In your PJ’s by Karen Fainges

Destiny Sets - read the first chapter free online

Reading Christine’s post started me thinking. One of the best things I ever did for my writing was get a PDA or personal digital assissant. Most people call them smart phones now, they are like a mini computer you hold in your hand. It is the old “keep a notebook beside the bed” hint that writiers seem to give out in interviews all the time.

Having a PDA meant I always had a notepad to scribble quick notes to myself, and if my hands were covered in soil (which they never are, I kill plastic plants),  I could leave myself a voice message rather than having to type. My PDA goes everywhere with me, and I can jot down quick prompts to myself all day, so when I am finally in front of the keyboard, I can get them down. Even at night I might roll over and scribble down a quick note about a dream. It is strange how many thoughts dump into your brain at the end of the day.

It doesn’t always work.  I was looking at a prompt the other day, scratching my head and going “what was I thinking”. Even that seems to help though to get the creative juices flowing. It is strange how it works, but it does work for me. And the weirdest thing, having voice seems to work even more than written notes. I can add the emotion I was feeling at the time, maybe hum a quick piece of music that gave me ideas, even take a quick photo of something that made sense at the time.

Electronic doohickeys aren’t for everyone – still you can find most of these features on your mobile phone now, even the cheap ones. And if you can’t work it, give it to a 6 year old to teach you how. They are whizzes and have no fear, thay will just hit buttons until they figure it out. There is a lesson to be learnt there somewhere. Carpe diem or maybe, seize the buttons.