Inventions Just for Writers

[Addison]

How many times has any one, in any profession, wished that someone would make an invention, big or small, that would make their job just a little easier? Too many.

My dad's a doctor, my step-dad's an IT manager, my mom's a teacher and my step-mom's a nursing director. Each of them has wished the world would give them, and their profession, something to make their job easier, overcome road blocks faster or make them disappear altogether.

Me, as a writer, I wish there was an invention like a blue tooth that would write or draw your ideas as they pop in your head. Ideas come whenever they do, no planning, or calling ahead, they just come and you're not always prepared. I had an idea at a restaurant and had to use my sister's crayon to write it on the napkin. I went through ten napkins because they kept shredding.

So, that's my wish for an invention. Any one else have dream inventions of any kind for any profession?

 

[Chilari]

You know Addison, there is an invention already created you can use to write your ideas on: a notebook. I have a notebook in my handbag, one next to my PC and one by my bed, and as such always have something to make notes on wherever I am, unless I'm swimming. Okay, it does require some planning in that I do have to take my handbag when I leave the house, but since it also contains other essentials, like my purse, it's rather difficult to forget.

There are also some phone apps that you can download for note-taking purposes.

But it sounds like what you're looking for is some sort of brain implant, and I'm afraid those don't exist yet - and when they do, note taking won't be high on the agenda.

Anyway. I can't think of anything that would make my life as a writer easier that doesn't already exist. Glasses, check; cloud computing, check; shorthand, check (though I don't know it); a faster means of recording ideas or writing stories than handwriting, check - computers and keyboards. Everything else that's slowing me down is my own fault.

Outside of writing though, an extra pair of hands could come in useful. Speed up the washing up, make it easier to carry laundry when I can't find the basket or it's already in use, can change the music on my phone or adjust my glasses without stopping typing.

 

[Jess A]

I second the notebook thing. Mine usually fall apart after a time, but pen and notepad is essential to me.

As for inventions...I haven't even explored most of what's out there yet, technology-wise. So I can't begin to think about technology. I'll probably wake up tomorrow with some amazing (ridiculous) idea to add to your thread.

Since we're talking about fantasy, perhaps suspend reality for a bit and look at some truly bizarre inventions that might be useful. Such as those brain implants (I'd be afraid of privacy though, or my mind being hacked).

 

[Addison]

Cute Chilari, but like I said a pen and notebook aren't always on hand for me. Any time my mom catches me putting a pen and notebook in my bag she says to put them back or we're not going anywhere. That's why, at that dinner, I had to resort to a crayon and napkin.

I could do with an invention that either slows time down or makes it stop completely. That way, on days where everything comes hard and heavy at once, I can catch up.

 

[Guru Coyote]

A phone with dictation/voice recognition might be pretty close to what you seek. a) You'll likely have a phone with you at a dinner... b) it already works (e.g. Siri can take notes for you)

A wholly other approach is to train your mind Imagine all the energy you put into recording that idea with crayons and napkins. What if that energy had gone into memorizing it?
I hardly ever write my ideas down, preferring to let them simmer in my mind until it's time to put them to action in a story. Sometimes it takes conscious effort to 'record' a fleeting idea for later in my memory, but I haven't 'lost' any of my big ideas yet. But that's just me