Has everyone had a good holiday season so far? I have been loving it something fierce! But now we're on the downside of it and I just really wish it would last another week or two or seven. Not only has it given me lots and lots of chances to spend quality time with family, but it's given me time to clean and to WRITE! As I'm working through a first draft, it got me wondering....
Where are you when you get your best ideas?
I'm not talking about that initial spark of an idea for a new story. I'm talking about figuring out that missing puzzle piece. That idea of how to work your next scene, or where to take a certain character's arc, or how to have your character figure out that last piece of information they need for the ending scenes. The million things you have to work through as you are writing. Where is your best place for getting that kind of inspiration?
For me, it's most frequently in one of five places. In the car, in the shower, while on a walk, while making dinner, and while folding clothes. So... I guess the places where my body is busy doing something, but my mind is free to wander.
How about you?
25 comments:
Hi Peggy! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here we are...a lot like each other again! I also have my best writing thoughts while driving, walking, and sometimes showering. A really BIG one is hearing a certain song! Thanks for always writing such great blog posts!
Count me in for the whole "busy body, wandering mind" thing. Showering, doing my hair or makeup, and running are all activities that seem to drum up good ideas. Oh, and happy holidays!
Mine are in bed or the shower or just while I'm writing. (I'm a total panster).
Mine are in bed in the mornings when I wake up or right before I go to sleep. I keep a pad near by so I can write them down. Sounds like you have had a great holiday season. Hope your New Year is truly blessed.
As with you, ideas tend to show up when most of me is busy doing something other than writing or revising--when my mind is roaming. That's fine as long as paper and pens are always within reach.
For me, it's running. Which sucks because I HATE to run. But it works. Sigh.
You know, that's really been so different for me, depending upon the projects. For my first one, the story came to me in a dream. But I had to figure out a way to get to that place, so I bounced ideas off my family though they weren't much help. That's when the news came in handy. lol
while I'm trying to go to sleep...that's when the best inspiration hits.
Glad the holidays are going well for you. They have been kind to me.
I just recently got a big inspiration for a current WiP, trying to figure out how to place my character into an unexpected situation, while going to sleep. You know that moment just on the cusp to REM, that's when it hit me. It struck so strong that I recall, barely, dreaming of how the scene could play out.
I totally agree with you, and I would add reading and watching movies to the list :)
Listening to music while driving in my car is my #1 spot for finding the missing puzzle piece. I do get aha moments after watching movies or TV shows or seeing picture sometimes.
It's almost always in the shower.
I so need to get some of those Aqua Notes! I'm always sprinting down the hall, holding my towel up, blinking the soap out of my eyes, and searching for a Post-It. So sad. Haha :)
The vast majority of my ideas come at a time when I'm physically incapable of writing them down. Like last night, I was in bed, eyes heavy from Ambien, and a tremendous idea came to me, but I had not the strength to sit back up, grab my iPad, and write notes. When I woke up this morning, the idea was gone, but I still remember it being one of those "holy crap, that's awesome" moments. And that's all I remember.
ditto!
who's big idea was it to jam halloween, thanksgiving & christmas together in the last 3 months of the year?
editing going splendidly! new ideas also everywhere, jotted down & filed...
glad you had a productive xmas!
I sometimes get them while I'm just falling asleep. I really need to keep a pen and pad at my bedside!
For me, inspiration strikes when I'm almost asleep, which is annoying because then I have to wake up and write it down!
Other inspiring places are: In the shower (a common one I think), when I'm running, and when I'm just chatting with my sister. She's a great help when I'm stuck.
I am definitely an in the car inspiration person. There's just something about going for a road trip that sparks lots of good ideas in my head!
Sometimes right before I go to sleep, which is the worst! I usually flail about in the darkness for my phone and use it to leave a garbled text note to myself. If I'm lucky though it's while watching a movie or just daydreaming.
So glad you are getting to write. I feel like I am in a candy-coated holiday vortex of hell. I have missed my writing space so much. Soon, soon, soon...
I'm not sure why, but I always seem to get my ideas when I'm just about to drift off to sleep for the night. It would be very frustrating, but that seems to be the time for it so I just keep a flashlight, note pad, and pen by the bed and scribble it down as fast as possible so I can get back to sleep. Sometimes it works. :)p
A lot of my ideas come when Im working out/going for a run or walk. Which is fabulous for inspiring ideas BUT then i get home and shower and battle with rambunctious children and deal with a chaotic house that has gotten more chaotic in my absence...and then when i finally sit down to throw all those ideas on paper? theyre gone. ugh.
Another awesome place to get writing ideas is at the movies. Even a awful movie can give me great ideas of what NOT to do, or help me see my WIP in a different light. Defn. Go to lots and lots of movies!
Ditto on movies. Reading. Driving. Working on suing people. Did I just admit that?
I get some ideas first thing in the morning when I am doing Tai chi, the ideas seem to pop in to my head. Others I get when I sit down to write, usually in the morning, or I'll hear something, see something that I think I can use.
Exactly the same for me!
Blowing my hair dry or driving to work. I'm certain some people think I'm being rude because I get to the school and don't want to talk to anyone until I've written the idea down.
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