diff --git a/keybindings.go b/keybindings.go
index e1af3f0..4771642 100644
--- a/keybindings.go
+++ b/keybindings.go
@@ -143,6 +143,14 @@ func addDebugKeys(g *gocui.Gui) {
 			if tk.v == nil {
 				log.Log(ERROR, "tk.v = nil")
 			}
+			if me.fakefile == nil {
+				log.Log(ERROR, "making fakefile")
+				me.fakefile = NewFakeFile(tk.v)
+			} else {
+				log.Log(ERROR, "attempt write to fakefile")
+				fmt.Fprintf(me.fakefile, "test out fakefile %d\n", ecount)
+			}
+			// log.CaptureMode(tk.v)
 			return nil
 		})
 
diff --git a/structs.go b/structs.go
index 4fc2df1..c69971b 100644
--- a/structs.go
+++ b/structs.go
@@ -99,6 +99,9 @@ type config struct {
 
 	// used for listWidgets() debugging
 	depth int
+
+	// used to attempt to write to the stdout window
+	fakefile *FakeFile
 }
 
 // deprecate these