Mar 09 2010
When Inspiration Strikes at Inconvenient Times
by Jules
Without readers, writers are voiceless and lifeless. I would never want to ostracize any one of you – you make the stories worth writing and without you, our stories would be like a movie theater without any patrons. So, THANK YOU, to each of you that take the time to sit down and read the thoughts that tumble our of our brains.
So onto the topic at hand: inspiration at inconvenient times.
Writers, you know what I’m talking about, right?
Since embarking on this journey of writing I have found my characters having conversations in my head during meetings at work; while sharing – ahem – intimate moments with my husband; while showering, just before falling asleep, driving my car in snow storms, while working out and in a few other places that will remain nameless. Some of these moments are more easily capitalized upon than others, but, what do you do? It seems like, more often than not, some of my best inspiration comes at times when I am indisposed.
I work at a CPA firm and obviously this is a slightly busy time of year. I can’t really spend time typing away at the computer, working on my story, when other things are demanding my attention. But damn it what am I supposed to do when Emmett decides to have a conversation with Bella in my head when I’m supposed to be processing tax returns? This past week I resorted to writing my thoughts down paper. I actually held a pen and wrote the conversation down, because it was happening in my head right at that moment. I couldn’t let it go, and knew I wouldn’t remember it verbatim at a later time. There have been a few moments that I have done this in recent times.
Actually writing (rather than typing) is more daunting, painfully slow and, at times, messy. But you know what? It actually felt pretty satisfying to feel the pen gliding on the paper…my thoughts translating into words on a piece of paper, rather than on a glowing screen. My first attempt at ever writing an actual “book” it was all in my own hand. Of course I never finished, but I was fifteen and other distractions won out.
And, what about the times when pen and paper won’t do? I often have thoughts in the shower (git yer minds outta the gutter) but I can’t exactly bring my lap top in there (I don’t relish being electrocuted). What do you do? Do you scrub and run? I’ve done that before. Imagine my disappointment when I rushed out, toweled off and found that the lap top was being monopolized by my dear hubby. By the time I actually get my hands on it, the thoughts have morphed and turned into something completely different.
I’ve heard rumblings of writers using a hand held recording device for these moments, but I hate hearing my voice on tape. Loathe it. I can’t go there. I cringe when I hear a message that hasn’t been deleted on the answering machine or an echo when I have a bad connection on the phone.
So, my fellow writers, what do you do when inspiration strikes at a less than opportune time? What’s your course of action when you are derailed by the check-out lady at the grocery store when you are in the midst of an “aha” moment? How many moments do you think you’ve lost to this crippling phenomenon?
I’m figuring it out as I go, but am open to any and all of your personal innovations. I would also love to hear about any of your inspirations at strange times or awkward moments.
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7 Responses to “When Inspiration Strikes at Inconvenient Times”
Ahh Jules, I soooo feel your pain! I have a character in a series named Patrick who just flat out refuses to shut up! Even if it’s not something relating to the stories, I literally can picture him sitting on my couch, big bowl of cheese puffs on his stomach as he comments on whatever I’m watching on TV. Every now and then during those moments, he’ll have a funny one-liner that I write down and try to remember (for example: “I’m on it like herpes on Paris Hilton”. Sugarcoating isn’t his thing) He does share things that will happen in the current story I’m working on, or the sequels (the next one in the series is actually focused on him so I get a lot of scenes from it) and I messily scribble them down in a notebook used for plot notes/ideas/scenes that have been told to me. Sometimes it can be pretty annoying, like trying to fall asleep and having a lemon scene played in my head. Thanks, Patrick (of course he is sarcastically grinning and saying “you’re welcome!” in my head as I type that out. Jackass)
I also have the same “OMF I’m showering/tryna sleep/in the middle of a convo with someone so get out my head” moments and I know how aggravating they can be. My solution: I have pads and pens EVERYWHERE. They’re the little pads you can get at hotels (thanks Dad!) or you can even get a pack of them at your local Dollar Store. But I keep one in my purse, on my nightstand, in the medicine cabinet for after a shower or while brushing my teeth, etc etc. So when something comes to me, I can quickly jot it down. Granted it does look rushed and barely legible, but I’m the only one who’s gonna be reading it. And like you, Jules, I loathe my voice, so dictophone is out! Sometimes they get rewritten in my idea notebook that I mentioned in the first paragraph, but more often they just get paperclipped to the other small sheets of paper and put in the notebook for that story/series.
