Writers are often advised to carry a small notebook to write down observations, bits of dialogue, etc. With modern technology, many people just use their phones. But what to do with these little tidbits?
Sometimes I can go months before I start using some of my more creative writing ideas. I might think that they’re not that useful. But then I go through a period where I find value in many snippets of information that I’ve written. And I’m so glad that I’ve spent the energy on writing things that catch my eye. It might be an interaction with a friend that has brought out strong emotions. Or it could be a small incident that makes me think and reflect. The last few years I resumed recording lines when I was reading something that caught my eye. Then months later, I would rewrite this tidbit, using the style, or something in it as a prompt. Letting some more time go by, I then use this in my current project.
I called this activity reading to write, and it pays off. When I notice something in my own novel that came from this exercise, I am happy with how it flows.
I used to record lines years ago, but it’s the attempt to rewrite the passage in my own words that has really added value to my writing.