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| Hello, handsome. |
I used to be one of those people who could sit back and enjoy a movie or a book without thinking too much. I liked to veg. Now, I'm analyzing. "Why is that potted plant significant? What dual purpose does this dialogue serve? Where is she going with that slice of watermelon?" And so forth.
Another unexpected side-effect is the way I deal with pain, sickness, uncomfortable situations, etc. If I'm upset, I take a moment to go through a mental checklist: How do I feel physically? What do I look like when I'm crying? What are a few words that could describe my thoughts?
Because, you know, this is all good stuff to remember for when one of my characters is feeling the same way.
I hit a new low last night, though. I've had a stomach bug (*GINORMOUS NOTE TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS: THIS IS NOT A PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT. OKAY?) for about two weeks now. It's been relatively tame, as far as stomach bugs go, but it thinks it's funny to randomly pick days where we can focus on puke. And focus I must.
Now, I'm no stranger to barfing. Four kids+morning sickness=lots of quality time with my porcelain friend. But last night, as I was "in position", all I could think was, "Take notes." I have hurling in my story, and as much as I've done it in the past, unless it's fresh on your mind, it's hard to write down.
I'll spare you the details. Let's just say, that scene in my book is about to get a lot more descriptive. Because I remember! Ohhh, do I.
My friend Julie has a hilarious post about the same thing here.
So, Julie and I want to know...we're not crazy, right? When is the most random moment that you've taken notes for the good of your writing?
5 comments:
I remember when my brother was taking a class at ISU and he was always caring around this little notebook to write things down in at any given moment. I used to laugh at him for just stopping at random and writing things down. Now when I look back I totally get what he was doing and it is not so funny. I wish I could be that disciplined to write things down just so I can remember them for later.
My kids are always doing funny things and I wish I would have written them down but I didn't and now I have forgot them.
Keep up the good work. I love reading your stuff.
And, Yes, it is an anteater.
Jeigh, this is awesome (and flattering!). It's so good to know I'm not alone! You and your throw pillows absolutely crack me up. And I've taken barf notes too! Like, the difference between dehydration-barf and food-poisoning-barf. It's all in the details, you know. :)
I think that "innocence" is the ability to look at the world and not question things such as "what is the significance of that potted plant?" At some point, we all lose that and transform.
Ah, I think it's the opposite. Innocence is still wondering.
Kids seem to ask "why" a heckuva lot more than adults. We credit them with being "more creative," but really, I think what we're seeing is them absorbing.
Growing up and getting boring has a lot to do with not asking why, and acting like our brains are too full for any more.
Childhood is relishing in the moment, and translating what you see in front of you into the carnival inside your mind. At least, mine was.
hahaha! just read your comment on Roni Loren's blog... I laughed when I saw it and then laughed harder when I saw that you wrote it :) thanks for making my morning.
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