It’s Late. You’re Tired.

But your subconscious wants to wander. You wrestle with it and think you’ve corralled the annoying little beast. Then, just as your body spasms in a sleep twitch, a fantastic story idea occurs to you.

If you don’t write it down, you know you’ll forget it.

It has happened before.

Too many times.

Try these tips to record the inspiration that hits you just as you’re about to fall asleep, or in dreams that wake you with an eerie déjà vu vibe. Six of the tips don’t require a pen and paper.

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Tip #1: Keep Sticky Notes or a Notepad Next to the Bed

A touch lamp with an amber light bulb makes the process easier. (See the warning under Tip #2 for the importance of an amber bulb.) Once you’ve recorded your idea(s), switch off the lamp and close your eyes.

Voila!

Now if you can just fall asleep without any further ideas popping into your head … Wait a minute — here’s another one.

Long night ahead?

Maybe you should slip off to the bathroom and jot down your thoughts there.

P.S. If you don’t like touch lamps, try a lighted pen.

Tip #2: Maintain a Text File on Your Phone

Open a text file in your favorite app and leave it onscreen. It’s easy to add to the file, especially if you have no login security or fingerprint ID.

Warning: This will wake you, and you might have trouble getting back to sleep. Screens on cellphones, computers, tablets, and televisions emit blue light that inhibits the pineal gland from producing melatonin — the hormone that helps you fall asleep. Normally, your body produces more melatonin at night. The blue light from screens and other light sources fools your body into thinking it’s daytime.

Tip #3: Send Yourself a Text

Warning: The phone will make its usual noise and/or vibration when you receive your self-text, which will wake a sleeping partner unless you remember to set the Do Not Disturb function first. If you keep forgetting to set it before you climb into bed, create a schedule that automatically activates and deactivates it.

Review the warning under Tip #2.

P.S. If you wait until morning to press the SEND key, you won’t wake anyone even if Do Not Disturb is off.

Tip #4: Use Your E-Reader

Yes, your e-reader. Keep a text file onscreen. When an idea occurs, roll over in bed, open the reader’s cover, highlight a word, and add a note. No light needed, and if you’re careful, you won’t wake your partner.

The Kindle Paperwhite offers one of the lowest blue-light levels in today’s market, at a price that won’t make you cringe. The newest versions are lighter than ever, and no matter where you take your reader, you’ll be able to carry thousands of books with you.

Tip #5: Try a Voice Recorder

Caution: This will wake all but the heaviest of companion sleepers. Before you attempt it, learn how to operate the recorder by touch. When your muse inspires you, keep your eyes closed, grab the recorder, and talk.

Mini voice recorders and pen recorders don’t require much room on the bedside table, and they have the capacity to record an entire sleepless night’s ideas.

Tip #6: Tell Siri or Another Voice Assistant to Take a Note

This, like the previous tip, will wake most sleeping partners.

“Hey, Siri, take a note” is the way to activate this on Apple systems. Practice it during waking hours, until you know how to do it with your eyes closed.

Tip #7: Ask Siri to Make an Audio Recording of Your Idea

“Hey, Siri, record audio” initiates the process.

However, this approach requires button pushes, which means opening your eyes. You’ll be wide awake once you’re finished, and so will your sleeping partner.

Provide Sufficient Detail

No matter how clear an idea is when it hits, if you leave yourself an obscure phrase or sentence, it may cause a puzzled frown in the morning. Ensure that you record enough detail to make the idea intelligible when you need it.

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