In Others’ Words: Forgotten

I can’t even let myself think too long of the story ideas I’ve forgotten because I didn’t write them down.

They were brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Sometimes it was a story idea. Or just a scene. Or a snippet of dialogue with just the right zing. But I was already in bed, comfy under the covers, with my teeth brushed and my eyes at half-mast … and I knew I’d remember that little bit of brilliance in the morning.

When morning came I had nothing except a huge pile of regret weighing me down as I wandered around the house muttering, “What was it? What was it?!?”

So I’ve learned to push back the comfy covers, pull on my robe and go downstairs and write it out. If nothing else, I have my little notebook on my bedside table for a hasty scribble for those moments inspiration wakes me up at two o’clock in the morning. I even invested in a waterproof pad of paper and a pencil that is installed in my shower … just in case.

Because I’d rather be tired (or sopping wet) and inspired than dealing with writer regret.

In Your Words: Writers, tell us about the one that got away — the story, that is. And how you avoid inspiration slipping through your fingers. Readers, you have your own moments of inspiration. How do you hold onto them?