Action Writing (a quick post), and Canteo

Canteo A5 Notebook.I’ve been working hard (through a lot of pain, too) to create a great — and great looking — blog and website.

I really hope that you’re liking the results. So far, I’ve received a lot of positive feedback — I appreciate all of it — it lets me know that I’m headed in the right direction.

Many ink-lovers were pleased to see my work back up; I hope that they like my new style, and I hope that my work inspires some ink comments (handwritten, however you want to!) and new inkbloggers and Tablet PC contributors. Technology is enabling and exciting — changing the world… and we get to decide if that’s for better or worse.

I’ve been working on new artwork and designs… I’ve created a few marketing pieces and I’m currently working with several people to turn ideas into actions.

The results of my work can be seen here, along with some of my inspirations. Over the next few days, I’ll add books, materials and products to this site with my Amazon Associates ID. If you’re planning on buying something from Amazon anyway, please help this site stay afloat and keep the content coming by giving me some credit. Hopefully, I can pay it forward — hopefully, you think I’m worth it.

Design needs a designer.

If you’re looking to get a product marketed or a project off of the ground, let me know. I might be able to personally help — I can certainly point you in the right direction. If you’re looking for graphic design or typography, look no further.

If you’re looking to jump-start a project on your own, you may want to try BackpackIT by 37signals or the more creativity-focussed Action Method by Behance. I’ve used Backpack for several years now, and I actively use Action Method paper products… both are great for organization… both can be free, and have very reasonably priced paid upgrades.

Writing offline — paper, paper!

Today I received two packages in the mail: one from Canada containing Canteo Classeur notebooks (Swiss made — more photos at my “gallery”) and a Rhodia webnotebook, the other from Behance’s Creatives Outfitter containing an assortment of Action Method offline GTD organization tools. No more Moleskine notebooks for me; I’ve found reasonably-priced alternatives superior to Moleskine in every-way, and I can’t hardly wait to share my findings. I’m likely going to review all of these… most particularly, the Canteo notebooks — extremely difficult to find, previously unavailable in the US.

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The excitement has just begun. For the past few years, I’ve tried to create things — do things — that help people. I’ve struggled through some difficult things and found happiness in words, the art of communication. I hope that these posts can inspire and inform. In addition to writing about paper products and GTD tools, I’m going to interview a hypnotist and therapists to discuss serious issues in hopes that I can offer solid advice and help to those in-need.

Comments

[Steam Effort]

Awesome blog, Brad. Only just noticed your Facebook message. I've got this bookmarked now.

I've used Backpack since you originally suggested it to Andy and myself, mostly just as a way of organizing websites I use and the account information for them. Considering I used to be the guy who had to make a new account practically every time I used a website I hasn't visited in a while because I forgot the password, it has come in handy several times. Thanks for that!

Your inkblogging is great too, and a joy to look at, aesthetics-wise. Hope it'll stay a regular part of this blog.

By the way, I'm currently running a blog based around steampunk and neo-Victorian styles. I was amazed at just how many people emailed me, when I posted on Craigslist that I was looking for steampunk artists, designers, or inventors who would like their stuff featured on my blog. One gentleman even sent me a free copy of a commercial video game he worked on, for me to review! I'm getting an average of 10 independent views a day-- any tips for getting that number higher?

-Daniel
www.steameffort.wordpress.com