Sunday, January 4, 2015

(#95-1) January 4 2015. TMD—by which I mean—Too Much Data

THOUGHTS ON MEMORY

VICTOR - SHOT BY MICK - ENHANCED

I CAN’T REMEMBER A SHOPPING LIST OR TELEPHONE NUMBERS, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING, I AM TRULY STAGGERED AT HOW MUCH I CAN RECALL

When I was at school I found I was very bad at remembering things by rote—so much so that I was never asked after a while. Years later, I was diagnosed as suffering from a form of dyslexia which meant, in essence, that I have an eclectic memory. That’s a charitable way of describing it.

Writing is not the best activity to chose if you have memory problems. Nonetheless, I was determined to become a writer regardless. More foolish yet, I picked an area where I would have to dredge up numerous facts on demand—the researched action thriller. Later, I added—as part of my non-fiction interests—the economy and military matters. Why so? Well, they interest me. But, all these areas are data heavy and have strained my recall to its limits and beyond.

I have developed all sorts of workarounds to prompt my memory, am obsessed with databases, and normally have a ring-binder open filled with key facts—but when I’m in the zone writing something seems to switch on in my brain and my memory seems to work better.

Damned if I understand it—but it’s wonderful.

Mind you, when I’m not writing…

VOR words 223.


 

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