[stylist] What's on your mind?

[Chris Kuell]

Linda,

I think we all have great titles, lines, thoughts and ideas that strike us 
at inopportune times. Many a story idea or plot twist has hit me in the 
shower, or while doing the dishes. Like you, walking is a great idea 
generator for me, and thus, I have a treadmill not 5 feet from my computer 
desk for those sudden inspirations.

Years ago I invested in a digital recorder, just a small one to keep in my 
pocket. Sometimes when I'd be walking my kids to or from school, an idea 
would hit, I would record it, and then transcribe it when I got home. I have 
a folder on my computer called 'ideas'. Within that folder are files for 
titles, lines, story ideas, book ideas, and essay ideas.

Having said all that, I don't use the digital recorder any more, and I don't 
often add things to my idea folder. What I've found over the years is that I 
rarely go back to that folder. New ideas are always springing forth, often 
just when I need them. The book and story and essay ideas are all in my 
head, along with many unrecorded ideas. When I'm looking to write something 
new, I just retrieve the one that's closest to the surface--the one that 
most wants to be written now.

When I travel, I bring along my pac mate, which is a notetaker with Jaws 
built in. Last weekend I went up to Maine to visit my folks, and I did jot 
down a few ideas, but these were mostly ideas for Christmas presents. I also 
had some ideas for my gratitude prompt, but I kept those in my head and let 
them simmer until I got back home.

chris