Friday, June 3, 2011

How to keep up with flow of ideas, without abandoning current project.

At any given time I have about 32 books running through my head. I have to focus on my current project or I will never get anything done.

The most important thing I do so I don’t loose all the good ideas that come to me while I am working on my current project is to keep note books EVERYWHERE!!!!! I have about seventeen floating around.

I keep them in my purse, car (when I’m not driving), gym bag, diaper bag, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and in random places so I can get to them quick if I get a good idea.

Once a week I gather up the note books and record them as “Splash Pages” or notes in my book files. My computer desktop looks crazy, but it’s organized into folders and documents.

Don't let a good idea go, but remember to stay focused.


18 comments:

  1. I have a big problem with staying focused! I am a freelance article writer as well as a fiction writer and it's hard for me to balance the two! I am sure I will work it out one day though! :D

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  2. I keep notebooks and pads of paper everywhere, too! I'm never at a loss when inspiration strikes. :)

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  3. I really need to keep a notebook. I use to just use scrap pieces of paper, but too many of them ended up in my son's mouth!

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  4. That's a great idea. :-)

    I might just steal it, if you don't mind.

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  5. I always have pen and paper on me. I've had flashes while driving. Caveat, pull over before writing. :) I keep the notebooks, too. I love journals.

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  6. I used to keep notebooks everywhere as well, and would never be caught without one, but have since stopped. I need to start up again, because frantically trying to type out what I want on my phone (using swype nonetheless) normally only leads to part of it getting down, along with some hilarious autocorrects.

    Thanks for the post, it was a good reminder!

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  7. I have notebooks. I think I need a notebook for EVERYWHERE! LOL

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  8. I have a blog post I update regularly with various ideas and progress on current projects. I have a story file on my computer full of story ideas. I have it backed up on Dropbox and I add to it frequently. I have notebooks with little snippets of ideas written down in them all over the place.

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  9. Hi Deirdra,

    I keep index cards everywhere. I seem to get good ideas for blog posts when I am relaxing in the living room. The index cards don't take up much space and are easy to toss on my desk and go through later.

    Take care,

    Kathy M.

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  10. All writers should keep at least one notebook.

    Sometimes I swear I'll remember a "eureka" thought even if I don't write it down, but the next day *poof* it's already been purged from my brain.

    I've learned the hard way it's better to jot things down in a cluttered notebook ASAP than to trust my cluttered brain to remember it later.

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  11. My main problem is that I can't seem to organize all the notes i've scribbled down into a comprehensive plot :P Lot's of great ideas and nowhere to put them...

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  12. I hate nothing more than needing to write something down and not being able to find a notebook!! I try to keep one with me everywhere I go.

    I am going to borrow your idea of splash pages - that's a great one. I usually just find myself rummaging through the house, going "I know I wrote that down somewhere..."

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  13. Hey Deirdra! Just wanted to let you know that I gave you a couple of awards over at my blog. Hope you like them!

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  14. I finally had to condense to 2 notebooks, a small one for my purse and a big one for everywhere else. I like your idea of putting them into the computer often.

    Stop by to get your "sweet reward" :)

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  15. My answer is sticky notes. They are everywhere--on the computer, my dresser, my wall. I even found one on my cat the other day!

    http://chaotic-gibberish.blogspot.com

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  16. What in interesting and refreshing blog! Found you by chanced, clicked a button on another blog...I'm a writer as well, so am always happy to follow other writers. Will look at your "pages"! Maybe you'll follow me back!

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