tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post8180434380313555857..comments2023-09-25T02:24:22.087-07:00Comments on Anne R. Allen's Blog: Where Do You Get Your Ideas? There's an App for That! How to Create Your Personal Idea Goldmine.Anne R. Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-8774911382981603412011-09-04T09:51:39.350-07:002011-09-04T09:51:39.350-07:00Susan--I'm like you. I always have at least fi...Susan--I'm like you. I always have at least five ideas for novels fermenting. It's always hard to choose which way to go. But when I get bogged down in a scene or I'm trying to make some character work--that's when the notebooks are a godsend.<br /><br />Jemi--Welcome. Loved Karen's "party" I didn't know the iPod touch has a note feature. Good to know.<br /><br />Jeremy--Whiskey and steak. Add chocolate and you'll have all the food groups. Thanks for coming over.<br /><br />Karen--ditto on the followers. But all of you great folks from Karen's party have more than made up for the loss.<br /><br />Liz--I've got some secret TV watching that I call research, too. But those odd facts do come in handy.<br /><br />Ruth--Many Thanks! I see today you're blogging over at Mark Williams International--one of my favorite blogs. Everybody, do check out her great post on genre-jumping.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-30062110242690887392011-09-04T07:56:12.309-07:002011-09-04T07:56:12.309-07:00An app? Now that would be helpful. I like that.
I...An app? Now that would be helpful. I like that.<br /><br />I also call my reality TV watching "research" too. Seriously. ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-49216335304836064492011-09-04T03:35:40.264-07:002011-09-04T03:35:40.264-07:00followed u over from karen's bbq... brought wh...followed u over from karen's bbq... brought whiskey and steak! enjoy! and great blog--following!Jeremy Bateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00877532315856151843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-42869424564333246142011-09-03T17:25:10.301-07:002011-09-03T17:25:10.301-07:00Hi! I popped over from Karen's bbq party! :)
...Hi! I popped over from Karen's bbq party! :)<br /><br />Great advice. I recently started using the note feature on my iPod touch for tracking ideas I get while I'm working - it's awesome :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-18354098644470049832011-09-03T13:22:57.917-07:002011-09-03T13:22:57.917-07:00I usually have more ideas than I have time for wri...I usually have more ideas than I have time for writing them. I do take notes on odd things, names, food and crazy news.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-53812182337275173122011-09-03T10:56:00.523-07:002011-09-03T10:56:00.523-07:00Carol--thanks for the kind words and thank you, to...Carol--thanks for the kind words and thank you, too, for the NotePad for Mac rec. I'm tempted by the battery lit pen but I write in the dark at night so as not to disturb my DH--he's a light sleeper & I fear that even a pen light might disturb him.<br /><br />Julie--you and me, too! notepads everywhere! Glad the post opened new avenues for you--that was my intention in writing it. Sometimes the best ideas hide in plain sight. It's up to us to "see" them.Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-37637034107507009302011-09-02T13:55:10.133-07:002011-09-02T13:55:10.133-07:00I absolutely love this! I always have a notepad n...I absolutely love this! I always have a notepad nearby because ideas pop out at me from the strangest places. But this post opened up all sorts of other avenues. Thanks so much.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-20784881871019181122011-09-01T21:25:14.494-07:002011-09-01T21:25:14.494-07:00Enjoyed this post immensely! You caught me with th...Enjoyed this post immensely! You caught me with the "where do you get your ideas?" question because I'm so tired of answering it. Where does any idea come from? I'm always tempted to say, "It's not like I go looking for them. They just accumulate on the edge of my bathroom counter along with the dusting of talcum powder, and wait for me to scoop them off and plaster them onto a page."<br /><br />An aside... NotePad for Mac is an excellent equivalent to Evernote for the PC. I use it, plus I have a battery-lit pen and a notepad on my bedside table, another notepad on the kitchen counter, a notebook in my purse and one in my laptop's case. I'm a notebook hoarder and thought every writer was. :)Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-33959066569263652922011-09-01T13:59:38.760-07:002011-09-01T13:59:38.760-07:00Hi all! Just dropping in. I so much appreciate Rut...Hi all! Just dropping in. I so much appreciate Ruth taking over one week a month. <br /><br />I wish I could say I've been off reading my heart out and filling notebooks with fashion tips and bass fishing terms. But mostly I'm slogging through a mountainous to-do list. And getting ready for the CC Writers' Conference, of course. <br /><br />Plus--it looks as if I'll have the galleys for Food of Love soon! Stay tuned...