Friday, August 19, 2005

Okay, I'm just about at the halfway mark on the book. It's going good. Timing is good. Still on schedule to have it finished before the end of the month, then I'll have time to go over it a couple more times to shape and tweak it.

I've got to get better at organizing my note-taking. I swear, I have about five notebooks for jotting down thoughts, ideas, one-liners, character traits, etc. But everytime I need a notebook, I don't have one handy. As a result, I have strips of paper and backs of receipts with random ramblings everywhere! And I just know I'm not going to be able to locate an idea when I need it. Case in point, when I drove to Kentucky on Tuesday. One reason I prefer driving over flying is because of the serenity of the whole thing. I can take time to meditate and think and dream up new ideas. I get some of my best ideas on the road. This past Tuesday, I got a multitude of ideas for scenes and dialogue for First Fridays. But when I make a stop for food, I notice I have not "an" notebook around. Now, I OWN several notebooks so I can keep one in my purse, one in the car, by the bed, etc., etc. But how many in my purse and car did I have then? Nada. So, I'm writing my ideas on the back of a gas receipt. Luckily, I made sure to keep it in a safe place because this is for the current story I'm working on.

Last night, I think I dreamed up a whole story (dreams are still alive and kicking). Thing is, I can't remember the main detail--like the main plot. The main plot is a pretty important part of a story. I remember getting up to jot it down, but, of course, I didn't have a notebook on the nightstand, and my legs said, "I'll be $&%!# if I get up and try to find one at this hour." So, I'm sitting here trying to figure out what it was. Seemed like it was a good story.

Of course, as I sit here blogging with not a new idea to jot, I have two of my notebooks just sitting here staring at me. Playing games. When I need them, they'll get up and go hide somewhere. Grinning and laughing at me.

I got to get more organized with my note-taking.

2 comments:

LaEquis Fri Aug 19, 12:39:00 PM EDT  

"Last night, I think I dreamed up a whole story...(Thing is, I can't remember the main detail--like the main plot. The main plot is a pretty important part of a story. I remember getting up to jot it down, but, of course, I didn't have a notebook on the nightstand, and my legs said, "I'll be $&%!# if I get up and try to find one at this hour." ..."

This used to happen to me ALL the time! It was so frustrating. So now I keep a notebook on the floor next to my bed (entitled "Bedside Notes") because most times I'm too tired (or lazy) to reach over to the nightstand :). I write in the dark, just scribbling my thoughts, a sort of stream of consciousness. Some of my best scenes have evolved that way.

Cherlyn Michaels Sat Aug 20, 08:57:00 AM EDT  

Hey Laequis,
Yeah, see, that was the plan with the 5 notebooks I have. To keep one in every possible spot,so I'd never be without one. But I write, and move, and take the notebook with me and I don't return it its designated area. LOL Maybe I need to get better at putting things back where they're supposed to be, huh?
THANKS!