Five Tips for Saving Your Best Writing Ideas

Doesn’t it seem like the best writing ideas come at the most inconvenient times?

It happens when you’re driving, in the shower, or eating dinner at a restaurant. Unfortunately, you’re not sitting in front of your computer and even if you were, you don’t always have time to stop what you’re doing to make notes about your latest writing idea.

But nobody wants to lose a truly great writing idea either - so how do we get save them before we forget them?

If your idea lightbulb likes to shine while your hands are tied, or when you’re away from your usual writing tools, then I have some tips for you to help you make sure you don’t lose your most creative writing ideas.

Five Tips That Will Prevent You from Losing Your Best Writing Ideas

1. Mini Notebooks. They’re cheap and small enough to stash anywhere: on your nightstand, in your purse, car, or at work. Keep a pen or pencil with each one. Just make sure you don’t jot anything down while driving. It only takes a couple of minutes to pull over, jot down your notes, and be back on your way.
2. Voice Recorder. Keeping a voice recorder on you at all times is another great way to make sure that no matter where you are (or what you’re doing), you have a way to record your writing ideas. Perfect for the car, a recorder is an ideal way to get a little writing done, or capture your most brilliant thoughts. Writers have used mini-cassette recorders  for years, but now digital recorders are plentiful and affordable. Plus, many cell phones and mp3 players now come with voice recording capabilities. Speaking of cell phones…
3. Voicemail. If you’re stuck somewhere without a notebook, then just give yourself a call. As long as you have access to a phone, you can leave yourself a voicemail and make sure that your best writing ideas don’t disappear among the millions of thoughts you’re having during the day. Plus, you can call your mobile phone, home phone, or work phone!
4. Bulletin Boards, Baskets, and Boxes. If you’re one of those people who jots down notes on scrap paper and napkins, this is the perfect way to collect your thoughts. By setting aside a bulletin board, basket, box, or other container, you will have a place to deposit your scraps and scribbles. This will help you stay organized and you’ll always know where to look when you’re trying to dig up one of your latest greatest writing ideas.
5. Just a Pen. As long as we’re talking about napkins and notes, keep in mind that most of the time a pen is all you really need. There are materials to write on just about everywhere and in a pinch, even a square of toilet paper will do. If you have your trusty pen on your person, you probably won’t have to look too long or far for something to write on. You might want to go with a Sharpie though; it will open up a whole new world of writing surfaces, like thick cardboard boxes, but hey — stay away from bathroom walls!

Most writers have lost dozens if not hundreds of writing ideas just because they had a stroke of genius at a most inopportune time. But that doesn’t have to happen. As long as you’re prepared at all times, your writing ideas will stay safe and sound!

Got any tips to add for keeping track of your writing ideas? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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