My Perfect Moleskine Notebook: A Review

Nothing can inspire writer's block like a blank page. And who would want to spoil a perfect page like the ones that greet you when you open a genuine Moleskine Notebook? With the perfect combination of style and sophistication a Moleskine also includes a guarantee. A cloth bookmark adorns practically all models, an elastic band to keep it tightly shut as well as a small folder-style pocket in the back for holding very thin items - loose papers, a few post-it notes or index cards. An array of datebooks and planners are also available.

Uses

For business or pleasure a Moleskine notebook comes in many shapes and styles. A lined style is included for those of a more structured taste. For even more specific uses you will find other styles a perfect match including: squared (plot), music, storyboard and travel (with tabs for bed, food, people, sites, and facilities), accordion file or even simple address books. Paper thickness varies from normal use to thicker artistic use or even Japanese (folded)The color is perfect business black and size is great for fitting in any bag. Smaller versions or even larger versions are available, but the middle ground fits all my travels. Without lines, one could Mindmap a problem, brainstorm or just draw funny pictures during a boring meeting.

Pleasure uses might include Mindmapping for creative purposes, outlining your next book, sketching in pen or pencil, a shopping list, or just doodling around your notes.

Review

My favorite is a "plain notebook" - a 'basic notebook with plain pages' perfect for business or pleasure. Meeting note-taking is easily done, although some prefer lines, I find I am more creative without such borders on the imagination. This model includes the rear pocket, which I store a few index cards and a few small post-it notes, and the classic cloth bookmark. Even with this small inventory the back cover does bow slightly. The paper is thick enough for light artistic use, such as pencil, light ink or chalk, but I would upgrade to the thicker paper versions for watercolor, oil or other wet mediums. Turning the notebook horizontally for a wider canvas allows small mindmapping. I sketched in a small mindmapping tip sheet on the first page to help me remember the simple rules and is a great way to break a new notebook in - saving you from that intimidating blank page.

Your choice of a pen is probably the second most important tool for literary inspiration and requires careful planning. Gel pens work best and bond well with the paper. Ball-point pens tend to skip and lay only on the surface. Ink well pens are too generous and bleed through multiple pages. The Pilot G-2 07 comes well recommended, but I have also found Pentel and BIC versions adequate. Liqui-ball 0.5's (Corporate Express brand) have a wonderfully rich color however 2 out of 2 have cracked and spilled onto my hands. My wife prefers the TUL Gel Pen pack for its color variety and consistent, smooth flow of ink.

With the Moleskine plain notebook, a favorite gel pen and your imagination is all you need. Getting up the courage to mark the first page is another story.