Thread: How much time do you spend thinking about writing?

There are some days when it seems I can't think of anything other than my current story and other days I can't get it to stay in my head and still other days when I wonder why I do this to begin with.

This makes me crazy.

My best thoughts come to me when I am at or in places where there is no possible way of recording these brilliant flashes of insight, such as in the car when I forgot my tape recorder or in the shower where it is virtually impossible to jot things down using body wash. And sometimes even if I do have that recorder the thought in my head doesn't replay as well when trying to get it on tape. Someone ought to invent a mind recorder.

I wonder if I should just start my breakdown now or wait until 2012...

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completely unrelated but I must confess that I love that I am tagged an "Ink Blot". I wish I had thought of that for a screen name. I'm sure it's temporary but it makes me smile just the same.

I think about writing as much as I think about eating and in the same fashion. Writing, for me and most people who enjoy writing, is just as nourishing. I have to admit, though: I am not a seasoned writer. I write for therapeutic purposes in the form of a journal and I write as a hobby and there isn't anything formal about it. I am so in love with writing and how it makes me feel, I think about it all of the time. Writing is always on my mind. I can turn anything into an essay with creative writing and I am always wondering how. I'm always looking for a lesson that can be taught creatively and writing is the best method to convey the simple connections I make every moment.

Cat Waxing~ Behavior the author undertakes to avoid working on the Work in Progress. E.g. "I've mowed the lawn, washed the windows, weeded the garden, scrubbed the toilets, cleaned the bugs out of the lights, and worked out all my menus for the next three months. Guess it's time to ... wait! How long has it been since I've waxed the cat?"

I have the same problem, in an even wilder variety of circumstances. The way I see it, if the idea is really good, you'll remember it. If you forget it, it can't have been that good. Anything really good I get I write on a post-it note, which helps me remember both good and less good ideas.

I think about it enough. If I'm nearing the end of a story, then I'll start really thinking about what I could write for my next one, and I get so excited to finish one and start the other. I think about what I should write for the next chapter after I finish one, and sometimes when I'm in the middle of writing one as well.

Originally Posted by Bloggsworth

Cat Waxing~ Behavior the author undertakes to avoid working on the Work in Progress. E.g. "I've mowed the lawn, washed the windows, weeded the garden, scrubbed the toilets, cleaned the bugs out of the lights, and worked out all my menus for the next three months. Guess it's time to ... wait! How long has it been since I've waxed the cat?"

"I've checked my e-mail, spent an hour so reading through all the forums asking "how do you feel about" questions about writing and how other writers feel, and begun a few "how do you feel about" question threads of my own. Guess it's time...wait! How long has it been since I checked my e-mail?"

If you're spending a lot of time on forums social networking, no wonder you have time to "think" about writing. I use the forums for tips on promotion, publishing etc., except for the rare times I...Hold it, I'm in a
"how do you feel about" question thread, aren't I? Never mind! I'm going to get back to writing my latest novel. See ya!

JohnB

Originally Posted by WriterJohnB

"I've checked my e-mail, spent an hour so reading through all the forums asking rhetorical questions about writing and how other writers feel, and begun a few rhetorical question threads of my own. Guess it's time...wait! How long has it been since I checked my e-mail?"

If you're spending a lot of time on forums social networking, no wonder you have time to "think" about writing. I use the forums for tips on promotion, publishing etc., except for the rare times I...Hold it, I'm in a rhetorical question thread, aren't I? Never mind! I'm really going to get back to writing my latest novel.

JohnB

I'm pretty sure the OP doesn't count for the times you're on the forums...

All day, every day. Even while I'm sleeping, pretty much.

Originally Posted by Dramatism

I'm pretty sure the OP doesn't count for the times you're on the forums...

Nope, I don't. Nor do I count forum time "wasted" because it offers me other writers to talk to and different points of view and some laughs.

I think about writing often. I text myself on my cell phone anything interesting that pops into my daily life.. sights, ideas.. funny things I hear people say in conversations.

If I can't remember it or record it somehow, I just let it slide. Ideas are great but the real value is in how they are applied.

You sir (OP) remind me of myself. Personally whenever I'm sitting down at my computer or with a paper and pencil I can never quite seem to focus on my ideas, but whenever I'm driving, on a hike, at work, or something in the like I can't seem to think about anything else. Most days it's to the point of obsession (or so i tell myself).

I find that I spend more time thinking about writing far more than I spend actually writing - regrettably. I have all sorts of ideas but for some reason when I find the time to actually write *poof* they're gone. I try to take notes if I have a chance but they never seem to convey what I was originally getting at somehow. Or, I'll start something and scrap it. Then, start something else and scrap it. Maddening. I suppose it's not so much a matter of motivation as it is a matter of persistence. I hope to jar something loose at some point.

Truthfully I don't spend much time thinking about writing at all. Only when I sit down to write, usually. Although sometimes, when I've written something I'm not satisfied with or gotten stuck on a certain part, I'll think about it while I'm doing mindless tasks such as cleaning hamster cages, testing fish tanks, giving a bearded dragon a suppository--you know, the usual.

But really, if I'm pleased with what I'm working on, I don't think about it until it's time to do some more work.

About the physical act of writing? -- I tend to avoid thoughts of unpleasant subjects when I can.

About my fictional mileu and trying out scenes and deciding where I'm going to take my characters when I gather up the courage to open up yWriter and tackle that blank screen? -- Almost all the time, even when I'm at work. Especially when I'm listening to music.

All the time for me, I wake up to dialogue in my head. Go to sleep thinking about what's going on in the story I'm working on.
If I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing, about plots and action, characters and everything else.
Everything I see or hear is judged by the standard thought...can I use this in a story?
My kids are almost afraid to talk to me anymore. LOL