“. .
. a good idea doesn’t come while you’re doing a million things. The good idea
comes in the moment of rest. It comes in the shower. It comes when you’re
doodling or playing trains with your son. It’s when your mind is on other
things.”
I couldn’t
agree more. Over the years, I’ve learned that when I’m struggling with a
manuscript, the best thing I can do is switch to a different project. (That’s the
only antidote for writer’s block.)
I
know from experience that a solution will come in its own time. All I have to do
is
(1) be patient
(2) be
ready
Because
most of the time, the solution pops into my mind when I least expect it—while taking
a walk, while driving, while drifting off to sleep, or, as Miranda says, while
taking a shower.
Why
do solutions come at such inopportune times? Because some part of my brain works
on the problem while I continue on with my life and, eventually, it comes up
with an idea. But that idea can only enter my conscience mind in those rare
moments when I allow my thoughts to roam freely.
And
when that moment comes and the solution pushes its way through, I have to record
it before it floats away.
That
means interrupting my walk and hurrying home, pulling the car to the side of
the road, getting up out of a warm, cozy bed, and hopping out of the shower—naked
and soaking wet—and dashing to the nearest notebook.
Kids
are no different than me, which is why I think young writers should have a
folder with several pieces of writing. On any given day, they should be able to
choose which piece to work on. And as I’ve discussed before on this blog, all writers should let their rough drafts “chill out” before they dive into revisions.
Thinking
is a critically important part of writing, and deep thinking takes time and a healthy
respect for moments of rest.
This is such wonderful advice, Melissa. I've started recording in my journal when my breakthroughs come. As you suggested, they are typically during a walk or during a yoga class. And yes, I've had that shower moment too! I agree that we need to convey this to young writers too. There's nothing worse than forcing a piece of writing when it's not working.
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