Do you “jot?”
I carry around a pen and paper, a mini-word processor, and a hand-held tape recorder at all times. These are for my “jots”. Those ideas I consider “starburst thoughts,” the ones that are more than a passing notion and warrant remembering. With so much to do and remember in today’s world noting things in some form or another (paper, electronic, or voice) is so important.
I have files with small slips of paper tucked in them (you need the pocket files to do this) of ideas for future characters, story ideas, books, articles, etc. Once categorized and tucked away I can safely put the thought out of my mind until I am ready for that project or need to research the idea or concept. (I need all the “ram” space in my head I can get!)
Have you ever written something down, say right before you go to sleep, or after having awoke from a dream and were sure what you wrote down was the greatest thing ever? Then when revisiting the “jottings” you realize it’s all a bunch of hooey? One thing I have learned from that is there still is possibly something to be gleaned from the original idea (kind of like a first draft) and so I have a special file for those too. You just never know what bit, part, or concept might have a glimmer of merit in there somewhere.
So, do you “jot?” I’d love to hear how others deal with those fleeting thoughts you are sure are part of the next bestseller. Write back here and give me your thoughts. Even if you think this is a bunch of “hooey”- who knows, maybe this will spark a “starburst thought” for you or, there might possibly be something you can glean from here; jot it down, and let me know.
© February 8, 2008 Marie Boyum
