps prevail!

This stamp is a hand me down from a coworker. The wood is completely scratched up and beaten, and I think that adds to its character. When I look at it, I think quirky and lethal; a combination I favor highly. I also have a few other trinkets lying around my workspace such as...

...this lovely letter. I bought this from an Etsy shop: EdiesLab. I wanted a letter on my wall, and what does it better than my first initial? It's got appealing curves and smooth wooden skin. It's pretty much the size of my head! 

Ah, and here we have a stack of art books I've collected over the years-not my only stack of course. Some books I received for free, like Hand Job-cough-and An American Odyssey. Art books are one of the many things I enjoy collecting. 

Some books seen here are works from my favorite artists, such as Tara McPherson, Os Gemeos, and Camilla D'Errico. I would definitely recommend checking them out if your into graffiti and illustration! A common trait I like about all their work is their use of color; its an integral part of the artwork's story. Color holds symbolism, but doesn't forget to be playful in image portrayal.  

-Piki