Meg Dowell Writes

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12 Thoughts You’ve Probably Had While Trying to Come Up With an Idea. Any Idea.

1 OK. I’m just going to sit down at my computer. An idea will come to me if I do that. Right?

2. No? Great. I should try listening to my favorite song.

3. Oops I listened to it on repeat five times. I still don’t have any ideas.

4. A walk! I should clear my head with a walk.

5. I never made it past the couch. Can I write about that? Eh.

6. I’m not hungry. I’m not that tired. I don’t think at least? what is wrong with me?

7. I should just start trying to write something. Anything. But I … can’t.

8. I will literally write about anything. I JUST NEED ONE STUPID IDEA.

9. Oh look a cat video! Oh look another cat video!

10. ARGH. I thought that would help. It did not.

11.`Why does this even happen? How am I supposed to get any writing done when I can’t think of anything to write about?

12. AHA! I CAN WRITE ABOUT NOT KNOWING WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT. MISSION COMPLETE.

Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is a staff writer with The Cheat Sheet, a freelance editor and writer, and a 10-time NaNoWriMo winner. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food and nerdy things.

Help Novelty Revisions become a more valuable resource for aspiring writers. Join us on Patreon.

Responses

Obinna Anyaibe

Dec 8, 2018

This is hilarious. Even more hilarious that I can relate to all twelve thoughts 😂

Reply
1. Meg Dowell
  
  Dec 9, 2018
  
  Hahahaha every. single. one. I love it!
  
  Reply
Libby Sommer

Dec 8, 2018

what about the intimacy of pen on page? hand, pen, page. hand moving across page catching first thoughts, but quickly, not stopping, no editing for 10 or 20 minutes. great way to tap the right side of the brain, the creative side, before bringing in left side editor.

Reply
1. Meg Dowell
  
  Dec 9, 2018
  
  My high school creative writing teacher called this exercise stream-of-consciousness writing. He’d make us take out our notebooks and write for a set number of minutes. The rule was that we were not allowed to stop writing — you had to keep your pen moving even if you had to write “um” for a few lines until you had a thought. I still journal on physical paper and it’s what centers me. I highly recommend it for anyone who is feeling blocked. :)
  
  Reply
  1. Libby Sommer
    
    Dec 9, 2018
    
    great. that’s exactly what i meant. :)
tracikenworth

Dec 9, 2018

Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide.

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bigskybuckeye

Dec 9, 2018

Thanks for sending me a smile and a laugh. The ending was so much fun!

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