Keep a one-line idea list

Make a note when something strikes your fancy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeartRadio. Good Morning,
This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast. Today's
tip is to keep a one line idealist. When you
hear something that sparks your thinking, write it down. It's

(00:26):
possible that it just might come in handy someday. Today's
tip comes from prolific novelist Serena Bowen. From her interview
for this podcast last year, Serena explained that she's always
on the lookout for ideas she finds interesting, such as
things she reads in news stories that capture her attention

(00:47):
for some reason. Perhaps it's a police case that's solved
in an unexpected way, or a couple that meets under
truly bizarre circumstances. Serena says it is wise to recognize
ideas that intrigue you and to find a place to
record these ideas, or to keep them close. As she

(01:09):
puts it, Serena has a page at the back of
her planner called one Line Ideas. Sometimes she will write
a book that has its seed in one or more
of these little musings. But even if you are not
a novelist, it pays to keep track of ideas that
interest you. Serena explains, what you write down are those

(01:33):
things that tickle you for a second. She says, it's
the act of stopping to say hold on, that's different,
that's speaking to me. So, for instance, a teacher might
keep track of bizarre news stories and use the situations
as short story prompts. A person who loves to entertain

(01:57):
might keep track of ideas for decorps, food, or waves
of fostering interactions among guests. A poet or novelist might
keep a list of images, situations, or insights that captured
her attention. Even if you don't have a specific outlet
for the ideas in mind, I think there can be
value in recording interesting ideas anyway. Keeping a one line

(02:23):
ideal list can make you a keener observer and can
foster reflection or imagination. You might be able to start
interesting conversations with people or draw new connections when you
see something else in the future. There's no need to
make this list fancy. You can keep it in a

(02:44):
notebook or on your phone, perhaps in Apple notes. As
Serena explains, the benefit is simply in the act of
stopping recognizing moments of interest and meaning, rather than just
plowing through your day without much reflection. Maybe the ideas
you save will end up serving as seeds for your
work in the future, but regardless, they'll make you more

(03:08):
sensitive to life as it is going on. If you
try keeping a one line ideal list, I'd love to
hear about how you track your ideas and what you
do with them. You can reach me at Laura at
Laura vandercam dot com. In the meantime, this is Laura.

(03:28):
Thanks for listening, and here's to making the most of
our time. Thanks for listening to Before Breakfast. If you've
got questions, ideas, or feedback, you can reach me at
Laura at Laura vandercam dot com. Before Breakfast is a

(03:56):
production of iHeartMedia. For more podcasts from iHeart, please visit
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to
your favorite shows.