As a stay-at-home mom of four small kids (aged 7, 6, 5, & 4), I rarely get time alone to myself. Even though I've written a bunch of books and I'm writing even more, hardly a paragraph goes by before I'm either interrupted by loud noise, or suspicious quiet. I think I'm more afraid of the silence, to be honest. :P
The times I get to brainstorm are few and far between, from dragging young kids to Karate class three times a week, to doing housework, homeschooling, errands, bills, and spending time with my hubby. Not to mention actually writing. And promoting. **sigh**
I've found my best times for brainstorming are in the twilight moments just before sleep, and when I find solitude in the shower. :) A lot of writers need a notebook by their bedside table, but I don't. I usually remember my great ideas before I nod off, and if I'm lucky, I'll dream about my ideas and have a plot in the morning. I love it when that happens.
That happened to me with my B*E*A*S*T* series. I'd dreamt of a man who could shapeshift into a tiger and we were on the run from . . . somebody. When I woke up, I knew that was too good an idea to pass up, so I started to flesh it out a bit with the who, where, what, and why questions. And yes, I did a lot of my further brainstorming in the shower. :P
But after I made this world of men who'd been genetically altered to become shifters, I knew I had a whole SERIES idea, and everything just kind of snowballed from there.
If you write books, poetry, or short stories, where do you brainstorm? I'd love to know I'm not the only one with a penchant for hot water in my face. :D
~~Becka
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Comments: 5
If you have not done so - just before you go to sleep define as accurately as possible your 'problem' of the moment. Then consult your personal unconscious for all the help you can get. Then if you have a dream look to the contents as a possible clue to your problem resolution. If there is no remembered dream be aware of the first conscious thought, perception, feeling what have you upon awakening. Consider it (or them) as a clue(s) to problem resolution. The more you do it the better the results. Good treasure hunting.
I admire you for not letting 4 kids and a husband deprive you of your talent and time for writing. I remember when my kids were small, I thought I would have more time when they became older. However, I have learned over the years that regardless of their age, kids and a husband still require the majority of your time. *smile*
***And for all you readers out there I have read the first book in the B*E*A*S*T series and it's great. I can't wait for #2 to come out next month.
Good Luck Becka!