People often seem to describe Florilegia and commonplace journals as synonymous. What would you say are the main differences? Could you distinguish them a little more? And possibly share how you set yours up?
Hi Titus, there is a lot of crossover in both descriptions and usages. However, the more the practice of journaling and commonplacing, etc., is recovered, the more distinctions will appear, I think. Personally, my use of florilegia is a cross between zibaldone and commonplace. In it, I collect my favorite of favorites (i.e., lines, turns of phrase, poems, etc.) but without really organizing them like I do with commonplaces; also, whereas my zibaldone is a wide-ranging hodge-podge, my florilegia is limited only to those entries I think are the most beautiful. How you collect, arrange, and retrieve thoughts, ideas, excerpts will really be up to you and each person will do it a little differently, but you might find Roland Allens' book helpful: https://amzn.to/3IVJUXv
One more question, Scott! How do you define "Mechanics" in your reading list? Inquiring minds....
Good question! Mostly books on grammar, syntax, and language dictionaries, but also how-things-work manuals, cook-books, etc.
This was super helpful. Hope to implement some of this.
Very helpful!
People often seem to describe Florilegia and commonplace journals as synonymous. What would you say are the main differences? Could you distinguish them a little more? And possibly share how you set yours up?
Hi Titus, there is a lot of crossover in both descriptions and usages. However, the more the practice of journaling and commonplacing, etc., is recovered, the more distinctions will appear, I think. Personally, my use of florilegia is a cross between zibaldone and commonplace. In it, I collect my favorite of favorites (i.e., lines, turns of phrase, poems, etc.) but without really organizing them like I do with commonplaces; also, whereas my zibaldone is a wide-ranging hodge-podge, my florilegia is limited only to those entries I think are the most beautiful. How you collect, arrange, and retrieve thoughts, ideas, excerpts will really be up to you and each person will do it a little differently, but you might find Roland Allens' book helpful: https://amzn.to/3IVJUXv
I appreciate it!
I love this, Scott. Can you tell me where I can learn more about the different types of notebooks you describe?
Hi Heatherly, You might find Roland Allens' book insightful. I've really enjoyed it! https://amzn.to/3IVJUXv
Thank you, Scott!
Helpful and inspiring