Tuesday, January 31, 2012

What's Popping?


Ideas pop into my head all the time.  On the way to work, when I'm playing with my cat, even when I'm trying to fall asleep which makes it really challenging because I then have to choose whether to wake up enough to write the ideas down or hope that I will remember them in the morning.  They will even pop up in the most unexpected places...like the shower...where I don't usually hang a notebook to write down those ideas, so I have to do the next best thing...




You know what I mean.  I have to keep chanting those ideas to myself in the hope that they hang around long enough for me to dry off!  Then it's time to grab to a notebook and write that idea down...but wait!  Here comes another one!


Maybe I should take up meditation where I work on emptying my mind of all thoughts.  I wouldn't have to worry about keeping pen and paper handy.  I wouldn't be slipping on the bathroom floor in my mad dash to write those ideas down.  At last I would find my "inner peace" and not have to deal with all those pesky ideas popping into my head all the time.


But wait, you say.  Aren't writers supposed to be eager for those ideas? Aren't we SUPPOSED to be full of ideas?

Yes, we are. Writers' careers depend on the nonstop flow of new thoughts and ideas popping up all the time.  To create stellar work depends on stellar ideas and it's up to writers to not let them get away.  It's just that sometimes in our rush to write everything down we don't actually take a moment to simply breathe.  To slow down long enough to be able to know which ideas are worth keeping and which ideas might bog us down and prevent us from actually writing.


So while I try to hold on to a touch of serenity during my hectic writing moments, I still have my butterfly net ready for the next idea that zings past me.  Pop on, ideas, pop on!



14 comments:

  1. I love the idea of taking the time to mull over our ideas and let them marinate!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I run them through my head until I get it right, then I write them down. Thanks for stopping by, Annie, and come back any time!

      Delete
  2. Ideas aren't the problem, Donna - you've got it right (or, write?). It's the finding time to sit down, write them, and mull over them that is truly important. Or else there goes another great idea. Thanks for the post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree completely, Miranda! I get up at 6 am every morning just to get some writing time in before I head out to the school. Most days I will be there until at least 8 or 8:30 and then when I get home I try to grab another couple of hours to write...or check emails...or read blogs...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  3. There *is* a kind of notepad that's designed for writers to use in the shower -- that's apparently a place a lot of writers get good ideas!

    Savoring the ideas while keeping the butterfly net handy. Good thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Somehow, Beth, I don't think that would work for me. I worked at a Real Estate office that had a phone in the bathroom (back in the 80's) and we were expected to answer the phone if it rang...no matter what. I can just say that it wasn't my thing and I didn't stay there long...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  4. I know the feeling! Ha, my brain often feels like that popcorn popper. Oof!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Hannah, but isn't it fun watching all the new ideas pop!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  5. I get the same way.I get ideas poppnig in my head alot when I try to sleep(and even in the shower).It would be good to have a pen and paper glued to your hand...but we all know that's not possible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Cassandra, and thanks for stopping by! I probably need to invest in a mini cassette recorder and just talk to myself all day. Or maybe do like romance writer, Barbara Cartland, use to do and hire me someone to just follow me around and write it all down. By today's standards her writing would be considered "fluff", but during HER time she was one prolific writer...probably wrote 300 books or more during her writing career.

      Have a great day and come back any time!

      Delete
  6. You always select the best pictures to accompany your posts. So perfect. I'm one of those people who writes ideas down if it's convenient, but if it's not, then I expect they will either stand the test of time or not. If I forget the idea, then it was forgettable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahhh, I wish I wish I had your retention skills...;0)

      With so much for me to remember these days I do best to remember to write thing down...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  7. Wow! I am just getting around to catching up with the blogs and all the emails..... now I have laptop...will write, and catch up...lol.
    I have a problem with ideas popping up while in the car. Keeping notebook handi, helps. Thanks for reminding us Donna.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane, I'm so glad you've got your shiny new laptop and are back online! I think all serious writers have notebooks lying around everywhere to catch all those pesky ideas popping up everywhere...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete