This is not me. My dog was more beautiful
Since exercise is so beneficial for everything else, why not in writing a novel’s scene?
As I drove home from the gym yesterday, I was mulling a tricky scene I needed to write. I couldn’t figure out how to pull it off and the more I thought about it, the more discouraged I became. As things stood, I’d need to write far more about the Spanish influenza than I wanted to and I’d have to write yet another chapter to finish off the loose ends for the entire book–we were at the penultimate chapter, now.
But all that exercising must have sent blood flowing to my brain and I suddenly saw how to do it, easily, simply, in conjunction with what had already happened and without having to write another chapter.
Eureka!
I’ve noticed this before, the advantage of taking a brain for a walk–exercising the rest of the body and getting the blood moving while the brain sorted everything else. One spot in particular near our house was often a place where elements of the story came together and I could “see” the entire scene.
That was the advantage of having a dog–I had to walk her and my brain (usually) came along as well.
Since I walked in a deserted neighborhood, I could work out–by speaking aloud–almost all the dialogue. By the time I got home, all I had to do was type it into the computer. Voila! Another scene done.
Maybe it’s not exercise but increased blood flow to the brain? Click to Tweet
This IS the inspiring shower!
Don’t you get all your great ideas in the shower? Click to Tweet
I’m not sure how many times I’ve figured out a knotty problem in my writing while taking a shower. Just last week, I burst out of the flowing water, threw on a robe, scurried to my computer and wrote notes for everything I’d invented while washing my hair. I had to call my walking partner and ask for a short reprieve while I wrote the new scene.
It was a good scene.
No water in it.
I’ve written before about the need to take a break from a project and to allow the “boys in the basement” to work out plotting issues.
I have writer friends who gather to brainstorm their stories together. I envy them.
For me, it’s just God and in the good old days, my dog: thinking, plotting, contriving, examining and marveling at the twists of a story line.
As the long as the blood flows to my head, we’ll keep it up.
Where do you get your best ideas, whether you’re writing a scene or just living?
I don’t listen to the radio or music for the most part when I am in the car. This is my quiet, meditative time…ME time.
And I’m sure you get brilliant insights while you’re driving. One of mine (while out of radio range) changed my life. 🙂
If I need help I pray for the Holy Spirit to give me guidance. That means I may be in various places when I am given creative thoughts. If I am exercising I will be riding my stationary bike and reading so exercise bike is not the place. A solitary walk might work, but I have not wanted to walk alone much for personal security reasons. I think it is a great idea to have a special place as you suggest. I will give it more thought.
I’m not sure you need to have a place, Janice, I was laughing more at the fact the Holy Spirit speaks to us in so many different places! Even with a cat sitting on our lap!
Like you, I do some of by best thinking in the shower.
Such an efficient use of time and water, don’t you think Susan? 🙂
I am very interested about the one particular place where ideas seem to come to you. I’ve collected some notes on that phenomenon vis-a-vis creative endeavors.
Well, it’s either the shower or the car. I don’t have a dog to walk anymore. 🙁
I get most of my ideas when dealing with the dogs, or at night when I can’t sleep.
Not the shower – I’m still acclimated to oil-drum showers, where you pull a rope to soak yourself, lather up, then pull the rope again to rinse.
If there’s still water.
Not much time to think, but did you know that diesel residue is good for the skin?