I’ve heard the stories about writers keeping a notepad by their bed for those midnight Eureka moments. I would more likely knock the dang thing off my nightstand in the dark, along with my glasses!
I am a people watcher, thinking about the ‘backstory’ when I encounter groups of people at the mall, or that single person quietly sipping a coffee at Bridgehead. And the backstory gives me ideas for my own stories, essays or whatever.
But short of fumbling through my backpack or patting my pockets for a scrap of paper to jot down a note, I have to rely on my memory until I am back at my desk. By that time, though, there are emails to answer, meals to be cooked, or in the case last week a whole house to uproar (is that even a verb?) in advance of the fridge repairman, a new stove arriving and two large gentlemen banging and hammering in the basement as they replace my hot water tank. Oh, and my landlord and crew sawing up and removing the large cottonwood that mysteriously fell in my backyard (which nobody heard which is even weirder). You get the drift…
A few weeks ago I built myself a bag just for those backstory moments – light, over the shoulder, big enough for my sketchbook or a notepad, with cellphone and wallet spots so a bit more general purpose. Sadly my son’s prototype shoulder bag was a bad design for him (blame the designer!) so I gave him my first attempt at a backstory bag!
Ergo here is my next attempt, a bit more refined, with a place for notebook and/or sketchbook inside, pocket for my cellphone and even a spot for pens and pencils. I even went to the length of pop-rivetting the strap holders. This sucker ain’t gonna come apart!
So I am off to try it out. Happy jotting to all my creative friends!
Peace,
Mark