Write Your Ideas Down Before You Forget Them
It doesn’t matter how good your ideas are, the chances are in 24 hours you won’t remember what that wonderful idea was that you thought you’d write about. Make sure you write it down.
I left home early this morning, tired from late night Olympic viewing and having to get up early on a Saturday morning. The morning was clear and there was little traffic on the road at that early hour. I’d allowed myself two and a half hours to drive a trip that normally takes one hour fifty minutes. This meant there’d be plenty of time for a coffee stop along the way.
With the roads still empty of heavy traffic, my mind started thinking of writing. As I drove one, then another, then another idea for a short online article popped into my head. I played with ideas as I drove, talking out loud to myself of how the opening paragraphs might look.
The intention was that when I reached my destination I would jot down these obviously brilliant ideas. But I didn’t. On arriving I checked my cell phone, answered a couple of text messages, then grabbed my writing portfolio and headed off to my writing course. Writing down my ideas had completely slipped my mind.
Only now, ten hours later, have I had a chance to wonder what it was I was going to write. All three ideas seemed really fresh and exciting this morning. But, what were they? I’ve wracked my brain and managed to recall two of the three titles I’d decided upon for the articles, but how they were going to start has completely vanished from my mind.
I know as well as any writer the importance of jotting ideas down in a notebook when you think of them. But in this case, I was driving and needed to arrive at my destination on time. Three articles that could have been written have not had a chance to make it into existence.
Let this be a warning to all writers. Make sure you write ideas down as they occur to you. Don’t trust your luck as I did, presuming they are such good ideas you’ll still remember them later. Even a few jotted words can be enough to recall your ideas and restore them to your memory.
I knew I had tme to write one, maybe two new articles before I moved on to other things tonight. Now, I am left feeling robbed of ideas and have onl;y this offering to make. Don’t make the same mistake as I did. Memories are not trustworthy. If an idea charges uninvited into your head, capture it by writing it down. Whether you choose to use it at a later date or not is your option. But at least you’ll have a starting point, an idea to work with if you choose to do so.
Meanwhile I’ll console myself by returning to watch theOlympics, hoping that another idea will make it’s presence known to me before too long.
Other writing tips from Val MIlls:
What’s on Top – Writing From The Heart
Don’t Leave Home Without Your Notebook
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August 4th, 2012 at 5:05 am
I know as this has happened to me. I seem to get new ideas in the shower or while driving, then I lose them. Maybe we need a mini recorder to grab these ideas while they are fresh.
August 4th, 2012 at 5:15 am
Real good tips here Val, I do this all the time, I use the record Facilities on my mobile, so wherever I am I can still keep a record of ideas.
I used to write my best stuff whilst driving in the car.
August 4th, 2012 at 6:18 am
A very useful article so thanks for sharing and I now look forward to many more.
Eddy.
August 4th, 2012 at 8:03 am
well written great tips. thanks for sharing!
August 4th, 2012 at 8:44 am
So true. Learned this while traveling, jotting down ideas. Sometimes, I do forget to write things down.
Good reminder- good article…Thanks so much!
August 4th, 2012 at 8:50 am
Great advice. I, too forget ideas =(
August 4th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Val great article packed with good tips
Best Wishes
stevetheblogger
August 4th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
very good advice, Val.
I usually have some idea during travelling…
August 4th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Thank you for this.
August 4th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Thanks for the advice Val, I have been down this road more than once, I now keep a notepad with me at all times.
August 6th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Super article. However i cannot carry a book into the toilet to jot down ideas and most of my ideas have come at that time in that small space. LOL!!
August 6th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Great advice Val.
August 6th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
I keep a small notebook in the sun visor of my car for this very reason. Then if I’m at a red light I can quickly scribble my thoughts down. I have also written scribbles down while keeping my eyes on the road and writing all over the page with the notebook sitting in my lap. I also never go anywhere without a journal in my hand bag.
August 7th, 2012 at 1:58 am
Good advice thanks for sharing.
August 7th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Some great advice shared here.
August 12th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Good one! I keep small notebooks all around the house to make notes. This article goes well with my article on how to become a better writer http://writinghood.com/style/how-to-use-triond-to-become-a-better-writer/
August 14th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Thank you Val. I too know better than to try to remember for later. I try to keep a notebook next to my bed also as sometimes I even wake up with a fresh thought. My biggest problem is finding the uninterrupted writing time. Between taking care of my husband, working my job, feeding & watering animals, making meals, etc. etc., sometimes I just can’t seem to get a complete sentence done without an interruption. Any suggestions other than hiding out away from everyone. I try to do most of my writing at my office (I own my business so I have that freedom). It is the only place where I can get things done it seems! Ha, ha – enjoy your articles and your humor!
August 14th, 2012 at 11:48 pm
Lin, your life sounds exactly like mine!!!