<br /><br />Thanks everybody, for your great comments!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-31216615481896598222011-09-01T10:44:21.073-07:002011-09-01T10:44:21.073-07:00Meghan--My point is that your everyday reading — i...Meghan--My point is that your everyday reading — in your case fiction — can be a significant source of ideas. <br /><br />Kelley -- thank you, hope it helps.<br /><br />Ann -- thanks, I hoped the post would open people's minds to the creative riches that are so easily accessible.Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-54239669777744778362011-09-01T10:31:16.561-07:002011-09-01T10:31:16.561-07:00I'm bookmarking this post, Anne. It's a go...I'm bookmarking this post, Anne. It's a goldmine!<br /><a href="http://anncarbinebest.com/" rel="nofollow"><i>Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets</i></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-10581202922531036932011-09-01T06:45:57.131-07:002011-09-01T06:45:57.131-07:00Really great post/advice! TY much:)Really great post/advice! TY much:)Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03237422917705115205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-6364657467066936142011-08-31T10:07:31.173-07:002011-08-31T10:07:31.173-07:00Ruth and Anne - Thanks for this post. I love the p...Ruth and Anne - Thanks for this post. I love the point about improving vocabularies. It's so true that reading a fashion magazine can help us to describe clothes better, etc. That said, I just don't have the time. I hardly have enough time to read my friends' books let alone some really good fiction, and that's my priority right now. It's what I think will improve my writing the most. I don't think reading fashion magazines is going to help my writing, although I'm sure if I were scouting for plot ideas, gobbling up news stories would be invaluable.Meghan Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12773598501857799104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-47918814720268561472011-08-31T07:07:56.529-07:002011-08-31T07:07:56.529-07:00SBJones -- white board a good idea but what happen...SBJones -- white board a good idea but what happens when you run out of space?<br /><br />Spook -- lol...at least you don't tattoo those ideas on your skin. Or do you?Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-51812178633157533612011-08-30T12:29:55.847-07:002011-08-30T12:29:55.847-07:00I scribble random bits of plot or idea awesomeness...I scribble random bits of plot or idea awesomeness on everything and anything. Notebook, napkin, post-it note, forearm - you name it, I'll scribble on it! xDCharley Robsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09542608515324640174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-62501570191596932872011-08-30T09:02:37.866-07:002011-08-30T09:02:37.866-07:00I have a white board that has a list of things I e...I have a white board that has a list of things I either saw, read, or heard about that might work well at some point in my writing.SBJoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10457239074744509487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-41103174225987972402011-08-30T05:56:47.657-07:002011-08-30T05:56:47.657-07:00Pamela--"Cars, women, food, and toys" wh...Pamela--"Cars, women, food, and toys" what a great summing up! Almost sounds like A Woman's Guide to The Male Mind ;-)<br /><br />Cathryn--that's a toughie. I'll let the Supreme Court decide whether or nor you get a free pass. lol Seriously, I'm suggesting everyone follow his or her own interests. Tabloid-reading is hardly required. I don't read them myself.<br /><br />Mary Ann--Yes. Research, indeed. All grist for the mill. & glad there's another Evernote fan. By the way, Scrivener has a wonderful research function. You can put all your research--video, blogs, articles, images etc--into your book project so your research is always immediately at hand & easy to refer to.<br /><br />Phyllis--We're all waiting for LB to chime in! A real pro.<br /><br />Anonymous--Thank you! Danke! (please excuse my limited German)Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-55176379352350063592011-08-30T00:00:14.368-07:002011-08-30T00:00:14.368-07:00Very interesting points. Thanks!
