I’ve noticed that my best ideas rarely appear when I’m sitting down trying to write. More often, they show up when I’m out walking, reading something in a book, hearing a line on TV, listening to music, or even in the middle of a conversation with someone. It’s like the spark happens when my mind is relaxed and paying attention to the world instead of forcing creativity.
It made me curious about other creatives.
Where do your best ideas tend to show up?
Is there a place, activity, or moment when inspiration seems to find you the most?
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Kat Spencer, I love this question because it’s so true that creativity rarely shows up exactly when we demand it.
For me, some of my best ideas tend to appear when I’m doing something completely unrelated to writing, walking Rupert, cleaning, listening to an audiobook, or even just doing something routine that lets my mind wander a bit like cleaning. When my brain is relaxed and not trying to force a solution, ideas seem to connect in really interesting ways.
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Mine are almost always born of errant thoughts or words lol. Sometimes images. It’s really hard to nail it down to a science, but basically all of mine are the results of happy little accidents, as the great Bob Ross would say.
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Since childhood, I’ve had a very active imagination. I used to spend hours doing what I called “imaginary playing,” where I’d act out entire scenarios in my mind. A lot of it was inspired by whatever I had just watched on TV—Pokémon, Power Rangers, you name it.
No need for toys, no need for props. All I needed was enough space on the floor of my room and a running box fan to muffle the noise so I didn’t bother my parents. I’d conjure up a scenario and act it out. In my mind, I could see everything, hear everything.
And honestly, I never grew out of it. I still do it throughout the day and every night as I’m drifting to sleep. This mental playground has sparked some of my best writing.
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Very often my best ideas come when I farthest away from the keyboard. A change of scenery, fresh air, and some focusing on something else all help uncloud my creative headspace before the next keyboard tapping session.
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Kat, I carry a voice recorder and head up the mountain on foot or on horseback. Raising your heart rate clears your head of unnecessary thoughts, clearing the way for story solutions. jim
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Wonderful responses, everyone! Thanks for taking the time to share.