You should always keep a notebook with you, according to every piece of writing advice ever. Jot down ideas, thoughts, notes, overheard conversations, random observations, one-liners, story ideas. Write anything. Write everything. Write all the time. I used to wonder who had time for that. But now, I make the time, because after reading Harriet the Spy, I’ve come to love keeping a writer’s notebook.
Written by Louise Fitzhugh and published in 1964, Harriet the Spy follows the adventures of Harriet Welsch, a spunky eleven-year-old with dreams of becoming a writer. To accomplish her writing goals, she spies on people and writes juicy gossip about them in her secret spy notebook. Harriet enjoys herself for a while, but then her classmates get their grubby little hands on the notebook—and let’s just say they are none too thrilled with what Harriet’s written about them. For instance:
—The reason Sport dresses so funny is that his father won’t buy him anything to wear because his mother has all the money.
—Who does Janie Gibbs think she is kidding? Does she really think she could ever be a scientist?
—Sometimes I can’t stand Sport.
Yes, Harriet is catty and scathing, but the girl does have a keen sense of observation. Spoiler alert: Harriet gets her notebook back, her friends forgive her, and she gets to write for the school newspaper. (I love happy endings!)
Here are a few tips for a successful writer’s notebook, inspired by Harriet:
- Pretend you are a spy. Most writers call what Harriet does “observing,” but she calls it “spying,” which is way more cool. Harriet hides, eavesdrops, peeks through windows—she even sneaks into people’s houses. Acceptable behavior for a spy. So, take some risks, spy on people, and write down everything you can about them.
- Bring the notebook everywhere. Harriet always has her notebook. She carries it around the house to write smack about her family. She carries it to school to write smack about her classmates. She carries around the neighborhood to write smack about the neighbors. You get the idea. Become one with the notebook.
- Protect your notebook from prying eyes. As I mentioned, Harriet gets herself into a whole lot of trouble when the notebook is stolen, and her classmates read all the catty things she’s written about them. Lock that book down.
- Do something with your observations. Harriet’s nurse, Ole Golly, who has gotten married and moved away, tells Harriet in a letter that it’s time to put all those observations to good use. She says:
I have decided that if you are ever going to be a writer it is time you got cracking. You are eleven years old and haven’t written a thing but notes. Make a story out of some of those notes and send it to me.
Wise words from a wise woman. All those overheard conversations and random observations can come in handy. So, thanks, Harriet (and Ole Golly). I’ve picked up some great tips from you about keeping a writer’s notebook. Now, off I go: It’s spy time.
