I think most writers are almost overwhelmed by ideas. The problem is usually too many ideas or getting ideas for new books when they’re not finished with the old one.
That’s they way it is for me, too. But I’ve noticed that the ideas are striking at different times than they used to.
I used to always get fantastic ideas when I was out running errands. I had a notebook in the car at all times, just in case, and index cards in my pocketbook for those times when I was actually shopping when they struck.
I think what’s happened is that I’m now really focused on the errands and getting them knocked out as quickly as possible. So I have less time when my mind is wandering.
Apparently my brain is just dying for opportunities to flood my mind with these ideas that have been collecting. So lately, the floodgates have been opening while I’m falling asleep, while I’m sleeping, and as I’m waking up.
So I’ve adjusted. There’s a book light and a pencil and a notebook on my bedside table. My husband is probably wishing that my ideas would start coming during errand time again.
A couple of nights ago I had an idea that did more than wake me up and make me jot it down in my handy-dandy notebook. This idea completely launched me out of the bed and downstairs to the computer. It was the solution to a plot hole.
So what I’m gathering from all this is that I’m putting up some barriers to the flow of ideas just because my busyness isn’t making me as receptive to them. So these ideas are all popping out when I’m trying to sleep.
My plan is to tune in more to the daydreaming, idea-generating side of me and less to my to-do list or whatever it is that’s putting up walls.
How do you ensure you’re receptive to getting ideas?
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Couple of quick notes:
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I am learning to keep paper with me at all times, because you never know when the muse will awaken. Mine loves to wake me in the middle of the night! Two of my novels came in the form of a dream, which works out fine if you write the idea down immediately upon waking up.
One time, while working on a poem for my book, I had to run an errand. Of course the words began to flow as soon as I was behind the wheel, and all I had with me was my checkbook! Yes, I jotted the words down on the back of the register (at a stop light)
For some strange reason, I also get great ideas while in the shower…has anyone invented water-proof paper yet? :)
Elizabeth – Thank you so much for passing the word along about Do the Write Thing. I appreciate it so much!
As far as ideas go? I’ve noticed that I get them when my mind is not focused on something so it can wander. Like when I’m doing laundry or taking a shower or walking the dogs. I agree that we have to be open to those ideas whenever we get them, too. Agatha Christie said that the best time to plan a story is when you’re doing the dishes; she had a point there.
Had an interesting speaker at yesterday’s RWA chapter meeting about time management, and she said that multi-tasking doesn’t work. You have to be able to focus on one thing at a time, even if it’s just for a short while. So if you’re trying to do too much, there’s no room for your brain to make sense of what’s whirling through it.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I keep a notebook by the bed, too. Going to sleep and waking up are prime times. Other good times for me are while watching a movie or driving. Or in the shower. Much like everyone else.
Sharon–I’ve written on the back of gas receipts with my eyeliner. Ha! Not easy to read the thing, though.
And, this will sound like a commercial, but guess who started following me on Twitter last week? Some company called AquaNotes. Yes. I have no idea if it works, but here’s the info: If you are a shower thinker, you will love this: we’ve developed AquaNotes® to help you save your great shower ideas. Follow our venture! http://www.myaquanotes.com
Washing dishes is a great time to think. I was musing about one of my favorite shows (Babylon 5) while washing up some dishes a few days ago. A brain flash struck on why it resonates for me in reference to understanding better why SF and fantasy are so important to me as a reader and writer. I made a mad dash for my notebook and pen, my hands still soggy, just to jot it down. My handwriting may be a little sloppy, but I can still read it.
I also get most of my ideas when I go to bed and turn off the lights. Especially because we usually do that when my husband needs to sleep – and I don´t – or can´t.
