I like that photo

I scribble in my small, purse notebook faithfully. However, by the time I leave the din of the hectic city streets for my quiet study, I sometimes aren't sure what I was trying to capture with my scribbles! Does this happen to anyone else?  I jotted down "Virgina Clemm-Poe's wife" on the inside cover of my notebook a while back and now I wonder, was I interested in her p.o.v., her young age, her doomed marriage, her everything? It's the germ iof an idea, anyway...  

I so know what you are talking about!  I scribble on the palm of my hand so often... these quick little moments of genius can turn into such fun blog posts for me.  I often will just start a blog post and simply give it a title--it will remind me of what I wanted to explore!

some media devices have voice recorders too if you find yourself without pen and paper....phones, mp3/4 players, etc

I have a pen on my night table that lights up when twisted. I used to have a light up notepad.

Oh, yes, Debra, that's right. Good one. I have an iPhone3, the old one. I got an app called Dragon Dictation, I think. It's not perfect, but if I don't have a note pad and don't have time to type out long paragraphs it comes in handy. You can dictate to it, then it translates what you say into text, and you can email it to yourself.

The translation part is definitely challenged and makes for some laughs later on. But I imagine in the newer iphones the dictation apps are more accurate.

the iphone and most smart phones have a "notes" app.  Very useful for this purpose.  Also, i think it might even have a voice recording function so perhaps one could dictate?

I use my cell to call my home phone and leave a voicemail for myself with the idea.  I like to start the voicemail with, "Hello, Future Barbara, this is Barbara from the Past with a story idea."

I got the idea from my mom, who leaves voicemails for herself on her job phone to remind herself to check her court calendar for vacation days, etc.  VMs are great for a frazzled brain that leaks like a sieve.

I literally open a manila "file" for each idea I come up with. I write the project title on the tab and then slip the napkin, scrap of paper, etc. into the jacket. When I'm having a hard time working through a job, I give myself permission to pluck one file from the bunch and develop an outline, treatment or overview. You'd be surprised how many of my projects get done in tandem this way (both the fun stuff and the work assignments).

Great post Maria, I have notebooks everywhere.  I can't remember 5 thoughts from point A to B. So if I have to drive with my knee I'll get my thoughts on paper to make room for the next ones!

Someone gave me a small notebook recently (I have many writing notebooks but all bigger than this one) and I realise because it is so small and light, I always, always put it in my ever changing hand/daybag (I 'm always changing the bag I take out so only take the necessary), but this particular notebook has proved to be a real delight because I realise I have captured so many of those 'easy to lose' ideas and was reminded of how easy it is to forget them when I read from it to a friend a couple of days ago, some of the ideas can even become lost within the pages of the notebook, so its a good idea to go back and read it often. Thanks for sharing, a wonderful post.

I have two rules, always have a book on me and always have pen and paper on me.  You never know when you will need either!

I like it!! Ideas come to me at the oddest times and it seems I always forget exactly what it was. Thanks for the suggestions.

Makes sense - thanks for sharing this tip!

-J.R.

Hee hee, Jacynth. I tell so many people about them I should get a commission! But when something works like they say it's going to, I don't mind telling people about it. I buy a lot of them at once to save on shipping and give them as gifts to writer friends.

Woah. I do my best thinking in the shower...googling Aqua notes right now!

I've always had a notebook in the car, in my purse, on my desk and by the bed. (Or, if you'd rather, scrap paper.) And I use them.

A new thing to love love love, if you're as addicted to jotting things as I am: Aqua Notes. This is a note pad you can hang in the shower. It comes with its own special pencil and suction cups to stick it on the shower wall. You can write on it when it's wet, even if it's under water.

What can I say? I get good ideas in the shower.

Just google them, they have their own website and they're sold on Amazon, I think.

I too carry a little notebook with a pen, pencil and highlighter in my purse.  Call it overkill on the writing implements if you wish.  You never know what you're going to need.  Blank deposit slips, notes sections in the back of your calendar, that last receipt you tossed in your purse, and even napkins will work in an emergency!

Also, for any of you who use smart phones, there are notebook applications you can download, which I find very handy for this kind of thing.  I use one called GooMemo, which can sync up with my Google Docs, and then I can just copy/paste the note to my manuscript so I don't have to retype anything.  Or alternatively, you can write an unaddressed email and save it to your drafts. ;)

I've carried a little notebook with me for years. I have to confess that I'm a serial eavesdropper. Some people have a witty way of expressing themselves and sometimes I just have to scribble bits and pieces of their conversation. It's particularly entertaining to listen to exchanges between strangers who have somehow managed to annoy each other: the old guy and the clerk at Home Depot, the pedestrian and the yellow cab driver, cops and the OWS protesters. You can learn some very colorful language when people let their guard down.

This is just the kick in the butt I needed to start carrying a small notebook around! I've always felt it would be embarrassing or silly to just start writing after a class or meeting, that people would be like "you're taking yourself too seriously." But it does seem to be totally worth it to just write things down while they're fresh in their mind. Thanks!

J.R

So true. I carry a little pad (with a little pen) with me everywhere. As well as a bedside notebook...even if it won't make any sense in the morning!

I totally agree!