Yes, I know the feeling. I also have experiences during which I have something in my head already (while fully awake) and I forget it all because reasons. Sometimes, I remember it later, but many times, not so much. Perhaps you can craft what you remember into a different story...?

You could use that line and create a story with it. Sounds like a damn interesting line, it could be used in so many different contexts. Maybe do a brain storm with possible plots. For example, maybe it's about an old couple where the old woman just found out that her husband was a murderer in their younger days and she sees him for everything he is, but with the knowledge of what he's done, he's nothing to her anymore. And he tries to kill her! ...Or other shit happens, I don't know, I'm not a writer haha

that line you wrote is really good.

Hemingway once said, "Writing is easy. All you do is sit at the typewriter and bleed". But maybe it's best not to follow in his footsteps....

How about this: every day for a week give yourself 30 minutes to type a short story, no editing until the end of the week, with that line as the last line of the story? At the end of the week you'll have seven short stories which you can then edit. Doesnt need to be perfect, do it for you.

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo by any chance?

I am not involved with NaNoWriMo, but many of my friends are, which is likely the cause of my dream in the first place. Pressuring myself to write always results in my getting distracted by research. I could never manage a NaNo, mostly because I can't go without editing.

I know how you feel, OP. I write full stories in my head and then when I go to write them down, I either forget or the iron gate crashes down. Good luck from a fellow writer.

You might consider getting a book of writing prompts. I know Barnes and Nobles has some good ones. Whenever I get writers block, I sit down and pick a random prompt or two. It sometimes helps to clear the mind and get the brain flowing when I write on a completely unrelated topic. It also helps me out when I'm upset about something, so there's an added plus. :)

Turning off your "internal editor" can go a long way towards unblocking you. Some self-editing while you write can be good, but not if it gets to the point where you edit out all the words before you actually type them in. Lowering your quality standards when you write a first draft, and then learning how do a proper revision afterward, is an important skill to acquire. Good luck!

It's probably a good thing you didn't actually put that line in a real story.

52, I second your notion. It has stymied me more than a few times when I want to write a cohesive narrative. It's less difficult (for me, anyway) when I am doing free verse poetry and raps, because it is less structured.

As a writer I understand I have 3 unfinished book