I think I’m going to make it a life mission to get more people into fountain pens and Hobonichi Techo! The Hobonichi Techo has enough structure that I’m able to create quick spreads and enough freeform that I don’t feel constricted. It’s also small, only an A6 size (a little less than 4×6 inches) but has enough room to fit a lot of information.
Much like novel writing, for me, some structure is beneficial. 😉
Goal Setting
At the beginning of the year, the techo has two pages entitled “Turning the Page on Next Year…”
For 2021, these two pages, I chose to do goal setting and milestones.
For 2022, I added a list of projects I want to complete.
Monthly Goals
The Techo features a page for the next month as well. On this page, I detail my goals for the month.
The Fully Structured Layout
This was the initial layout for my writing log. I spent hours in 2020 devising the best way to create a page that is fast to put together and aesthetically pleasing. I used this layout maybe 5-6 times before I stopped because it was too structured and too much like bullet journaling. However, if you like a lot of structure, this layout goes together super fast and it packs a lot of information in a compact punch. Best of all, all you need is a highlighter and a pen. (Recommended: Zebra Mildliners)
The FreeForm Layout
As the year went by, I started doing freeform layouts. I have a sticker obsession, you see, so I started using these writing logs as an excuse to actually use my stickers. (So wild!)
These are writing logs from Word Dancer sessions. They ranged from pretty to scribbles. The wonderful thing about a Techo is that I never feel any pressure to make the perfect Techo page like I did with bullet journaling.
These are my editing logs. Though Hobonichi is a page a day, for these logs it was more like several weeks on a page.
These are other note logs, such as title workshopping or other writing log goals.
Normal Writing Logs
For 2022, I spent January attempting a new style (until I was infected with covid…) I divide the logs between Atelier Fiction, my Zoom writing group, and Self Progress Days. Some days end up unfilled. Life happens. I often prepare layouts ahead of time and if I can’t get to it, I can’t get to it. Leaving them empty reminds me that there’s a life and work balance to maintain and plans will go awry at any moment.
The Monthly Word Counts
Because this Techo is only for writing, I changed the monthly layouts to writing logs. The bottom is where I put the stats. Because it uses highlighter for decoration and only one sticker in the corner, it also came together rather quickly.
BONUS
I’ve adopted putting stickers in my Idea Book similar to the Hobonichi. Because I enjoy using stickers and decorating pages, this ends up being part of my creative process because it relaxes me and gets me in a nice mood to actually write. Think of it more as a pregame for writing to get my brain to a point where it can work without restrictions.
Here are some layouts and some unused layouts. I usually match the stickers to the mood of the piece.
My favorite place to get stickers from? I subscribe to Stickii Club! Every month I get the packs I think are most interesting. You get so many every month that I have a huge backlog to use. My personal favorite pack is usually Pop. For 2021, they killed it. I ended up getting all three packs every month.
Where to find Hobonichi Techo?
Hobonichi Techo are imports, mostly carried in specialty stationery stores. Usually, it’s easiest to find them during release season in September or Spring release in February. A lot of the popular covers will sell out hours after release, but there’s always a selection of basic covers available.
Stores such as Goulet Pens, Jetpens, Anderson Pens, Yoseka Stationery, Goldspot, Pen Chalet, or Droomgoole’s will stock Hobonichi items. Because Hobonichi pairs perfectly with fountain pens, usually any fountain pen store will also have a few techo on sale. Amazon also has a limited selection of items. You can also purchase directly from Hobonichi in Japan, but the shipping fees to America can be rather costly.
And one last note, the community behind the planner is incredible
When I first became acquainted through Hobonichi Techo, it was through a video game website. The creator of the techo is the creator of the cult-classic videogame Earthbound/Mother. After that brief introduction, it was the communities found in Discord, Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit that really captured the techo experience. There’s no drama, just mutual appreciation and sharing of how we each interpret the planner pages. When I switched to Passion Planner in 2020, the community around the techo is what I missed the most. Nowadays, I utilize a Day-Free for personal and an Original/English Planner for writing and school-related work. The days leading up to the grand reveal of the covers and new items for the upcoming year in August are full of excitement. Often, the website will crash in the opening hours of the website launch due to the Hobonichi lovers around the world checking out the new product lines.