I write longhand for drafts. I have those generic composition books that are fine for holding shorter pieces. However, the problem for me is that the vast majority of notebooks (including the composition notebook) don't have enough space to hold a full novel for the rough draft. I basically multiplied lines per side by number of sides in the book by how many words I can write per line. And then I take out a few thousand from the result to accommodate for notes I write (often in parenthesis right there so I don't interrupt the flow, just let the ideas come out in a straight line, although other notes are written in that big blank space on the top of each page) and for paragraph spacing (although, I just write dialogue from multiple characters on a single line, as formatting is unimportant there. Also, I just skip a line or else just write next ch. for the next chapter or section or whatever instead of going to the next page.) There are the common choices, like Moleskine, but they don't have enough space.
For the composition notebook, I get around 70,000 words. I am currently using a Black N Red 11.75" by 8.25" notebook, which is around 95,000, which should be okay for my current project, but it still isn't something I can go to for something else. It is kind of big too, so isn't the most ergonomic. The hardcover stops the overlarge papers from bending back, preserving rigidity, so that is okay, but a hardcover wouldn't be needed for something smaller. Something smaller with more pages would be ideal (composition notebook has 200 vs Black N Red with 196). I'd like if I can fold the book all the way around and write on it without anything breaking or losing much integrity. I considered those spiral bounds, but most of them are floppy. I think a decent spiral bound with above average page count, not one of the low cost ones, might be good. But then the spiral part gets too big with too many pages, like if I take out those folders of a multi-subject notebook to make it a single uniform thing, and I hate those. Which I shouldn't have to do anyway... Perhaps there is something like a leather (or other material) cover type thing where I can just refill with notebook paper to suit my needs. But then, those are just overlarge binders where the pages get ripped out too easily. And those three holes in each page are really annoying too. I have to adapt to them, not the other way around. Three times per page, six times per sheet. How dare they have such audacity! Ridiculous. Yeah, I'm picky. End rant.
So, suggestions?
For the composition notebook, I get around 70,000 words. I am currently using a Black N Red 11.75" by 8.25" notebook, which is around 95,000, which should be okay for my current project, but it still isn't something I can go to for something else. It is kind of big too, so isn't the most ergonomic. The hardcover stops the overlarge papers from bending back, preserving rigidity, so that is okay, but a hardcover wouldn't be needed for something smaller. Something smaller with more pages would be ideal (composition notebook has 200 vs Black N Red with 196). I'd like if I can fold the book all the way around and write on it without anything breaking or losing much integrity. I considered those spiral bounds, but most of them are floppy. I think a decent spiral bound with above average page count, not one of the low cost ones, might be good. But then the spiral part gets too big with too many pages, like if I take out those folders of a multi-subject notebook to make it a single uniform thing, and I hate those. Which I shouldn't have to do anyway... Perhaps there is something like a leather (or other material) cover type thing where I can just refill with notebook paper to suit my needs. But then, those are just overlarge binders where the pages get ripped out too easily. And those three holes in each page are really annoying too. I have to adapt to them, not the other way around. Three times per page, six times per sheet. How dare they have such audacity! Ridiculous. Yeah, I'm picky. End rant.
So, suggestions?