Topic: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

Hello!

Working on a new short story. The opening is kind of weak. What I have dives right into the story; still, it could be more gooder. That lack of up-front, gripping tension kinda stalled my writing. (That and a severe case of procrastinitis, which is an infection of the procrastination gland, in case you ain't not know that.)

I work overnights as a CT/MRI technologist. While working, I was tossing around ideas for a revised opening. I actually thought of additional front material (only a few paragraphs, including some dialogue) that would serve just fine--better than fine, actually. It rocked! It was like one of those BOOM! moments in your mind.  I was with a patient at the time and couldn't take the seconds necessary to jot my idea down. While bringing the patient back to the ER, a nurse asked me something, then I had to stop and do something else, then finish the patient's CT computer work, then another patient came up, and of course the phone was blowing up, and... Well, sadly, my glimmer of greatness was gone. I had remnants, but not that rockin' original flow that just spurted orgasmic-like from the deep hardness of my mind. (Some could argue it musta not been all that great then, but trust me, it was one of those 'Holy crap, did I just think of that? I, a mere mortal?' moments.)

Anyway, this ain't not the first time for me to lose something like that. I was wondering how many of my fellow scribes here have suffered the same affliction. I like to think of it as Lostis Idealitis, or maybe Chancus Blownuppus. Anyone else come down with a case?

Quote Post 1

Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

Seabass...Happens to me all the time. I have a 45-50 minute drive to and from work, so the car is my usual brainstorming place and yes many times by the time I get to work I've forgotten those great passages. Anyway, what I have done, since I'm driving is to record my words into my phone. I have bluetooth in my car so it's the equivalent of speaking on the phone and does not become dangerous. Obvs you can't be using your phone while you have a patient, but perhaps using this technique when you can will save some frustration.

Happy to hear that someone else suffers from this memory loss too......Denise

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

I've gotten ideas for a new novel, didn't write them down, and then forgotten them. Once I did write it down but then couldn't find the scrap of paper I used! Oh-so-clever plot segments often come to me lying in bed just before drifting off to sleep. Sometimes I can remember them! smile

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

I've had this happen! A LOT. I used to scribble everything down on a scrap of paper and stuff it into my pocket, if I could. I would often come home with papers flying everywhere. I hated to lose those excellent ideas. *

Often even when I captured them, though, the scene wanted to go a different way once it came to the writing. I think sometimes it's a good thing to lose those inspirations. Then you're not wedded to them.

It is frustrating though. smile

*Okay, I still do this.

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

For the twenty years I was in the navy, and ever since, I carry what we called a "wheel pad". It is a simply notebook about postcard size, made of bound paper in which you write everything you're told to do or have done. That way, nothing escapes you. Now, I carry a small spiral notebook in my shirt pocket. When inspiration hits me, I write it down, transcribing it to a special Word file called "Stuff I Might Use".

It seems to work, although, like Corra says, some plot ideas need to be forgotten. smile

Bill

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

I started using my phone to take dictation. It even types the words out for me.

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

You're an amateur when it comes to losing ideas, Charles. :-)  I sometimes forget them even as I scramble to write them down. Sleeping pills will do that.

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

C J Driftwood wrote:

I started using my phone to take dictation. It even types the words out for me.

I've done this! I love the voice to text feature. But I'm almost always with a crowd, so I feel funny, like I'm sending a note to the mother ship or something.

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

corra wrote:
C J Driftwood wrote:

I started using my phone to take dictation. It even types the words out for me.

I've done this! I love the voice to text feature. But I'm almost always with a crowd, so I feel funny, like I'm sending a note to the mother ship or something.

Just pretend you're talking to someone on the phone.n smile

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

I really should have thought of that...

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11 Reply by B Douglas Slack (edited by B Douglas Slack 2017-05-08 22:22:37)

Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

** shameful horn-tooting **

For a chuckle about voice-to-text, see my short story "Verbatim". There is a point when technology can bite you where you least expect it. So, beware when dictating to your phone.

Bill

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

Okay, all these are wonderful ideas, but unfortunately under the situation Seabrass described, he didn't have time to use a phone or write something down, so you just have to repeat the scenario to yourself as often as can be afforded at the moment and hope it sinks in. I've also found that if I relax and try to visualize exactly what I was doing and thinking at the moment of inspiration, it often comes back to me. Other than that, you might try a voice activated recorder and strap it to your person in the least offensive manner possible. Good luck. Take care. Vern

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13 Reply by njc

Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

The best ideas come while driving.  For your situation ... maybe it will help to learn shorthand.  If you can write 130 wpm, you might find time to jot it down ... and nobody else will know what you wrote.

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

njc wrote:

The best ideas come while driving.  For your situation ... maybe it will help to learn shorthand.  If you can write 130 wpm, you might find time to jot it down ... and nobody else will know what you wrote.

Personally (not to get personal, mind you) but John Hamler's bestest ideas come while showering. Whilst soaping and caressing and exploring every slickened crevice of Hamler's magnificent bod. If someone could just come up with a waterproof iPhone app... Or a doodad that could transcribe my shower thoughts...

Well, what are y'all waiting for?

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Re: Did you ever think of those perfect words...

Back when I was working a particularly complicated technology project, I used to walk up and down Manhattan after work. Every time I had a good idea, I would find at a payphone and leave myself a message. The 21st  century equivalent is a simple voice recorder. They're very small and lightweight and easily fit into a pocket.

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