So if my idea is so long I can´t jot it down in 3-5 words in the dark, I sneak out of the bedroom and write. If anyone in the family come across me with notebook and pen in my hand in the middle of the night, they´ll just ask me who was killed now ;)
I’m so focused on my current project the new ideas just aren’t coming.
life tends to throw us curves that interfere with our idea makers. But like you, if I am trying to piece together a plot problem, many times the solution pops in at the most unexpected times.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium
Such a great post! Sorry I haven’t been around in while. As you said in your post, it’s business that keeps me from tuning into the idea flow. Night time is when I get the most ideas. Like you, I’m often dashing off a bit of dialogue in the wee hours of the morning :D
Cheers,
Jen
I usually have a computer within reach. Then I write down ideas as soon as I can, and store it on Google documents. If I don’t have access to a computer, I write on anything I have at hand, a napkin, the back of a chocolate wrapping, the boarding pass, anything. I use the same approach both for science research ideas and writing ideas >:)
Cold As Heaven
I keep a pen and paper in my purse but lately I have been blocking out everything that isn’t directly related to my current project. It’s so close to finished and I’m already way behind on my goal/deadline I can’t afford any time on anything else! I hate to think about the ideas that are getting bumped off…:(
I try to keep pen + paper handy at all times, too. Next to my bed, on the couch, in my bag for when I’m on the train.
Most of my ideas pop up when I read about history or biographies. Also I get lots of new ideas while watching TV documentaries (which I love to do).
In the event that there isn’t any paper to grab for me in the moment something hits my brain, I repeat the idea – its keywords – over and over again, till I can grab the next best paper. Kind of like a student learning for an exam.
Oi! I think it is busy body, relaxed mind that works best, but if your mind is only allowed to relax at bedtime, that’s what it’s doing. I wake up with ideas fairly often (sometimes from sleep, more often in those sort of wake/sleep middle ground right before morning). I go into the bathroom to write them as hubby is CRABBY if I disturb him on purpose, where a trip to the bathroom I can pretend nature called.
My best connectors though–the plot hole type problem solving, comes when i walk (without the iPod, ideally)
Margot–I like the walking the dog approach and I think Chloe the corgi might agree. :)
Jaleh–Maybe that will encourage me to do more housework! :)
Terry–I totally agree and it pains me to say it, because I’m a multi-tasker!
Carol–So downtime for you, too.
Alex–It sounds like you’ve been really productive!
N. R.–I guess it’s our subconscious at work?
Cold As Heaven–I’m liking Google Docs, too. Very handy! And we can access these ideas anywhere.
Colene–That’s a bad feeling, isn’t it? It’s almost like deadline time is prime time for those shiny new ideas to strike.
Andrea–Ha! That’s TOO funny–I thought I was the only one who did that! It’s like reciting a phone number over and over again so you won’t forget it until you find paper…otherwise, the idea just evaporates.
Hart–Sounds like a more thoughtful way of writing down early morning/middle of the night ideas than mine! Ha!
That iPod may be what’s messing me up, too! Too much music and no room for words in my head!
Oh, those ideas. They’re always brewing. I guess sometimes they have to get at you when you’ve finally let your guard down. Hope you get some sleep despite the idea bugs – a different kind of bed bug!
Dorte–And I’m an insomniac, so half the time I’m just *trying* to sleep and not sleeping! Sounds like we’re in the same boat.
It’s a different KIND of murder when we sneak around with our notebooks. :)
Jen–It’s funny that the ideas come when we’re not *planning* on them! :)
Mary–You know, you’re right–it’s almost like I’ve got my guard up against these ideas…sometimes they make my life more complicated (especially when I’ve already completed my first draft.) :)
Sheilagh Lee said: I keep post it notes in my purse and often pull them out and put ideas on them.Other time it’s any scrap of paper that’s near.
I usually get my ideas at night, too, though I would prefer daytime solutions.
I signed up for the newsletter and I’m looking forward to receiving it.
Sheilagh Lee: It’s funny to think of all these writers desperately scrounging around for paper!
Jane–Thanks!I hope you’ll enjoy it. :)
I used to get ideas doing the most mundane things but lately I’ve had so much going on they never seem to flow like they used. You hit the nail on the head with the point that we can put those barriers up.
So I got back into daydreaming, where I get a ton of ideas. I usually do it first thing in the morning, with my headphones on either listening to classical music or alternative rock (depending if I need ideas for a slow or fast paced story) and that usually gets the creativity going!