Snow fall on driveway from Storm Nemo, 2/9/2013
During the last big storm we got about 28 inches of snow in 24 hours. I spent a lot of time snow blowing and shoveling – twice during the storm, to keep it from building up too high on the driveway – yeah, that didn’t work so well as you can see by that picture – and about three times after the storm. Needless to say, I was tired and sore!
After peeling off layers of cold, wet clothes and changing into my dry flannel PJs, I sat down in front of the TV to relax. In our media room the sun comes in around noon and spends a few hours shining its warm rays on the sofa. It’s perfect for napping. I don’t nap often … usually can’t stay still long enough … but on that day I was beat!
Image courtesy of sattva / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
My feet up, blanket over me, I tried to read. My eyelids grew tired and lazy. I didn’t fight it. I was half way between wakefulness and sleep when I saw someone. She spoke to me in pictures and showed me a great idea for a story! She told me …
Well, I don’t know what she told me … that’s the problem! I was exhausted and I remember saying to myself,
This is a great idea, I should write this down.
Instead of getting up and writing furiously until I had the idea safely tucked in my notebook or laptop I fell asleep. About 20 minutes later, my eyes blinked open and my mind went to the idea. What was it? The feeling that I had a great idea came to me, but the idea itself was like a dream. Maybe it was a dream! One of those just out of reach, behind the mist of my mind. I saw blurry images that I could not put into words, I heard words that I could not understand.
Image courtesy of Evgeni Dinev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
For days I walked around trying to recapture it. I grasped at air. I thought I had it, but when I opened my hands to see what was there, they were empty. It was like having a word on the tip of my tongue and not being able to speak it.
I hoped she would come back to me – give me another chance. But she probably moved on to a writer who listened, who paid attention, who got up and put pen to paper.
Days later I’ve had to accept the idea is gone. Do they make idea-catchers like they make for dreams?
Image courtesy of Marcus / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Writing Pieces of Me 
Argh! This happens to me, too! You’d think I’d learn, but noooo….I’m always convinced I’ll remember This Time.
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I know. But this time, it was REALLY good and I should have gotten up! Let’s hope I remember this lesson next time 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Denise!!
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Oh, man! Happens all the time! So frustrating. Every time I tell myself that I WILL immediately write down all future ideas. But I don’t. Sheesh.
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At least I know I’m not alone 🙂 Thanks Katie!
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Isn’t that frustrating? I always say I’ll keep a pen and notepad by my bed, but I never do, and I’m always too tired to get up and write something down. I hope it comes to you! Either way, you’ve taught us all a valuable lesson. 🙂
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Usually, I repeat it over and over again in my head until I’ve got it and the next day I write it down. But this was just a glimpse. Here’s hoping I find that state of mind again soon and if I do, I’m going to jump up so quickly! I say this now … we’ll see… 🙂 Thanks for commenting Carrie!
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That happens to me too, but I am either so woozy that I imagine I wrote it down or I get distracted by wondering how a camel got in the backyard. It was just a dream, but I was concerned at the time. And it is frustrating, to know that you glimpsed something amazing but it will never come again. But I will always remember the camel. /sigh
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Tracy, that made me laugh! So how did the camel end up in the backyard?? Funny how dreams can feel SO real that they actually become memories. I love when that happens! Unless it’s a bad dream of course, then I just want to shake that feeling so bad. Thanks for sharing your camel story, now I’ve got that image in my head 🙂
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I hate that feeling! And why is it that characters and the Muse decide to get chatty when we’re in the shower or driving or doing something else where we can’t write notes?
I try to console myself with the thought that if I’m meant to write the story, the idea will come back. But some characters aren’t willing to give us a second chance. 😦
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You just named my 2 most common places. That’s why I’ve gotten into the habit of repeating it and seeing it over and over in my mind. It’s a little scary, but sometimes I’m not sure how the heck I get to work! I ‘wake up’ from a scene and I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m here already? How’d that happen?’ Yikes!
Your comment made me feel better. Maybe I’m just not meant to write that one. I can accept that. Thanks JM!! 🙂
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I absolutely adored this post Arlene! Not that I want to capitalize on your stress but it’s nice to know that it’s happened to someone else. Last week I was up until four in the morning with Inion doing cleaning on “The P-7” as well as blueprinting for book II. By the time I went to bed, I was exhausted. I got an idea and wanted to get up and write it down. But my body wouldn’t let me. What a mistake. I told my mother and she said. It’s because your body was tired but your mind had just been working so your creative juices were flowing. If it came to you once, it will come to you again. You too sweety! Although I know that offers little comfort. On a happier note, Inion and I have nominated you for “The Reality Blog” award. It’s because of posts like this that we feel you deserve it. Head on over to our blog for details and congrats my friend.
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Thanks Mathair, I’ve accepted that idea may be gone but there are many more to come! And on a happier note, as you say, thank you SO much for the nomination! That makes my day and makes up for that idea getting away. I really appreciate it!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Terrific post and it seems to apply to many of us.
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So true Sheri! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Oh, this happens to me all too often. I have finally learned to bring around a notebook wherever I go, but we can’t jot down ideas every time we get them, like, say, when we’re driving or chasing a ball down a hill.
I guess I feel that if the idea is going to turn into anything more than an idea, it will come back and better than before. Maybe even so much better, we never recognize it as that fleeting idea we missed the first time. 🙂
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What a great thought! I hope you are right that it comes back again … I’d like to be ready next time to write it down 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and for following!!!
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