Using the Good Notebooks

By Joy Nicholas

I knew what the gift was before I unwrapped it. Clue 1: it was book shaped. Clue 2: I’d read my friend’s flowing cursive scrawled across the accompanying card, “Keep writing your beautiful words.”

“Oh, this is gorgeous!” I gushed, tearing the paper to reveal a notebook, its fabric cover embroidered with pink flowers on a swirling vine. “Thank you so much! I love it!” And I did—I really did. But I also knew exactly where it was going to go.

What’s wrong with you? my in...