Sometimes I scribble on a small piece of paper or a napkin. Sometimes I use the notes section of my cell phone to make a note about something I saw, or want to remember. These are usually times I want to stay in the moment of what I am experiencing, but I need to remind myself for later. I want to make sure I capture a thought or a moment so I can refer back to it later.

Here's the problem: half the time, I can't read my writing; the other half, I don't know what it means!

I need to do two things: write better notes; and review them before the next day.

Take that extra moment to make a clear note. What is it you are trying to remind yourself of? What's the importance of that note? Where are you thinking you might want to use it; for what purpose?

Then, as soon as you can, review those notes; the sooner, the better. Reviewing in a timely manner helps to remember the image you had in your mind and what you were thinking. You should review no later than that night. If you wait too long, the images can get lost or mixed with other, less important thoughts and images. Sleep has allowed many great ideas to slip away into the vapor.

Revise and rewrite notes. Don't just re-read them and leave them in their original scribbled form. Give yourself the time to rewrite with purpose, so you know exactly what you wanted to say or remember. Even if it was a fleeting thought, with nothing concrete attached to it, then write that. Make the note clear to yourself that this could be anything.

Repetition and re-writing helps solidify the original thought, and can also lead to additional brainstorms. Using new language to describe what you saw or felt can spur other thoughts or feelings and might even lead to an additional story.

I wrote my notes quickly as I tried to eat my sandwich, there in the small town square. I fumbled, there was no place to put my sandwich. I had to balance it on my lap and be careful not to spill my drink. There was so much going on. I pulled out my small spiral notebook. I had to flip through other pages and lists of airline flights and Hostel bookings until I found a blank page to jot down all I saw. If I hadn't reviewed them quickly, I might have missed the story I wanted to tell...or wanted to begin to tell.

A blue gingham jumper
And small saddle shoes;
She used the steps as a chair.
What was her story?
Where did she come from?
The girl with the lavender hair.