I’ve been writing for a very long time now. I do it every
day, as much as I possibly can. Even when I’m not writing, I’m thinking about writing, or at least speculating
plot lines and character backstories. However, these days, due to my busy
schedule, I don’t always have a lot of time to write or plan. I have very few
moments of the day in which I can just sit and let my thoughts wander about my
story. So I’ve learned to maximize every opportunity, as well as identify them.
Today, I want to share with y’all my top three places for thinking about my
stories.
1. The Car
This
one works better for me than it probably does for most people. I live in Texas,
where everything is fairly spread out. Unless you live and do everything in a
large city, you will find yourself driving out to other cities fairly often.
Considering I also live in the country, this is especially true. It takes
fifteen minutes to get to Walmart, twenty to get to an actual grocery store, and twenty-five to get to church. The longest
drive would be the transition I take between campuses for college. The ASL
department is entirely based in one of the furthest campuses from me, and so it
takes a good hour to get there from home.
Between
all of this driving time, I have a lot of opportunities to think. Even if your
commute times are nowhere near this
long, even five or ten minutes of deep thought can give great results. Instead
of listening to the news or filling in the silence with loud music, put on some
quiet background noise and think. It doesn’t even need to be about the next
scene you’ll write, or what you feel should happen next. Think about events
that happen before the story, events that fuel your characters’ decisions. Think
about what your character’s favorite foods and memories are, and why that is. Surround
yourself with your story, and let your mind wander. Just make sure you take the
right exit.
2. The Shower
This one sounds a little strange if you have never done it,
but there is something about the steady rhythm of warm (or cold, or even hot if
you’re like me) water that gives an incredible amount of inspiration. I can’t
tell you how many plot ideas or even entire books that I’ve come up with whilst
taking a shower. The climax for Mind Over
Matter finally fell into place while I was washing my hair. So, while you’re
rubbing in your shampoo, think about your story. Think about the way you want
your structure to go, or how some side-plots should reach their completion.
And hey, if showers aren’t for you, baths work wonderfully
as well. Just make sure you don’t take all day, especially if you have not a lot
of hot water available, like we do. If you leave friends/family with no hot
water, they will not appreciate it, no matter how good the reason.
3. In Bed
This is probably the best one I can offer on this list. Most
people could probably take a guess as to why this is. When you are in bed, you
have no distractions. It is the perfect place to close your eyes and just
envision a scene from your story. Instead of just thinking about things, like
you would normally do, you can picture your novel as a mental movie, with each
scene playing out just like how you would see it if it were a film. This makes
the time it takes for you to fall asleep one of your greatest opportunities to
plan out action scenes, from car chases to sword fights, or any other part of
your book, really.
So, there we go. My favorite pondering places. I hope this
is of some help to all of y’all, as in our busy lives we often find ourselves
struggling to make time for the things we deem important. Sometimes, all it takes
is realizing the perfect opportunities that already exists, and learning to
take full advantage of them. Now then, next time you find yourself on a long
drive, relaxing in a warm bath, or lying awake late at night, allow your mind
to just wander. It’s amazing how much you can come up with.
Oh my goodness, I just have to say, these are MY top 3 places to think as well!! (especially since we just moved from TX and I've experienced the crazy driving there...) Wonderful article Arella!
ReplyDeleteC.g.K.
Haha, thanks! I had a feeling that quite a few people would relate to at least one or two. :)
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