Sunday, September 04, 2016

#DigLitSunday -- My Digital Writer's Notebook



Because my phone is with me most all the time, it is my most reliable writer's notebook. I use the notes and voice memo to capture fleeting ideas, and my photos constitute hundreds of seed ideas.

Just this morning, I took advantage of the cool, crisp (temporary) fall-like weather to take a quick bike ride before we hit the farmers' markets for tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, apples, and French pastries. The very tip-top leaves in the trees look like they are feeling the shift of the seasons. I started getting lines of a poem, and pulled over to record a few words before I lost them. I continued to compose in my head as I rode, and I pulled over one more time before I headed up the long hill towards home and recorded the key words I'd come up with. As soon as I got home, I sat down to my paper/pencil writer's notebook, and captured the first draft of my poem. I've tinkered with it several more times throughout the day, and I think it will be ready for Poetry Friday next week!

Thank goodness for my digital writer's notebook!


Margaret gathers the #DigLitSunday posts at Reflections on the Teche.



8 comments:

  1. Loved reading about your process why riding a bike! So now I want more how to info - essentially which app do you use?

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    1. Just the built-ins -- voice memo and notes and photos! Nuttin' fancy here!!

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  2. Anonymous8:12 AM

    I wondered how you collected thoughts, ideas. I've tried to carry a little notebook with me, but find that I now have at least 5 and between 4 and 5 of them are "lost" at any one time.

    Sometimes I wish that I had a combination voice recorder and camera (without the phone number!) for just such times.

    And about the "continuing to compose" ... I find that so delightful. Do you?

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    1. YES! I had to be careful to pay enough attention to the bike path and all the runners to stay safe, but the whole time I was riding, I was writing...in my head (and repeating my ideas over and over so I wouldn't forget them until I got to a spot to stop and record them!)

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  3. I do this all the time when I am out walking with my dog. I take my phone so I can take a picture of something that inspires me or listen to a friend's message or compose a few lines. When I use the notes app with the microphone, it's often hilarious what my phone thinks I said. I may do a poem like this one day.

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  4. Anonymous4:46 PM

    Thank you for giving us a peek into how your wonderful poetry begins, Mary Lee. I rely on my phone for taking photos while I'm out walking, also. Sometimes I'll record a video so I can capture sound, too. Looking forward to reading your poem on Friday!

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  5. Love this peek into your process! There are many times where I think of a writing idea, or a specific line, and by the time I find paper, it's gone. I'm going to remember from now on that my phone is usually close by!
    Thanks! And can't wait to read Friday's poem!

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  6. Mary Lee, thanks for inspiring me to use my voice memo on my phone. I do use my notes occasionally. I look forward to your finished poem.

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