Practical Authorkeeping 101: Don't Wait

[lagilman]

Had a very strange dream last night; vivid, weirdly funny, and almost coherent, and enough to wake me up at 2:30 in the morning. Or maybe that was Boomer landing on my neck in an effort to cuddle. Went back to sleep, and had another dream that seemed to tie in. So I accepted the inevitable and got up, turned on the computer (typos being easier to decipher than my sleep-ridden handwriting) and got some of the details down. I had the actual opening lines to the story down as well, but that fled as coherence seeped in, unfortunately.

And that's what you've got to do. You can't wait and think "I'll remember in the morning." Because you so rarely do, and losing a dream-influenced idea is a damned insult to the muses. Ya don't want to do that.

But god, I wish I had that hour of sleep back.



And more snow predicted. Only 2-3" but the thought is still enough to make me.. welll, squeee with happiness. I know, I know. I'm sick.

Comments

[terri-osborne.livejournal.com]

I agree with you whole-heartedly on the "do it now before you forget it" part.

However, after being stuck in that crap up in Boston, I also whole-heartedly agree with my mother's "I hate snow" mentality. When they start measuring the snowfall in feet instead of inches, I start wondering where the exits are. :)

[lagilman]

Whereas, once they start measuring in feet I start to relax, figure I'm not going anywhere, and make like a hobbit (meal, pipe, book, glass, after-meal munchies).

You have been sent a gift!

[ferragus.livejournal.com]

This coupon entitles you to one guilt free nap w/felines.

The time and place are entirely of your chosing, if the folks your with have a problem with that, they can talk to Boomer.

Enjoy!

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

This is why Poe referred to writing as the Midnight Disease; what he failed to include that it was also the 2 am, 3 am , and 4 am--why bother going back to sleep now--disease.
-=Jeff=-

[lagilman]

Poe had better drugs than I do. Sadly.

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

Hmmm a lot of classic literature was written under drug induced states... Dear Mr. Robin L. Stevenson, what has been the secret behind your success? PS Loved that Mr. Hyde character.

Dear Fan, Cocaine; lots.

I think we'll keep you just the way you are.
-=Jeff=-

[windrose.livejournal.com]

losing a dream-influenced idea is a damned insult to the muses. Ya don't want to do that.

I keep a notebook and pencil on my bedside table for that very reason. I can't even list the number of times I've had flashes of inspiration just as I was nodding off, or waked up from a dream and thought, "Wow, that was really cool." Deciphering my handwriting the next morning can be a challenge, but I'm always glad I have the notes.

hehehe

[(Anonymous)]

Deciphering my handwriting the next morning can be a challenge, but I'm always glad I have the notes

Some of the greatest scientific mysteries have been solved like that! One of 'em was the guy who discovered how the heart slows down. He had a dream that explained the whole thing - woke up, wrote it down - then went back to sleep. Got up in the morning and couldn't make out any of his own writing! That night - grumbling - went back to sleep and had the same dream again. The muses were kind. Got up and performed the experiment right away. Said he'd never have imagined the idea would fly during the light of day - but he ended up discovering how hormones affect Heart Rate, a major major discovery.

(I know, my *nerd* tattoo is showing - lol)