I’m not a plotter, but I think about my story for a long time knowing the key moments before I begin to write. I know what’s going to happen at the end even though when I get there that might change. So how do I get those ideas that make up the major part of the story if I haven’t plotted the entire manuscript?
Another writer shared a great tip with me. She told me she even stops driving, pulls over when she thinks of a good scene and records that idea on her phone right away.
For me, it’s usually when I’m hiking ideas for a chapter pop into my head. While doing some mundane task, you’ve probably had the same experience. The words flow beautifully, the idea is exciting, but five minutes later it’s disappeared like steam from a kettle spout. That’s why, the instant a scene or dialog comes to mind, I record it, label it, and once it’s been used in my writing, only then do I delete it. I can’t emphasize enough how using your phone immediately is one of the best strategies while you’re working on that first draft.
Read and Write 