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| Relaxing with a book--my favorite way to be idle |
He even cites research on how the half-asleep time is one of the most fruitful times for thinking and being creative. (Now there's a good reason for sleeping in on the weekends.)
This got me thinking about when I’m most creative and
hands-down, I get my best ideas when I’m idle. Our yearly trip to the beach
(when I’m completely unplugged), long car rides, laying in bed on the weekends,
not quite ready to get up, are all times when I’ve gotten epiphanies about plot
holes or characters.
I can think of ideas at other times, but the thoughts I have
when I’m idle are more creative and more out-of-the-box than the ideas while
plugging away at a manuscript. It’s like my thoughts are unleashed.
So perhaps as writers we should also make sure to “do
nothing” in addition to all that time in our chairs, staring at
screens.
What do you think? Are you most creative when you're idle?
Writers (and all artists) are different from some other workers in that part of what we do is dream up things. I suppose it looks very much like being idle to someone who makes widgets for a living...
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point. I remember getting chided as a child for staring out the window and "doing nothing." But we need to daydream in order to create.
DeleteYes, you're probably right -but unfortunately, writers often also have day jobs! I do find that space and rest around my writing time really helps, though, wen I can manage it :)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. This is sort of the ideal, but not my regular life. Most of the time I'm squeezing in writing when I can. I'm just noticing that when I'm on vacation or I'm able to do nothing for a bit, the ideas come more easily.
DeleteFor me it's either shower time, when the kids can't disturb me, or when I'm falling asleep. My pillow is my outlining board. =)
ReplyDeleteLove "my pillow is my outlining board"! I know what you mean. It's hard to find time when the kids are not around for me too. Nap time used to be the "golden hour", but they're too old for that now.
DeleteShowers are great thinking places too!
If doing nothing works, I say go for it.
ReplyDeleteI get my best ideas when I practice my guitar. My mind is free to roam then.
Interesting that the guitar works for you. There's something about having your hands busy, but your mind free that seems to be good for ideas.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Alex!
I do my best brainstorming in the car. There's something about driving to me that's relaxing. And I do a lot of thinking about my stories when I first get into bed and sleep hasn't quite came calling yet! =)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, driving is great for ideas! The only thing is that I need to be kidless, so no one talks to me. :)
DeleteDon't think I've slept in for years. I get most of my ideas while I'm cleaning house or being creative in another way - painting, crafting. Sometimes I wish I could allow myself to just be idle once in a while. Maybe I should pick up Hodgkinson's book.
ReplyDeleteI get ideas when I'm cleaning too. I think it's having your hands busy that lets your mind roam. I'm a morning person, so I rarely sleep in, but after reading Hodgkinson's book, I feel less guilty about staying in bed a little longer on the weekends.
DeleteI've read some interesting articles about morning people and being creative right after waking. I'll have to look for that idle instruction manual you mention!
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Interesting! All the more reason to sleep in at times. :) Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne!
DeleteI do get ideas when I'm idle, but I also get them when I'm busy doing something that doesn't allow a free hand to jot down the idea. I need to strap a tape recorder to me, but I never do. :-)
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me what Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is? I saw the badge on your blog. I love reading and writing stories for middle grade, so I naturally noticed the badge.
I just signed up to follow your blog, and it's nice to 'meet' you.
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by, Debi!
DeleteMarvelous Middle Grade Monday is a meme hosted by Shannon Messenger. Bloggers post on Monday about a middle grade book they enjoyed.
I'll just point you to her blog, because there's more info there if you want to be part of it: http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/
Hi Jenni, it'll be interesting to pick this book up. Some of my ideas do show up when I'm idle, or watching TV while freewriting. I suppose I'm most creative when I am not consciously creating something, like freewriting and doodling (and definitely off the Internet).
ReplyDelete