Friday, October 28, 2005
The power of the bulge in my back pocket (or lack thereof if I fold it lengthwise)
Anne Lamott believes in lists and in taking notes, and she believes in using index cards to do both. She stores pens and index cards all over her house so that if she ever needs one, it will be available. She even carries one with her when she takes her dog for a walk. If she has an idea or sees anything worth remembering, she can whip out her trusty index card and record a few words that will remind her of that moment. She explains that one of the worst feelings she can think of is to forget that moment.
Some writers have crisp, accurate memories. They insist that if you do not remember something, it must not have been worthy of being written about. The rest of us know that our memories of even novel worthy material can disappear. They remember your outfit at the Christmas party in ‘99, we struggle to remember the events of last night. (And this is not a result of any form of substance abuse.) Even when thoughts seem clear and indelible, Lamott encourages us to write them down. Our memories are not perfect, so we must ‘back them up.’
Lamott reminds us that taking notes is not cheating. Taking notes should feel natural. It provides a fifty fifty chance of remembering that moment. That moment that might develop into that short essay, which may evolve into that bestseller. You never know what these index cards might develop into.
Taking an index card along with me, (folded lengthwise of course, to reduce the bulge) is a good idea. An autumn wind, part of a passing couples conversation, or a conversation with an old friend often provoke creative ideas, but I forget them quickly. Every time I get caught in the rain, an idea for a poem comes to mind. This same idea has recurred for at least the last three years. I have never thought of that idea when I have had time to work on it. Instead, I dismiss the thought of this possible masterpiece and think of it again the next time I feel the rain drops fall on my face. If only I had taken notes, I may have published a quality poem by now…