Friday, February 27, 2009

Let It Be a Lesson

Two nights ago I awoke about 1 a.m. And as a mom who's often up a few times a night to check kids or visit the loo (a bladder is never the same, eh?) it was no big deal... until I couldn't get back to sleep.

My WIP wouldn't let me be, wouldn't stop poking and prodding me with important thoughts to get down. Thankfully, I actually had a notebook on my nightstand, ready to go.


I wrote some furious notes in the dark (so as not to disturb hubby, of course). And then a memory of someone's comment from this post came back to me, and I worried, "What if my pen is out of ink? What if there's nothing there tomorrow morning?" I had to check, just to be sure.



When I turned on the light, I saw this:



It seems I can't turn the page when I'm half-asleep. Instead, I stack notes on top of notes. It took me thirty minutes to decipher the scribbles.

Let it be a lesson: Turn on the light! Or, at the very least, write one word per page.

27 comments:

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

I can translate that for you as I have written the same stuff in the middle of the night! LOL!

Try a voice activated tape recorder and your hubby will think you're talking in your sleep! LOL! At least you'll be able to understand your notes to yourself!

Angie Ledbetter said...

At least you got it down! Treat yourself to a little book light or a lighted pen. :)

Terri Tiffany said...

LOl I have notebooks that look like that from middle of the night thoughts but also from being wide awake!
The last time I woke with thoughts I made myself get up and go to the office and write it down. I do have a tape player, but bet I wouldn't find the button asleep.
Were the notes good?

Joshua said...

dont drink and write!

Joanne said...

At least you got the words down and could decipher them. There's nothing worse than remembering a day or two later that you had a good idea, but can't remember what it is!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

OMG! That is hilarious!

My post today is about my wip talking to me in bed. Something's in the air, I suppose...

Travis Erwin said...

The sad thing for me is that you writing in the dark and easier to red than mine by the light of day.

The Hat Chick said...

Thanks for stopping by. I can't wait to read some of your fiction writing. I am in awe of people with such vivid imaginations and the talent to put those thoughts on paper.

In the words of Ahnold, "Ah'll be bahck!"

Anonymous said...

Okay, Janna, I have read many different writings from many different types of penmanships and I can't make out a thing...lol. Great advice though.

Anonymous said...

I'm good at remembering my dreams, at least those that I have early in the morning. Those I write up on a Word file or my notebook. Then again, I like to mull things over, allow them to take shape in my mind before I set pen to paper.

Anonymous said...

BTW, its me, Rafael. Just using my wordpress ID, since it links back to my writing blog.

Jewel Allen said...

Your page looks like one of those Twilight double-vision pics. Maybe you had a ghost writer.

*evil laugh*

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

LOL!
Two suggestions.
1. As already suggested, get a little flashlight.
2. Take your notebook to the loo. You can shut the door and turn on the light. But good luck getting back to bed in the dark, after wrecking your night vision!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Donna - Ooh! I have a little hand held recorder somewhere. Now where is that little booger?

Angie - My dad gave me a teeny LED flashlight for Christmas. It's perfect! I'll keep it in the basket on my nightstand. Thanks for the idea!

Terri - Oy, I'd probably have the same trouble. :) And once I figured 'em out, they WERE good!

Josh - LOL! Come to think of it... I DID have two cups of chai before turning in. ;)

Joanne - So true! THAT happens to me more often than not. Or, it'll seem brilliant in my sleepiness, but come morning I think, What was so awesome about that?

Janna Leadbetter said...

Melanie - Sweet! I love that I'm not the only one missing sleep. ;)

Travis - ROFL! Poor guy.

Hat Chick - Hi! Thanks for coming by. And come back any time. Wear your hat!

Ang - That's too funny! I think there's still a word or two I'm clueless about, but the ideas were whole. :)

Rafael - Thanks for letting me know it's you. I was wonderin' about a new lurker. ;) Good point about letting things stew a bit!

Jewel - *giggles wildly*

Capri K - No kidding! I am NOT graceful in the dark. Okay, who am I kidding? I'm not graceful at all...

Janna Leadbetter said...

Ugh. Did I just giggle wildy? Stoopid adverb.

Still, you get the idea.

JLC said...

*Chuckles* Wow, both you and Mel had story ideas while in bed. *Jumps back into bed and waits for inspiration.*

Melissa Amateis said...

I LOVE it, Janna! I've done this before, written notes in the middle of the night, and they turn out much like this.

I like Angie's suggestion of a lighted pen. Great idea!

Anonymous said...

LOL! That is too funny!!

-FringeGirl

Jessica Nelson said...

EEK! That is SO hilarious!!!!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Turk - Let me know how that works for ya. LOL!

Melissa - I agree! A lighted pen is brilliant!

FringeGirl - :P

Janna Leadbetter said...

Jessica - I can laugh about it now - it wasn't so funny at 2 in the morning, though!

Kelly said...

Anything I could come up with in the middle of the night would sound crazy in the daylight! Awake or not, I simply don't process : )

Janet said...

Or keep a miniflashlight with your notebook. Or one of those itty bitty reading lights. Or go to the kitchen...

My problem is I haven't developed the reflex of writing things down. *sigh*

Janna Leadbetter said...

Kelly - That surprises me about you! :)

Janet - Shame.on.you.

Anonymous said...

Visiting from FringeGirl's site today. When this happens, I've found it best just to get up and head to the computer or at least the couch (with pen & notebook in hand). If I try to recreate it in the morning, it's never as good as what the original thought was.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Hi, Jenn! Thanks for coming by. :) And that's definitely good advice.