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?

Ripples in the Inkwell is a themed meme hosted by Mary Waibel, Katie L. Carroll, and Kai Strand posting on the second Monday of every month. To participate compose your own post regarding the theme of the month, and link back to the three host blogs. Feel free to post whenever you want during the month, but be sure to include #inkripples when you promote so readers can find you. The idea is that we toss a word or idea into the inkwell and each post is a new ripple. There is no wrong interpretation. Themes and images and more information can be found here.

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 2, 2016 at 7:23 AM

    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)

    As 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kai Strand, AuthorMay 2, 2016 at 9:19 AM

      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.

      Delete
  2. Beverly Stowe McClureMay 2, 2016 at 9:06 AM

    My 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kai Strand, AuthorMay 2, 2016 at 9:20 AM

      Hmmm, never thought of jotting down notes. Great idea!

      Delete
  3. cleemckenzieMay 2, 2016 at 5:02 PM

    Some 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.

    I'll be posting my #InkRipples on Memory May 9.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMay 2, 2016 at 5:15 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownMay 2, 2016 at 5:16 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Trevor WanderlustOctober 23, 2021 at 3:40 AM

    Hi great reeading your post

    ReplyDelete

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