Hmmmm, my best advice for putting ideas down into a text file is to just write the sentences that are in your head, not important if they're totally unconnected situations, out of order scenes or just a few words without real context. It works best for me. I connect the scenes/moment/sentences later and make them into a whole story. I usually have bits and pieces that are completely random. I'm what you can call an "non-chronological" writer ^_^ Ohhh, I feel honoured that my manip inspired you! I really hope to read the result of that inspiration some time! *encourages* Be creative!

Ahhh, poor honey! I know *exactly* what it feels like when the computer dies... Mine actually did die once and for all in september and I had to buy a new one within a few days, and because I obviously didn't have the money for a shiny new powerful laptop, I bought a netbook - and hey, I can do everything with it (even Photoshop) what my old laptop could do (and that had been about 1000€ more expensive when I bought it...). I hope you get your baby back soon (and working again and no further dying-on-you ^^)