My blog:...Very interesting points. Thanks! <br /> <br />My blog: <br />dsl vergleichen und <a href="http://www.dslvergleichdsl.com" rel="nofollow">dsl vergleich anbieter</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-91179535040092055702011-08-29T23:14:40.868-07:002011-08-29T23:14:40.868-07:00I can hardly wait for the Lawrence Block interview...I can hardly wait for the Lawrence Block interview. I'm such a fan.<br /><br />P.S. See my Aug. 29 Blog on why the Titanic struck the iceberg.Phyllis Humphreyhttp://www.phyllishumphrey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-29218619931850237742011-08-29T19:32:29.236-07:002011-08-29T19:32:29.236-07:00Oh, how I love Evernote! I use it all the time.
...Oh, how I love Evernote! I use it all the time. <br /><br />I also read fashion magazines even though I am the least fashionable person on the planet. And as I tell my husband repeatedly, my viewing of all those Real Housewives shows? Research. Honest.Mary Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12139150094068714313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-45707228159639063692011-08-29T11:33:38.111-07:002011-08-29T11:33:38.111-07:00Ruth - Well if I state that I'm just a wanna b...Ruth - Well if I state that I'm just a wanna be writer at the moment who sports a full time job with two kids and a hubby to look after, do I get a repreave from being unprofessional? *grin*<br /><br />I do read tabloid covers occasionally, but I think the last time I really read one was waaaay back in high school when I worked in the grocery store.Cathryn Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14816869021658935999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-57625291554246486932011-08-29T09:49:43.032-07:002011-08-29T09:49:43.032-07:00I also try to learn new vocabulary by watching the...I also try to learn new vocabulary by watching the shows on MTV (don't laugh) & mens' shows like Top Gear BBC. <br />I write romance & I'm the only woman in a house full of men, so I'm interested in what makes men tick, how they think, the conversations they have with each other, how they talk. <br />Being men, it's mostly cars, women, food, and toys. <br />And MTV gives me insight into younger attitudes & perspectives. <br />Thanks for this great post! I need to keep notes now!Pamela Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06350308693959960754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-91688017038889545212011-08-29T09:04:11.720-07:002011-08-29T09:04:11.720-07:00Cathryn--Haven't read a tabloid cover in years...Cathryn--Haven't read a tabloid cover in years? That's just downright unprofessional...lol<br /><br />Ranae--Yes, me too. I'll read the label on an aspirin bottle if that's all I have. I've been like that for as long as I can remember & glad to know I'm not alone.<br /><br />Pat--I buy Moleskine notebooks & when one is filled up, I just start another. I number them &, yes, they are a mishmash but very interesting to flip through years later. Half the stuff I have no idea about; the other half can be quite interesting & illuminating.<br /><br />Himbokal--It's amazing, isn't it, how something can trigger a completely unrelated idea? I love the way you got from the NK economy to your WiP. A good example of why anything and everything can turn out to be the "missing link." <br /><br />Andrea--I have notebooks everywhere--in the kitchen, on my night table, dining room, etc. etc. Plus I never leave home without pen & paper. I even wake up at night & write in the dark so as not to disturb DH. Usually, I can read my brainstorms the next day, too. Sometimes they're really great & usable. Other times, straight into the trash. Can't win em all.Ruth Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15246050315747917109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-57732828916765219102011-08-29T08:49:41.914-07:002011-08-29T08:49:41.914-07:00I have a huge file of newspaper clippings, little ...I have a huge file of newspaper clippings, little notebooks, index cards (my personal fav for tracking my ideas/thoughts/characters/conversations. I also frequently use my phones notes app to jot down paragraphs, dialogue, intriguing ideas. Anything and everything, I tend to record it in one way or another (and now I can add Evernote to the list too! Thanks!)Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08342109839956458589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-69148704134277541792011-08-29T08:32:18.560-07:002011-08-29T08:32:18.560-07:00Great (and relieving) post. I spend way too much ...Great (and relieving) post. I spend way too much time roving the internet which always made me feel guilty when I looked over at my book. No more.<br /><br />I need to be more organized about notes as well. I'll probably end up downloading Evernotes.<br /><br />As for places to get ideas, my WIP actually partially stemmed from a story I heard on a podcast called Planet Money about the North Korean economy. My book doesn't have anything to do with economics but it sparked the idea.Himbokalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08651734927656488272noreply@blogger.com