May #InkRipples – Memories
I have to admit that I have a really cruddy memory. I’m that
person that smiles and nods as you ask, “Remember when…?” Because chances are
I’m barely remembering what happened. But I can usually remember how I felt
while we did whatever it was we did together.
I’m the same way with books. When I sit down to write a
review immediately after finishing a book – I have to look up the main
character’s name. Sheesh! Before Goodreads, I re-read books all the time. And I
wouldn’t figure it out until I was about a 1/3 of the way in the second time
around. Wow! It isn’t a slight on any of the fine authors out there. I just
don’t remember the details. Or some of the high level stuff, for that matter.
It’s great when a book is made into a movie though, because
I don’t have to worry about getting all angsty when they stray from the book. And
in the case of a series, I eventually remember enough detail of the earlier
books as I read on.
But as I mentioned, I have feelings about books I’ve read
and that tells me more than anything else how well I enjoyed it. If I have a
warm fuzzy or a thrilling buzz when I think of the book, then I know I enjoyed
it. But if you say, “Oh my gosh! When Katniss shot the arrow into the ceiling
of the arena, wasn’t that amazing?” Chances are I’ll smile and nod while
desperately trying to pull up the memory.
Are you a high level person? Or a detail person? How does
you memory work – or not?
I love that you don't always remember the details...it helps when I make a big change in my writing and need you to re-read it to see if it works :-) (And it lets me bounce off the wall ideas off of you without worrying it will color your thoughts when you read)
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I can usually remember details of books fairly well. I re-read, but out of choice. Funnily I almost always find something I missed the first, third, even fifth time around. Maybe because of how fast I read, or because something in life made it jump out at me this time around. But, it always makes me look forward to a re-read to see what I'll find this time around.
It really does make me an ideal crit partner who can happily read a manuscript again and again. Snort! I envy you your memory though.
DeleteMy memory is terrible. I can't even remember my own characters names sometimes. Yeah, that's bad. When I'm reading a book for review, I take notes, names, places, stuff like that. It helps my memory. Great post.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, never thought of jotting down notes. Great idea!
DeleteSome things just stick and some don't. I remember scenes from books I read in high school, but ask me about a recently read book and I'm stumped.
ReplyDeleteI'll be posting my #InkRipples on Memory May 9.
I'm a detail person. At least I was before I had kids, and I've been told the memory does eventually come back. I do make sure to keep cheat sheets for certain details in my novels. It's a big time saver.
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ReplyDeleteHi great reeading your post
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