One of my dog’s favorite pass times is to wait by the window and watch the movements in the neighborhood. She will bark at the rabbit that hops about and alerts us to the UPS man who puts his foot on our door step.
In many respects I am like my dog because I entertain myself by watching and waiting for an idea to appear at my front door. At those times I am waiting for that special moment where all the puzzle pieces go together.
It is after five minutes I give up and go back to smashing my head against the keyboard. But when I get distracted by going to the coffee shop, biking with my kids, or puttering in the garden an idea will appear without hesitation.
I find it is when I’m looking out the window that I feel lost. I am waiting for something but can’t put my finger on it. It is at those moments I am just like my dog waiting for something to happen instead of taking action to make it happen.
Does an idea just magically appear at your doorstep? Or do you take action to make it happen?
I am one of those people who would go out and look for it … I don’t wait around. Someday, an idea would pop up in my mind … someday I just kept on tying and somehow the light bulb would light up eventually …
I love it when the light bulb turns on without struggle. I am terrible at just forcing myself to write it feels like I’m listening to crickets…
I sometimes have a difficult time writing. In fact, there are times that I am ashamed of how I wasted the time rather then if I had just started writing nonsense. UGH. I feel your pain!
I know exactly how you are feeling! It so tough! Sometimes procrastination is wonderful and other times our own worst enemy!
I’m usually in the shower (far, far away from my computer and/or a writing utencil). Sadly, much like my dog I have a serious deficit when it comes to my memory (the only thing he seems to retain from moment to moment is his disdain for the UPS guy) so ideas in, ideas out . . . .
Hahaha! I am the same way! I have taken to keeping a sticky note pad and pen in my purse. It helps to jot down just a word even to help my memory
If I sit at the keys, there are always words. However, I feel like when I lay down at night, all the characters I live with companionably all day, tumble out onto the pillow. Then, they start shouting at each other. What am I supposed to do with that? It makes sleeping very difficult. I tend to stay up so late that if they fall out of my head, they’re too comatose to talk to each other. That is better for all of us.
Your stories must be full of life! Once the characters take over they make the page light up
I hope you get a good night’s rest soon!
Aaaw, such a cute doggie pic! As I’ve been told many times by others, I’m an idea person. I have lots of great ideas, but it’s usually the follow through with which I struggle!
If procrastinating wasn’t so much fun, I’d be much better at it!
Thank you! She is the heart of the family
I’m an expert in the field of procrastination and am very good at it. I wonder if their is an award for that? Hmmmm.
Just when I think I don’t have anything to write about, something happens or an idea jells. I have been fortunate that I haven’t had a dry spell. I do find it helpful to keep writing topics down. One day they look like they would make a great blog post and the next day they are boring.
Haha! I do the same thing! I have a list of ideas that I go too. But sometimes I look at a word I jotted down and can’t recall what it means….I guess I should start drinking fish oil
Both. Sometimes an idea floats into my head unannounced. Other times I go out & search for one. Either way is okay with me since I realized that my mind works in two different ways– and that I need to be ready for whatever it throws at me.
My mind works in mysterious ways and sometimes life throws us some fun doozies
I suppose much of the time inspiration just happens. A random thought, or something I see or read takes root and I tuck it away for later use. But sometimes I have to dig deep and really make an effort to get something going.
Wouldn’t it be great if all ideas were effortless?
unfortunately for me, it normally appears when the day has gone quiet – which means kids abed, and often husband too. so it is late, and I should also be in bed, but my mind is on rapid fire. I may receive little nuggets of glory throughout the business of the day – which I try to write down immediately – but it normally all comes together between the hours of 10 pm and 1 am.
my writer’s mind is at war with the mommy who takes the day shift
I know the feeling
It is amazing how my mind wanders the minute I’m exhausted and ready to sleep. Sometimes a little silence is all we need to get the creative ideas flowing 
Ideas usually pop into my head unbidden, like when I’m in the shower or driving down the road daydreaming. (Except paying attention to traffic conditions, of course. I would never let my mind wander to that extent).
Of course
Ha! – I usually have to WORK at it:) Have a Wonderful Weekend – Great Post:)
Thank you! Keep it rolling! And have a fantastic weekend
There you have it. Next time you stare out the window, lost… chase the mailperson (but don’t bite.)
hahaha! I do like a man in uniform ;O
Well, if I can remember to leave that darn door open maybe the ideas can float right in! I don’t really know…some days ideas just show up and knock and other days…waaah!! I think I’m like your dog too on those days!
LOL! Wouldn’t it be great if the door would just open itself?
I think the worst time to get an idea, which happens most of the time, is at night, when it is quiet in the house and I am trying to get my sleep. That is when all those idea lying dormant in head want to come to life. And then I lay there wide awake, until I am forced to slip out of bed quietly and put my thoughts down on paper. Sigh!
Have a great weekend, Darcie!
~Virginia
I know the exact same feeling! Lately, chammokile tea and sleepeze have become my friend just so I can get to sleep at night
I hope you have a great week!
If I may, chamomile tea sounds good for sleep, but I would probably still need to add a couple of big shots of, say, brandy! lol!
LOL! I’ll take a single malt scotch on the rocks
The ideas never come to me, instead almost always opting to allow me to come to them. Insufferable lazy bastards…
LOL! They really are!
Ideas kind of just hit me in the face… but only when I am not thinking about them. (and my best ones usually come when I am in the shower). If I do try to think up a solution to a problem or come up with something creative I get crickets…
I hate the sound of crickets. It frightens me!
My dog does the exact same thing! I get my best ideas when I’m not even thinking about anything in particular, just sort of stream of consciousness stuff. Well, at least I think they are good ideas, anyway
Always good ideas
We will have to arrange a playdate for our dogs! I bet they would make great friends.
I love the picture of the dog ,of course. I always think thyey know more about whats going on than they let on. As for ideas, I’m one of those people who reacts to things that happen by looking at how they affect the things around them. So the sight of someone dropping their sandwich, and seeing someone else pick it up for them because they walk with a stick sets me off thinking about conduct and society for instance. I’m more of a reactor than a fiction writer, or thats what the IRS tell me
Thank you! I’m always tempted to dress her up as Napoleon she is exactly like him! Short and bossy!
I like the idea of a reactor it’s funny how one small occurrence can shift our own thought process and makes us connect the dots from point a to b.
-That is sooooooooooo precious! …. xx
Love this: sometimes I am the dog, looking out of the window: and sometimes I’m the one in charge of an idea. Depends on the flavour of the day
Lovely picture, Belle!
Thank you Kate! I feel the same way sometimes
Right now! I feel like rainbow ice cream.
Good question. I think it’s a bit of both for me. Sometimes I wait for the lightning bolt, other times, I go out for a walk in search of inspiration.
I find when the lightening bolt doesn’t strike a lovely walk is the next big thing
I love the photo of your dog! sometimes they appear and sometimes I summon them! :p
I love it when they appear!