I've got an idea...but no paper...No problem!

Yesterday I shared some of the different places I've learned trigger my best writing.  I teased you with the idea of how to capture the prize winning thought and topic for my next writing piece when my trusty college-ruled, 3 subject notebook isn't available.  Hmm...For those of you who know me well some of this won't be new yet to others - you will be enlightened, or at least amused. 

Elaine W. Miller posted in her blog ( http://www.elainewmiller.blogspot.com/) this past Friday about being an "odd duck" because she is a writer.  I agree, we are "odd ducks" and it is wonderful.  There is no reason to explain why we do what we do yet it is fun to explain the different idiosyncrasies we have to one another and those interested enough to listen.  How is that for a bunny trail?

I love to write and come up with random thoughts and ideas for something to write about.  For instance while waiting for the children to come to the AWANA circle this evening, someone said "one sock on, one sock off" and I say "That is a great idea for story."  Hmm...yet I had no paper or pen in hand so the thought was lost until I started this blog.  Now that I've remembered it there are options - I can leave it on my blog so when I reread posts it triggers the memory or I might jot it down on an index card and dump it in my hanging file organizer of "random writing topics" for some day, that isn't today.  LOL

Sometimes as I listen to Pastor preach I will get this great idea and don't want to lose it so I start writing on the next clean page in my note-taking journal during his sermon.  (Sorry Pastor!) Or if it is just a random thought triggered by a word or phrase he has said, I scribble it on a sticky note and attach it to the front of my Bible.  These sticky notes end up in an array of places in my house -you never know where one might turn up and this is half the fun - I never know when God might return that sticky note to me.

While driving I seem to get the best ideas yet can't pull over to start writing so I call (hand's free) to my self at home and leave a message detailing this new and brilliant idea.  Sometimes I get home and say "Who is that?  Oh it's me...what am I talking about?" and just laugh and others, I sit down and start writing or add it to the file or stick it on a post-it and move on.  It depends on the day and my mood.

While out to dinner I love to watch people - if someone or something ignites a fuel for writing in my finger tips I will borrow a pen from the nearest person, scribble the idea on my napkin and stick in my pocket.  Now if only I could remember to take the napkins out of my pants before tossing them in the hamper, washer and dryer!  Ugh...and yes I blame an innocent family member before realizing it was me - and mourn the lost idea.

I keep washable crayons in the shower so I can write ideas on the bathroom walls while showering.  When I have a designated room for writing in my house (that isn't my living room) I would like to paint one entire wall with chalkboard paint - so I can scribble all these ideas on the wall for a visual reminder.  This would stimulate creative thinking instantly.

Basically - the nearest paper and pen, eyeliner, lipstick, crayon or answering machine I can find will capture my thoughts until "later".  When does later come?

Have a great week!
Lisa :)