The Germination of an Idea

Starts. It seems this is the name of the game these days. I come up with an idea I feel has merit. Start the manuscript, sprinkle in a few other ideas, see which way it may go, and then let the dust collect on it. I've started so many stories over the last few months, but only one has come to fruition as a complete PB. I am quite excited about this story and have high hopes, but I am stuck trying to figure out how to be better at developing the seed of my other ideas into a complete story.

September brings a new month, a new start, and I am re-energized to be productive and develop the fresh ideas as they come. An upcoming SCBWI conference should help fuel the fire as well.

I would love to hear your strategies for productivity and what helps you see an idea through to completion should you be inclined to share.

Enjoy the long holiday weekend and happy writing!

Storm of Ideas

Ideas, ideas, everywhere. Find them here, find them there.

As I am doing the Storystorm challenge this month and striving to come up with 30 ideas in 31 days, I've been thinking a lot about ideas and trying to notice everything around me regardless of where I am and what I am doing. I realized today that this is no different than usual. I am just being far better at writing down my ideas before they escape me than I am in other times of the year. I find myself making notes in my phone or asking someone to text me a thought if I don't have a way to write it down or make a note in my phone. It seems to be working thus far.

I've proven to myself time and time again, regardless of what I think at that given moment, I am incapable of remembering the idea later regardless of how good I think it is. Ideas are but a flitting thought in and out for me most times. I usually do think I will remember the idea or the spin I think would be fun to explore but rarely do if not noted. Therefore, I am going to make a concerted effort to continue to make physical notes of any ideas that pop up throughout the year, not just in January, regardless of when and where they hit. 

I don't know about you, but it does seem, more often than not, the times the best ideas hit are those with the least chance of having a pen or phone to jot them down...in the shower, while driving, etc. I end up talking to myself, repeating over and over whatever thought popped into my head, until such time as I can write it down. Guessing there are many that notice and giggle at me talking to myself, but such is life.

How about you? Where do you find your best ideas? Don't forget to notice everything and everyone around you. One never knows what will pop into the mind when allowed.

Happy idea generating and writing to you!

Explore Your Idea Environment

In the spirit of all the posts and comments I have read recently about ideas being everywhere (which is absolutely true), I thought I'd share this quote.

     "Every person that you meet knows something you don't; learn from them."  H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Well, hello? It stands to reason that if ideas are everywhere, the people around us are surely part of that equation. I work with children and always keep my ears open for story ideas as, so the saying goes, "out of the mouths of babes..."  So often, however, I find myself looking at things for ideas--the shape of the clouds in the sky, the beautiful sunrise or sunset, the antics of animals, the sounds in the environment, etc. There are so many unexplored ideas and story possibilities in those we encounter each and every day not to mention the new information gained to shelve away in our brains for future use just by listening and participating actively in communicative exchanges. I am going to do a better job of being open to really hearing those ideas and new information when going about my daily activities and communicating with others and see where it may lead. It will certainly broaden my horizons, so my mother used to say.

So, pay no attention if you finish up a conversation with me and turn to wave good-bye only to see me typing frantically on my phone or scribbling away in my notebook.  I'm just jotting down any thoughts as you go:)