Writing Materials - Notebook

[Deb]

Here's a picture I took a while ago of me writing, pushing the page up so I'm ready to go to the next page. Yes I was on the first column, but sometimes you will do that during dictation. If you have to make long notes about your dictation, major changes, first draft of a paper or report, etc., you will write down one column only with the changes in the second column. As a writer you may choose to do this. You might do this if you need to check figures or spellings or names.

[mistyrain]

In a pinch, if you don't have a steno book, you can use regular wide rule loose leaf paper. (College rule paper lines are far too narrow)

You can fold it down the long way to make a crease in place of a line. But, you don't fold the paper so that the edges meet together. Bring the right side edge over to the line that is on the left side of the paper, move the right edge so that it is covering that line (about 1/4 inch or 1 cm) and crease it for a line.

If this isn't clear explanation for you, let me know. I'll try to do a picture of what I mean.

[Deb]

True, you can use other types of paper.
I did a few on different pieces of paper, including blank paper. Links on in replies 7 and 8 on the page 1.

[Deb]

If you can't find a green tint notebook, a white paper notebook is fine. The green tint is great if you're practicing or taking dictation for long periods of time as it's easier on the eyes. If you find you are writing for long periods of time, different lighting or even different pen with different ink might help. Also, don't forge to blink

[Deb]

What kind of notebook do you use? A picture would be nice if you have one.

[Deb]

From the Gregg Writer, 1913

[Deb]

Invest in good quality notebooks. I bought the ones from the big box store that were cheap, but had good, green tint paper (Gregg Rules of course), and had sturdy cover and back. I just found some at a dollar store that were bright white and flimsy cover and thin paper. These will work in a pinch or when you don't have the money.

Please note: I said "good", not "great". Don't waste money on expensive ones when you're first learning.

Notice I said quality but they don't need to be expensive. Especially as you're just learning. If you can stand the bright white, try them out. The green tint is for long practice or dictation periods, it's easier on your eyes. If you're steno book is on a hard table or surface when you're writing, then any type of cover and back is sufficient. If you have a stand or can easily read your notes and sit comfortably while typing up your shorthand, then again, any cover and back will work.

NOTE: I always will say "steno books" because I use those and the Gregg Ruled are perfect for learning and writing shorthand on. But you can use any paper, I have. Again, I still believe in steno books as a great paper to learn shorthand on. But that's my opinion. Your results may vary. Choose what works for you.

[Deb]

An idea from the Gregg Writer. I think this might work for taking dictation for the first time. I've never done this, just went down one column to the bottom back up to the top of the next column on a steno book page. But it's an interesting idea.

Note: there's all ready a line down a steno book, so you can ignore that advice.

[Deb]

This just from our office supply store and I don't have the packaging, sorry. I'll check later to see what it's called. But this sticky note (Post-It) is almost the same width of a steno ruled notebook.

[Deb]

I measured the 3 lines to an inch in my notebook and it's perfectly that way. It is a Gregg Ruled Notebook.

[Deb]

Some of the cheaper notebooks have thin covers and don't stand up (see post 2 for one that does). You can use a regular typing stand and put them on the top.

This one had some of the top cut out so it was specifically made to hold a steno book, but you can use any in a similar manner. (You will also notice that the bottom to hold paper is wide. It was wide enough to hold a regular 80 page steno book in.)

[Deb]

There are other notebooks. Looking on Amazon, I found this Reporter's Notebook, which is more narrow then the notebook with the line down the center. If you can, I would suggest using the one with the line down the center when starting, simply because they're less expensive. However, if you're going into reporting, this would be good to practice on as well.

[Deb]

There seems to be only one Steno Pad holder available on Amazon (maybe auction sites might have some older versions?). I did find a 3 ring binder that seemed to work pretty good with a pocket in the back that can hold the steno book, here is a picture.

[lvw]

Lined paper seems to come in two principal kinds: college-ruled and wide-ruled. Wide ruled paper has the lines the same distance apart as Gregg-ruled steno pads. It might be cheaper to buy a ream or a couple of notebooks of wide-ruled paper to practice exercises, rather than a bunch of steno pads.

[Deb]

Here is a sample of some homework done on blank paper by tam. greggshorthand.proboards.com/post/3966/thread