For the past few issues I’ve introduced the concept of an Idea File, defined it, and even described a thing or two which I’ve thrown into my own file. Let’s finish with this topic for now by discussing a few tips on the physical mechanics of building and maintaining such a file.
Way back in issue #2, I gently harangued the reader on the benefits of self-discipline. Here’s another place it’s needed. Because it’s all well and good to recognize ideas and observations which might lend themselves to fiction creation, but timing and follow-through is everything. A collection of great story ideas won’t write itself. If the thoughts don’t get physically recorded, the file remains empty.
You lose the potential if you don’t capture the content.
Let’s talk about using tech, going old-school or turning to mnemonics.
Nighttime
When you’re on a creative roll it’s not easy to shut off your mind, even when it’s bedtime (and sometimes, especially when it’s bedtime). Often this is when things suddenly click and you make those important connections you couldn’t envision during the day. You don’t want these ideas to get away, plus you want to feed your file. Also, on the purely practical side, you’ll stand a better chance of sleeping if you’ve recorded the inspiration and can thus let go of the thought for the time being. All this will only be possible if you think ahead and prepare for the possible gifts which insomnia—or dreams, as mentioned last issue—can bring. A handy notepaper and pen will do it.
The Rest of the Time
Stellar Idea File candidates are elusive. New additions will rarely occur to you while you stay safely nesting in your creative space, and clearly you need to be physically in the world to people-watch, then make and record observations. Plan ways to capture those inspirations when you are out and away from your creative space. You can use technology…
…or, again, go old-school and bring your writing implements of choice…
…finally, if caught without either tech or paper, use a mnemonic device (also known as an aide-memoire): a technique to help you remember words, lists or concepts.
Here’s an example. One day as I was watching a school soccer game, an idea for a short story occurred to me.
Kid likes playing soccer so much he plans to make it his profession. He slowly realizes he is not good enough for the pros & must revise goals. In the end, he remains on the amateur team, having learned you can love and engage in something without having to be the best at it.
I wanted this short, inspired outline for my Idea File, but I had no tools with which to record it. My phone was in the car being charged, and I had no pad or pen. Worse, I was chatting with family at the time and watching a game, and I knew this would make it tough to hold onto that plot outline in my mind. So I used mnemonics, and made up and memorized a quick three-word rhyme to retain the gist of my idea.
Soccer Pro? No.
Later, despite the distractions of the day, it was easy to remember those three words. They in turn reminded me of my entire brief story treatment, and I was able to save it to my Idea File.
This is only one way of using mnemonics. For more mnemonic techniques, look here.
At this point I’ll leave the Idea File aside and return to it later to put it into action. If you are reading these words because you intend to jump-start your muse, I can’t stress enough how helpful it has been to my own fiction-writing to feed and maintain such a file. Dig deep and gather the self-discipline to start getting them down, night or day, whether you’re using tech, long-hand or mnemonics.
Now, as always, let’s circle back to our endangered word (which is in this case a two-word phrase). It’s easy to grasp, and we just defined this one a few paragraphs ago. Hint: if you don’t remember it, you might need it.
What is an aide-memoire?
Click and hear this one pronounced on the dictionary site, ’cause unless you speak French, it’s a toughie.
Action Plan
Want to sink your teeth into a serial-length story about a haunted hunting lodge and the two out-of-towners who stumble across it? Check out The Lodge at Fear Summit, only on Kindle Vella. The first episodes are free.
Next Up:
#7) Writing What You Like vs. Writing What Sells. See you in two weeks!
Craig