Friction, Reward and Productivity Systems

Stationery Freaks: A Deep Dive into the Prolific World of Author Jenny Kane (and Her Emotional Support Pencil Case!)In this very special episode Rob and Helen are joined by our very special guest, the incredibly prolific author Jenny Kane. We have briefly mentioned Jenny in the past as she is Helen's writing mentor. In this episode we chat about the astonishing breadth of Jenny's literary career, spanning over two decades and encompassing more than 200 short stories and over 70 books across various genres and pen names – from her novels as Jenny Kane, and historical fiction as Jennifer Ash, to her "X-rated" works under KJB (for which she's won awards!).Honestly, the part about Jenny's dedication, routine and writing habits is pure Gold. Jenny shares with us the reasons behind her "emotional support pencil case" and her meticulous colour-coding system for pens. Learn about her superstitious approach to choosing themed notebooks for each novel, and how these notebooks become the "little Bible" for every story, meticulously documenting plot, characters, and even overused words.We also chat about Jenny's remote teaching courses, connecting with students globally.Jenny chats about the reason behind the "Jenny Kane corner" in a coffee shop and the surprisingly early starts to her working day.Plus, don't miss Jenny's ingenious and hilariously practical "Desert Island Stationery" survival kit – complete with a ruler for swatting and drawing pins for mapping!Whether you're a fellow stationery enthusiast, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about the life of a highly successful author, this episode offers a fun and delightful glimpse into Jenny Kane's world of words, routine, and, of course, beloved stationery.And also why searching for Jenny Kane Mars Bar Scones is deffo worth doing.Find out more in the Stationery Freaks newsletter.---Jenny's writing courses - https://www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk/Jenny's website - https://jennykane.co.uk/

How do two writers, bound by their devotion to beautiful stationery, actually write books? In this episode, Helen and Rob reveal their individual paths, uncovering the shared foundation of paper-based ideation – the noodling, expanding, and connecting that begins on the page with their beloved notebooks. Explore their transition to digital tools (Rob's a touch more intricate!), their editing journeys, and their distinct publishing routes – Helen to her website, Rob primarily through self-publishing. Expect delightful detours into UK National Stationery Week, Rob's exciting new project requiring more notebooks, and Helen's potential planner evolution. Want to see their cool process diagrams and more? The newsletter is your visual companion. But for the nuanced details and personal insights, tune in to this engaging conversation.Newsletter is here.

In this episode Helen and Rob talk about whether there was a defining moment, or time, when they became Stationery Freaks.They start with Stationery Stories:Helen has an occasion to break out a new notebook - an Atoms and Astronauts one from Vinted. Rob's been watching too much Parisian Agency on Netflix - so is trying to adopt a Parisian style and coolness with a new Folio packed with a Yellow Legal Pad and a couple of Moleskine Cahiers. Helen introduces the (potentially) new segment of the show called "Stationery Freaks in the Wild", in which she shares a story of a fellow writing retreat stationery freak who rocked up with a yellow legal and a BlackWing penHelen introduces a new concept for fellow Stationery Freaks to try - shop at home!Becoming a freakHelen remembers scented pens and rubbers/erasers as a childHelen recalls calligraphy class at school and learning to write using an italic ink penRob remembers his Chemistry teacher, Dungeon Master, who ensured students had extremely, dangerously, sharp pencilsRob remembers Christmas Eve gifts of notebooks and pensBoth recall gift shops at museumsHelen explains that she's always needed stationery to control her life, otherwise it would be a catastropheHelen also reveals that she uses stickers to denote which type of bin to put out. Rob just goes on what everyone else is doing. Rob recalls putting tunes on and writing film scripts - and how that positive feeling dwindled when he tried to do it on computers.Rob mentions that Domestika has some great tutorials on creating infographics!Helen speaks about how simply the act of thinking back to early stationery memories was a really positive experience. Is there a time when you knew you were a stationery freak? What memories do you have about early stationery use?Let us know - we're on Instagram @stationeryfreaksukThanks for listening!Subscribe to the newsletter and find all of our casts at:https://stationeryfreaks.com/

