What is a literary “sketchbook,” and why do we recommend that all creative writers keep one? In this article, we introduce one of our favorite and most powerful tools for not only practicing and growing creative writing skills, but compiling a wealth of ideas in a way that is fun, personal and pressure-free.
Table of Contents
Bookmark this post on Pinterest for future reference!
What is a Literary Sketchbook?
Many writers already have a big writing goal or project in mind (like a first novel!), which likely came up if you’ve used our free downloadable guide and workbook to explore the why behind your writing dreams. Having those goals is a powerful motivator, and if you already have ideas, no doubt you will want to get to work on them right away!
Just remember, not everything you create needs to have the pressure of becoming a final project or of proving something about your worth as a writer, and if you are a complete beginner, it’s especially important to give yourself grace and practice while making your way over the learning curve.
That’s why, regardless of your aspirations or experience level, we recommend that every writer keep a literary “sketchbook.” Just like artists keep sketchbooks to play with ideas, experiment with their materials and master techniques in a low-stakes environment, a literary sketchbook, which contains words rather than pictures, is a place where a writer can play and learn without pressure or expectation. Your literary sketchbook can be a dedicated notebook, a folder of documents on your computer, a digital tool like a Notion dashboard, or whatever system suits your preferences and work style best.
Creative work is play. It is free speculation using the materials of one’s chosen form.
– Stephen Nachmanovitch
Why Use a Literary Sketchbook?
Many writers fall into the trap of feeling that every idea needs to become something bigger, like a complete short story or novel. But that pressure can be counterproductive. Here’s how a literary sketchbook can help relieve that pressure and strengthen your skills:
- Gives You Permission to Be Imperfect: In a sketchbook, perfection isn’t the goal — growth is. This mindset allows you to explore ideas without the stress of “getting it right” or wondering if it’s “good enough.” Over time, you may surprise yourself with how many of these “sketches” become the foundation for larger, more polished pieces.
- Encourages Regular Practice: Just as an artist sketches daily to improve their skills, writing regularly — even small amounts — builds consistency. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to write, and the more natural it feels.
- Boosts Creativity Through Play: A sketchbook is a judgment-free zone. You can write unusual scenes, play with abstract concepts, or try out a new setting. By approaching writing as play, you’re more likely to stumble upon unique ideas and narratives.
- Helps You Find Your Unique Voice: Voice is a quality that develops over time, and your sketchbook is the perfect place to experiment with tone, word choice, and structure. Letting yourself freely express ideas and try different styles can reveal your personal writing voice.
- Builds a Reserve of Ideas: Writers often have fragments of ideas without a clear purpose. By recording these “sketches,” you build a treasure trove of concepts, characters, or settings that you can revisit when starting a new project.
- Promotes Growth Over Time: Looking back on past entries allows you to see how far you’ve come. Observing your own progress can be hugely encouraging and a reminder that the journey is as important as the end result.
How to Use a Literary Sketchbook
Think of a literary sketchbook as a creative journal dedicated to writing practice. It’s a place for snippets, scenes, character profiles, descriptions, or brief story ideas. It isn’t meant for public viewing, nor is it tied to any requirement to produce a “complete” work. Instead, it’s a safe and private space where you can:
- Collect ideas (this is where your on-the-go system is vital!) and record them in your sketchbook. Ideas might come to you from conversations you have or overhear, books or media you consume, or seemingly random thoughts and aha moments as you go about your day.
- Use prompts. Some prompts offer a first sentence (“I couldn’t believe he brought that filthy thing in here…”), while others provide a concept or premise (two characters fight over an object that one wants to claim and one wants to destroy) or play with a trope (write your own spin on the “true love breaks the curse” trope). You can use prompts that have been prepared for you or create your own.
- Play with developing characters. You can pull from your imagination or use some character-based prompts to get you started. (The enneagram, especially when randomized, can be a fun element to consider including!)
- Imagine a setting and describe its details. If you are into fantasy, you can brainstorm worlds, cultures or magic systems.
- Do a “master study” and emulate an author you admire by writing something using their techniques and style, with your own twist.
- Sketch out plot maps and story arcs, possibly with multiple variations or a twist on a genre standard (let’s map out a romance that’s actually a story for children about a bird and a fish).
- Write notes about what you like or don’t like about books you read, movies you watch, some art you saw, etc. Take note of the thoughts they trigger and what you might like to explore in your own writing (I hate how they handled the ending, here’s how I would change it.)
Above all, your sketchbook is your personal creative space that you can use in whatever way works best for you. It’s not meant to be shared (unless you want to), and its contents don’t need to be polished (unless you want to). The goal is uninhibited, abundant creative flow.
Common Literary Sketchbook Roadblocks
Remember:
- There’s no such thing as “using up” an idea.
Don’t save ideas for when you have better skills or feel “ready.” Use your very best ideas now – your ideas, and skills, will only improve with time! Just because you play with an idea now doesn’t mean you can’t come back to the same idea again later on and reuse it in later work. Ideas evolve, get combined in interesting ways, and are reborn in new forms you can’t even imagine now. Capture them in your sketchbook so they are ready and waiting for their moment! - There’s no such thing as a “wasted effort.”
Just because an idea in your sketchbook seems like a “failure” or like it didn’t go anywhere doesn’t mean it won’t end up a key component of a later work or a jumping off point for a great idea in the future. Besides, even a “failed” experiment is a valuable lesson for what works and what doesn’t in your writing and provides beneficial experience. - You will never “run out” of ideas.
There will always be more ideas; there is no reason to treat each good idea like it is the best idea you will ever have in your life and must be treated like something scarce and fragile.
By consistently contributing to your literary sketchbook, not only will you have a wealth of ideas to draw on at any time, you will undoubtedly see rapid improvement with your writing and storytelling skills. While playing in a pressure-free environment is the goal of the sketchbook, don’t be surprised when your “sketches” are the spark that leads to your next big project or gives you the key insight to transform your work!
How to Start Your Own Literary Sketchbook
Starting a literary sketchbook doesn’t require much—just a notebook, or even a digital document. Here are a few tips:
- Dedicate Time Each Day or Week: Aim for consistent, small entries. A few sentences, a character sketch, or a paragraph of dialogue is all it takes.
- Experiment Freely: Set aside any pressure to create polished prose. Try unusual combinations, new styles, or different genres.
- Look for Inspiration in Everyday Life: Jot down snippets from conversations, descriptions of places, or observations of people. Anything can become material for your sketchbook.
Final Thoughts
A literary sketchbook is a powerful tool for any writer looking to explore, practice, and grow. It’s a space free from judgment or the need to produce a complete, polished piece. By embracing imperfection and focusing on creativity, you’ll build your skills, discover new ideas, and perhaps even ignite inspiration for your next great story.
So go ahead, start your literary sketchbook today, and give yourself permission to write, explore, and experiment. Happy writing!
