That's it. I've discovered the secret.

Judg · Feb 3, 2008

Napping.

Or at least lying down. It seems to me that so many of my problems with my MS get resolved when lying in bed trying to sleep. This evening I lay down for a bit of a nap and sure enough, my brain was fingering the dilemmas like worry beads. And as I lay there, officially working on a nap, *poof* solutions popped up. I didn't get much sleeping done, but now I know what kind of changes I need to make in my world-building.

I think from now on, I'm going to do all the thinking parts on my back.

"What are you doing?"

"Working on my novel, what does it look like I'm doing!"

KTC · Feb 3, 2008

I find that as I'm falling asleep at night and supposedly thinking of nothing...this is when all systems start firing at once. Pre-sleep. I don't think I'm thinking about my WIP, but obviously on some level I am because all these answers come to me...all this stuff I want to write down and examine fully. I jot down stuff...but I don't fully realize them unless I actually get up and write them all out in full... it's almost like waking out of a dream and forgetting it as you engage with the day... you have to write it down before you engage or it's lost. For me, at least. But, yes... I agree. This is a really productive time for me. I suppose it's because all else in my brain is quiet?

Danger Jane · Feb 3, 2008

I figure stuff out when I'm near sleeping, but sometimes...forget it. Lately I've been shelving and organizing at the public library and I've figured out quite a few plot points while shelving. The rhythmic actions sort of put me into a meditative state, and things fall together in my mind.

I intended to think things over at yoga today, but with thirty people in the class, all I could think about while we meditated was how much carbon dioxide was in the room.

jannawrites · Feb 3, 2008

Judg said:
...

I think from now on, I'm going to do all the thinking parts on my back.

"What are you doing?"

"Working on my novel, what does it look like I'm doing!"

ROFL!

Yeah. Like my husband would let me work if that's the position I had assumed...

TMI? My apologies.

Thrillride · Feb 3, 2008

jannawrites said:
ROFL!

Yeah. Like my husband would let me work if that's the position I had assumed...

TMI? My apologies.

LOLOL! No kidding! My hubby would just ask me to multi-task!

mada · Feb 3, 2008

Thrillride said:
LOLOL! No kidding! My hubby would just ask me to multi-task!

And then get mad when you listened to him and DID multi-task! LOL

jannawrites · Feb 3, 2008

mada said:
And then get mad when you listened to him and DID multi-task! LOL

Touche'!

Judg · Feb 3, 2008

LOL! Come on, he can't be hanging around the house ALL day! Yes, I know. Little ones. That is no longer my problem. You'll just have to join DJ at the library.

JeanneTGC · Feb 3, 2008

In the shower. I kid you not. Any plot issue is fixed while showering. I use a lot of water, but it's worth it.

Judg · Feb 3, 2008

On your back, at the library, in the shower...

If I tried it in the shower, I'd keep forgetting what I was supposed to be doing in there.

jannawrites · Feb 3, 2008

Judg said:
On your back, at the library, in the shower...

If I tried it in the shower, I'd keep forgetting what I was supposed to be doing in there.

What is it we're talking about again?

Judg · Feb 3, 2008

Inspiration, Janna, inspiration! The solving of problems, the resolving of conundrums.

Sheesh.

Pat~ · Feb 3, 2008

jenngreenleaf · Feb 4, 2008

You guys crack me up!

Seriously, though, I agree with the point of this post. When my mind is quiet and I'm attempting to relax, I accomplish a lot of the problem solving I can't accomplish when I'm in the moment.

Brighid · Feb 4, 2008

I love doing it in the shower! Brainstorming, that is.

Many answers have come to me there - I think it has something to do with the steam. . .When I'm really stuck, I find myself thinking about it before I fall asleep. Being relaxed and without other distractions, what I need (plot point, character, etc.) will usually pop into my head.

jannawrites · Feb 4, 2008

CaroGirl · Feb 4, 2008

Walking. Outside. Generally fully clothed and dry.

I get lots of ideas, both for new stories and solutions to problems with old stories, while walking. And you can't beat the health benefits (mental and physical)!

willietheshakes · Feb 4, 2008

That's just crazy talk, Caro. Health benefits? WTF?

Call me old-fashioned, but I tend to stick with drinking coffee and smoking as the two best stimulants for inspiration...

CaroGirl · Feb 4, 2008

willietheshakes said:
That's just crazy talk, Caro. Health benefits? WTF?

Now, willie, let's not argue in front of the children.

willietheshakes said:
Call me old-fashioned, but I tend to stick with drinking coffee and smoking as the two best stimulants for inspiration...

Fine, but I hope you do both of those fully clothed, if you're in public, that is. At the very least, cover the naughty bits.

JoNightshade · Feb 4, 2008

Whenever I get really frustrated with the WIP, I take a nap. And it usualy helps.

I can do the shower thing and I also do housecleaning, but walking outside doesn't help me at all. I get too distracted by everything going on around me, the trees, the wind, cars, people, etc. My thought process goes thusly: "Okay, somehow I need to get Sam thinking about-- oh! A squirrel!"

JeanneTGC · Feb 4, 2008

willietheshakes said:
That's just crazy talk, Caro. Health benefits? WTF?

Call me old-fashioned, but I tend to stick with drinking coffee and smoking as the two best stimulants for inspiration...

Sometimes, you just have to go with the classic -- alcohol.

It may not inspire me, but it sure helps me get out of my own way.

HeronW · Feb 4, 2008

I've been reworking plots before sleep for decades, which is why I twitch alot...think paranoid thoughts, and have a family coat of arms that ties in the back. :}

maestrowork · Feb 4, 2008

I take a lot of naps. I love naps. And now I have a great excuse for taking more naps.

Susan Gable · Feb 4, 2008

maestrowork said:
I take a lot of naps. I love naps. And now I have a great excuse for taking more naps.

I'm with Ray. Well, not literally. I mean, we're not napping together. <G>

Naps are absolutely the answer to a writer's problems. <G>

I have one book that I wrote the majority of on my alphasmart in my bed. I'd lay down for a nap and have it right by my side. I'd fall asleep pondering and watching/listening to my characters, then wake up and grab the alphie and write the scene.

In this office, I have a twin mattress right alongside the desk. I tell people it's for when my son is sick, which actually IS the original reason I put it in here -- but now it's for my inspirational naps. <G>

Ahhhh, what a job, where a nap is an acceptable part of the process. <G>

Don't bother me, I'm WORKING here. <G> Yep, that's what you tell them when they ask why you're having a rest.

Susan G.

icerose · Feb 4, 2008

I think a lot of these things get the forcing out of the way. Rather than trying to force a solution your brain is free to pick through the problems and find natural one. At least that's the problem with me.

When I overthink something everything comes to a screeching halt until I can get myself out of the way as Jeanne said.

That's it. I've discovered the secret.

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