In this episode we explore why we both have huge hoards of unused and partially used notebooks, and what makes us crack open a new notebook.You can find videos, photos and a deeper dive into this topic in the newsletter.In this episode:Helen is still searching for her full collection of mechanical pencils. The Penac Protti goes down well at work, but Rob ends up with pencil all over him at work, and refuses to share his doodles with his work colleagues.  Rob describes Helen’s notebook storage unit with remarkable accuracy.Helen defines her key purpose for using a new notebook.Rob goes down the emotional route for deciding on using a new notebook (Clarity, Excitement, Despair).Rob and Helen both commit to doing a video of their notebook stashRob has 12 notebooks on the go, all originally started with a purpose, but they get morphed as he never has the right notebook, in the right place, at the right time. Helen’s least transient work is creative writing - hence her notebook has a clear purpose long term.Rob thinks pairing down to one notebook is the answer, but then the stack of spare notebooks taunt himRob finds a fellow freak who loves pens and pencils but has no time for notebooks or paper. Helen realises she will never have enough projects for all of her notebooksRob sees a business opportunity to sell his half-used notebooksHelen is off to London with her daughter and visiting a well-known stationery store. We mention these other Stationery Freaks casts:Vinted and StationeryLittle red notebook mentioned in this cast on goal setting.The dichotomy of minimalism and stationery freakness.Maria Le Van notebooks and London stationery shops.The perfect mechanical pencil.Find out more in the newsletter. Thanks for listening.Rob & Helen

In this episode we chat about all things pencil related. We cover:Why Rob has so many notebooks he cannot move his writing deskHelen's latest Vinted stationery haul - and a surprise penThe lovely folks at Penac sent us some free samples - and they are brilliantHow we use pencils and paper for getting unstuck, or in Rob's case, for 99% of his writingWhy the non-permanent nature of pencils lends itself to creative thinkingWhy Rob bought the Rotring 600 pencil but hasn't used it muchAnd much moreGet images and links to everything we discuss in the Stationery Freaks newsletter.

In this episode Helen shares how she’s getting on with her Hobonichi system, a year after making the switch from Bullet Journaling. We did an episode on this switch in early 2024 - you can listen to that episode here, where Helen shared why switching over the New Year was a bad idea. And so, a year later, we revisited this topic to hear how Helen is getting on, what’s adapted and whether she still needs a suitcase to carry around her growing sticker collection. I ask Helen about the Hobonichi system, how it differs from Bullet Journaling, how she organises her stickers, whether Helen then keeps each notebook and how her system works. Helen shares more about the Hobonichi eco-system, bulldog clips & paper clips and how she’s had to retire her massive collection of Washi tape.We also talk about or mention:Mark and Fold stationers & our chat on the show with founder Amy.Atoms to Astronauts notebooksLamy Fountain Pens (aff link)Our interview with Fountain Pen legend, Urban HafnerAnd lovely kind comments left on Rob’s video from fellow stationery freaks(Some images of Helen's planner are shared in the newsletter).

In this episode we chat about why we've been missing for a few months, our stationery purchases and how we're always in pursuit of the perfect structure.You can find images, links and other insights that accompany this podcast on our newsletter - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/We cover, amongst other topics:1. A YouTube video comment that led Rob to a new pencil purchase2. Helen talks about her Hobonichi and how she's still loving it - although struggling to find time for buying stickers3. Rob talks about keeping a ledger as a life audit4. Helen talks about her writing habit and how she uses digital and analogue in combination5. Rob talks about his shipping forecasts and how this was supposed to be the perfect structure6. Helen goes down a Rabbit Hole of creating the perfect podcast structureAnd more. Products and links mentioned in this episode:Toad in the hole is a British dish made with sausages and batter - Toad in the HoleRob's Collins LedgerOur previous episode about Hobonichi PlannersRob buys a rOtring 600 mechanical pencilHelens studying creative writingMartha Brook's advent calendarBusiness cards as stickersEpisode 1 of our previous advent calendar of stationery freaks goodness

In this episode Rob introduces his new productivity system of coloured military-style print out. Rob and Helen ponder why it's hard to find a system that works. And that maybe, they've (well, Rob) has been searching in the wrong place. Maybe, when we try to find a streamlined, slick, frictionless productivity system we're not actually getting much reward. And maybe, just maybe, higher friction system (bullet journaling, Rob's new method, Hobonichi etc) give a more meaningful reward. And maybe even, the reward is in the friction itself. Much to ponder. Find our newsletter that accompanies this here.

In this episode we chat about the magic of whiteboards. We cover:How we used them at workHow Helen's daughter uses them for learning and revisionHow Rob's son uses them for doodlingThe ephemeral nature of whiteboard contentLong running whiteboard content - and why "do not wipe" is importantIf you'd like to see the images we talk about in this session, head to the newsletter.

In this episode Helen and Rob chat about buying stationery hauls from Vinted (other platforms and services are available).We cover:Our surprise at the variety of stationery on vintedThe bargains to be hadHelen's stationery haul for an upcoming workshopRob's stationery haul for no reason other than some bargain Moleskines and a notepad with Yorkshire written on the frontHow Rob makes offers and Helen pays full priceWhat stuff they found on Vinted. Note: We have no affiliation with Vinted - we just thought you'd like to hear about the stationery goodness. Note: We believe Vinted is available in many countries - but double check and if not, no doubt there is an alternative - let us know!ThanksRob and Helen