Or, Inspiration and the Question We *Should* Be Asking | Neil Gaiman tells the hilarious story of why writers are so hostile to this question. Here is the real question we should be asking and how it will help us jump-start our own writing when we're stuck.
Mine often come to me right when I am trying to sleep. I meditate everyday before I sleep to calm the brain and that's usually when characters will start telling me their stories. When I don't want them. I used to jot these idea's down right away but these days I just mentally tell my brain to file them away and I"ll do something wit them in the morning. Works a treat.
Thanks so lucky! Too many times I think I'm going to remember something in the morning, and I just don't - it's gone forever. It's been a hard lesson for me to learn to write things down... lol
Meditation is a great tip too. I haven't tried that so I wouldn't be able to speak intelligently on it. But I'm very much of the view of, whatever works, do it!
Meditation is what gives you the ability to remember things later. Think of the brain like an organic computer. If you never learn to operate it, then it's like running in RAM all the time. Once short term memory gets full you lose stuff. Meditation allows you to start writing to the hard-drive. It's no big deal to just catch something, more it over into a more permanent form of memory and retrieve it later.
You can prime yourself by first learning to remember your dreams. I will typically remember 3-4 separate dreams every night. Over time you'll get so good at operating the mind that you can even pull stuff out of collective memory, the unconscious on command.
One more reason I should try meditation... lol. My memory is getting worse and worse. I believe it can help you relax as well -- and I can certainly use a bit more relaxation time!
Subtle but an important shift on how to frame this question. Right after I read your blog I walked to my Aquafit class, the image of my cat looking forlorn as I exited the house. Throughout the walk to the pool I *wrote* a piece in my head about our relationship. I often get my ideas while walking, snowshoeing, hiking. That's one of the reasons why I never listen to music when engaging in these activities.
A lot of writers (as you probably know) use walking as a way to get out of "writer's block" and to work out problems with plot, character, etc. Might be worth a post on its own!
(Funny, I tend to get ideas on road trips. Driving around the city, not so much. But a quick trip to Duluth, I'll get three or four ideas...)
No more snowshoeing this year though -- I hope... lol But lots of good hikes and walks to be had!
I've found it more productive being open to ideas, instead of chasing ideas. When you're open to ideas, everything is an idea. When you're chasing ideas, nothing is.
All I'd add is that *waiting* for ideas doesn't always work -- you can be waiting a long time! Purposefully building a creative environment so that the ideas come more freely is a better way to go about it. Part of the idea of ritual is that when you sit down to write, the ideas will come automatically like Pavlov's dog.
Mine often come to me right when I am trying to sleep. I meditate everyday before I sleep to calm the brain and that's usually when characters will start telling me their stories. When I don't want them. I used to jot these idea's down right away but these days I just mentally tell my brain to file them away and I"ll do something wit them in the morning. Works a treat.
Thanks so lucky! Too many times I think I'm going to remember something in the morning, and I just don't - it's gone forever. It's been a hard lesson for me to learn to write things down... lol
Meditation is a great tip too. I haven't tried that so I wouldn't be able to speak intelligently on it. But I'm very much of the view of, whatever works, do it!
Thanks for chiming in!
Meditation is what gives you the ability to remember things later. Think of the brain like an organic computer. If you never learn to operate it, then it's like running in RAM all the time. Once short term memory gets full you lose stuff. Meditation allows you to start writing to the hard-drive. It's no big deal to just catch something, more it over into a more permanent form of memory and retrieve it later.
You can prime yourself by first learning to remember your dreams. I will typically remember 3-4 separate dreams every night. Over time you'll get so good at operating the mind that you can even pull stuff out of collective memory, the unconscious on command.
One more reason I should try meditation... lol. My memory is getting worse and worse. I believe it can help you relax as well -- and I can certainly use a bit more relaxation time!
Thanks again, Summer!
Subtle but an important shift on how to frame this question. Right after I read your blog I walked to my Aquafit class, the image of my cat looking forlorn as I exited the house. Throughout the walk to the pool I *wrote* a piece in my head about our relationship. I often get my ideas while walking, snowshoeing, hiking. That's one of the reasons why I never listen to music when engaging in these activities.
That's a great point, Susan!
A lot of writers (as you probably know) use walking as a way to get out of "writer's block" and to work out problems with plot, character, etc. Might be worth a post on its own!
(Funny, I tend to get ideas on road trips. Driving around the city, not so much. But a quick trip to Duluth, I'll get three or four ideas...)
No more snowshoeing this year though -- I hope... lol But lots of good hikes and walks to be had!
I've found it more productive being open to ideas, instead of chasing ideas. When you're open to ideas, everything is an idea. When you're chasing ideas, nothing is.
I agree 100%, Punit!
All I'd add is that *waiting* for ideas doesn't always work -- you can be waiting a long time! Purposefully building a creative environment so that the ideas come more freely is a better way to go about it. Part of the idea of ritual is that when you sit down to write, the ideas will come automatically like Pavlov's dog.
That's the theory, anyway!
That's totally on point! 😀
I love this framing Punit! Gotta keep the windows open, let the fresh air in. ✨