On dealing with "Inconvenient Inspiration"

Have you ever noticed that insights seem to come at the most inconvenient times—at least when it comes to writing?

Just this morning, while getting ready for work, I had the most amazing line come to me for a section of my novel that I've been struggling with.  I am trying to describe a scene—and my portrayals of place have been--well, let’s just say... lacking.

But this morning, curling iron in hand, I found The Perfect Words. But—I’m ashamed to admit—I had no paper or pencil handy. While for a brief moment I considered lipstick on the mirror to get it down, I finally ran to the door and shouted the line to my husband, begging him to write it down before it escaped.

Crisis averted--this time!

I often have inspired thoughts in the shower, or during my daily walks across campus—or driving to work. There’s something about the solitude—and the music I often have playing during those times—that sets my imagination afire. But usually, because of my location—or occupation of the moment—those thoughts get away from me. Oh, I have the “notebook by the bed” thing worked out. I usually catch those early morning musings. But, this morning I had an epiphany about the rest.

I have an iPhone.

(I can hear you thinking. “So? Who doesn’t?”And it's very true—they seem to have bred like rabbits!) 

But I realized, at about 19^th and Union, that I can set my phone up—every morning as I pull out of the garage—to record my voice in a sort of spoken drive-time journal. So, at what is typically the longest light of my commute, I turned on the recorder and let it run while I "thought out loud."

I haven’t listened to it yet, and surely most of what was captured was rambling. But I’m betting somewhere in the midst of those meandering thoughts and lengthy pauses was a gem I don’t want to lose.

If I can dig it out, I’ll let you know.

And if you are a writer who has already tried this, forgive my sense of brilliant innovation and let me know how it’s worked for you.