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I have a vivid imagination. Amazing, stupendous ideas come to me at the strangest times. I can spot the most mundane object and weave a fascinating story in my mind.
Hours later, I will sit down at my desk to write it down and… nothing. I can’t remember a thing. I don’t even have a nugget of the original idea.
I have the same talent with to-dos, shopping needs, and honey-do lists.
Fortunately, I found a great crutch to help me remember. I carry a pocket-sized recorder that allows me to instantly store any idea, suggestion, or dream at the mere touch of a button. When I get to my desk, I can play the recording and immediately take myself back to the original thought. It’s saved me from so many lost items over the years.
Until I couldn’t remember where I had left it.
I sat down at my desk, opened the drawer to get my recorder, and spied the empty spot. Perplexed, I went to the laundry hamper and checked pockets of pants and shirts. I searched the car. At one point, I was checking the refrigerator, silverware drawer, and trashcan. Don’t laugh. You’ve done it too.
When an object is not much bigger than a pack of mints, it’s easy to misplace. When it’s black, it’s hard to spot.
Desperate, I re-started a search. I checked every drawer in the house. I went through closets and used a flashlight under furniture. I even went back to the refrigerator, silverware drawer, and trashcan. Seriously. Stop laughing.
The searching went on for nearly two weeks. Finally, under strong advice from the Ever Patient Partner In Life (who had grown tired of my requests to search just one more time), I ordered a new recorder. A couple of days later, it arrived in the mail. I placed it on my desk, walked over to the supply cabinet in my office to retrieve a pair of scissors, and … you know this is coming … found my recorder.
Oh, I should mention this happened a few weeks ago. At the time, I laughed and said it would make a great story. I forgot to write it down then. It came to me while we were walking the dogs. I recorded it then.
Update On My Next Novel
Revisions are moving rapidly, a book cover is being designed, the title will be announced in Wednesday’s newsletter, and even the marketing blurb is nearly complete (and will also be shared in this week’s newsletter). It’s been a very productive week and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Unfortunately, that means no Books Read again this week. At least not the fun fiction I share with you, though I did devour a couple of non-fiction books for author stuff.
I did start reading a new novel this weekend from one of my favorite authors. Will share that next week.
Interesting Link
The Internet Is Rotting—As someone who has designed and operated websites for nearly two decades, one of my nightmares is maintaining links and old domains. I’m not alone, as this article shows. What I hadn’t really thought of are the difficulties this is creating when even Supreme Court Justices include links in their opinions, a huge problem when the owner of the website can change the document. Don’t think that’s an issue? A study showed that half—half—of the links embedded in court opinions since 1996 no longer work. That makes for even murkier law than normal.
Gratuitous Dog Picture
With deadlines looming, I need to keep myself focused and working at my desk. Fortunately, I am surrounded by encouraging creatures who, well, make it difficult to leave my chair. On the flip side, they make it difficult to get back to my chair as well. Roscoe and Frankie have the current duty.
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Monthly Reader Survey
Each month, I ask my readers a question or two. Sometimes, my questions are random fun things that have nothing to do with books. Other queries are about reading and writing. Join in the fun and answer this month's survey. The results (and a new survey) will be shared later in the month.
Monthly Reader Survey
Each month, I ask my readers a question or two. Sometimes, my questions are random fun things that have nothing to do with books. Other queries are about reading and writing. Join in the fun and answer this month's survey. The results (and a new survey) will be shared later in the month.
Hu-Dad it’s TOO early to be laughing like this!!! First the recorder story which I know well-I lose things and then order a new one and lo and behold-there it is! It happened to me with a little device to download the pictures from my camera-Yep-couldn’t find it-and then when the new one came-there it was!
I also love seeing Frankie Suave and Roscoe P by your chair-it’s a story at our house all the time!!
I think Ruby is awake now from me laughing at this story. I have been searching for a few days for my pencil sharpener, I know it is minor, but I need it for my crossword puzzles!! Nice to know we are all in the same boat and have understanding partners and pups.
Hubby is the one who is always losing things, and I am the finder. He can search all day, I walk in and find it in seconds flats! Although I’ve pulled a few doozies on losing stuff that I never find again.
So what do you call the duty the dogs are performing for you? Looks like you are going nowhere!!
Can’t you just record a note on your phone? Why do you need a separate recorder?
Great question.
I’ve found the phone is fine for simple recording. A little cumbersome to start because I have to unlock it first, but it works fine.
I carry a recorder though because I often record much longer thoughts that I later want to transcribe. Transcription software certainly works with the phone, but I find the error rate to be much lower with the recorder’s microphone.
The other advantage of the recorder is the simple start/stop from a single button push. I can record a thought, pause, record another thought, pause, and so on with ease. And then, of course, transcribe the file into my notes.
Final reason is probably just sheer habit.