But unlike you, I actually write my first draft in notebooks or on paper, then type it up. Sometimes things change going from paper to screen, but usually in a good way. Then I proofread and submit/post it, depending on the site and the publication process.
Dunno if that was any help or just a ramble of my own, but that’s my thoughts/reaction to your post
*hugs Jules* Thank you for the welcome!
For years I carried around a journal and wrote snippets of ideas, stories, prose, poetry… anything really. Enough to fill 7 journals worth. I could never imagine myself using a computer to create a story – it felt so impersonal. But, I’ve found myself writing at the computer as I make my foray into fanfic, and it isn’t so bad.
However, I have a job where I’m nowhere near a computer (I do 1:1 work with a student in a high school), so I find myself pulling scraps of paper out and writing pieces of a chapter, ideas, etc. And while I’ve been struggling with my latest chapter while sitting at a computer, I found the words flowing once I put pen to paper. I guess for me, a paper and pen, ink stained fingers, and a chewed pen cap will always be a better way to write. The messier the better, I say!
♥mm
I have definitely had some of those moments, Jules. I have a journal and pen beside my bed because I have had many moments either right before I go to sleep or as soon as I wake up that I have been struck with inspiration. I also carry around a small notepad in my purse to jot down random thoughts. I’ve even whipped out my BlackBerry and sent myself an email so I didn’t forget a particular idea. Inspiration really will strike at the oddest times, and all you can do is hope the idea will stay in your head long enough to get it written down.
Of course, the flip side of the coin is inspiration not coming at all, but I’ll let you read all about that in my column tomorrow
Hey Jules, I am a CPA too but in Australia lol and find I get heaps of ideas while at work – well it’s boring and my mind conjures up much more exciting things in my imaginary world… I have taken to carrying around a memory stick just for my stories and my secret stash of Rob pics and whenever I get the chance or even when I should be working I quickly (or not) type up my ideas. I did get a rap over the knuckles last month that my billings were down oops…
My kids commented a few weeks ago that I now no longer listen to the radio/CD’s in my car which they thought was weird. I realised that it was because I am always thinking of my current fanfic I am writing or wanting to write… A few weeks ago I was so embarrassed I had just thought of the perfect way for a story to end which was really sad and I was driving home crying my eyes out and my kids are all like “Mum… are you ok”. Think I completely freaked them out. I always think about taping my ideas on my voice recorder on my iphone but that hasn’t happened yet.. I wonder how many ideas I’ve had that I’ve lost by the time I get home???
Jules, I carry a notebook and pen with me everywhere. It’s always filled with bits of conversation, different scenarios in which Edward could swipe Bella’s panties- you get the picture.
It comes in the bathroom with me when I shower…
♥
I guess I’m in the minority on this one. Generally, once and idea runs through my head, it stays there. Last February when I got the idea for Supernova, it was around 9pm at night. I called Saluki to talk to her about it, and the next day I started writing. While it did veer off the original idea, I am shocked to look back over the original “outline” and see how close it stayed to the original.
I was about halfway through writing Supernova when I got the inspiration for Finding Forever. I wanted to write it so bad, but I am the type that can only work on one big project at a time. So, I “shelved” Finding Forever until about 2 weeks after I finished Supernova. The detailed idea stayed there for 4 months and waited patiently for me to finish what I was working on.
Even now, when I get some weird idea for something in my story, I just file it into slot A in my brain and it stays there. I guess I’m lucky in that regard (or unlucky, seeing as I currently have no less than 4 stories up there swimming around, fighting for dominance).
Now, if I could only remember where I put my phone…
I carry a notebook at all times, I even sleep with it beside my bed. When I write, it all goes down long hand as a first draft.
Now sorting through the notebook to find ideas from months or years ago is another issue altogether.