Many creative writers keep notebooks for recording ideas about future and current projects. I’ve found myself using voice mail in a similar way. When I have an idea at 2:00 a.m., rather than searching for my notebook, I try to climb out of bed without waking anyone, walk to the kitchen, and dial my office. I like not having to find a light, a pen, and the pages of the notebook, though I do have to find the phone.

In the morning I evaluate any thoughts recorded the night before and type them into the appropriate document in the appropriate file.