I’m not sure whether this happens to other writers or authors, but it happens to me. After weeks of writing regularly, I seem to go into a period of not writing so much, when life or something else takes the center-stage.
At such times, though I’m not really adding to any long or short work, perhaps hurriedly scribbling down a few things before I go back to whatever has priority at that moment, I’m still writing in my head.
By “writing in my head” I mean I’m kind of sub-consciously working out a plot point in my head, or letting a turn of phrase buzz around my brain and inspire a scene, or letting my eye absorb details that would one day come handy. I empty my head of thoughts, and while a part of me is working at something (usually physical, like laundry, or going out on an errand), the other part is in a trance, dream-writing.
I have come to believe that a writer is a writer even when he or she is not writing at that moment. I have learned to make all my writing downtime into a preparatory for my regular writing, when all the dream-writing lights off sparks on my real page. Which is why I was very happy when I read Natalie Goldberg in Writing Down the Bones, because she describes exactly what I do:
“….right before you are planning to write, a good preparation is to become an animal. Move slowly, stalking your prey, which is whatever you plan to write about, no matter what else you might be doing at the moment–taking out the garbage, walking to the library, watering the garden. Get all your senses intent. Turn off your logical mind–empty, no thoughts. Let your words come from your belly. Bring your brain down to your stomach and digest your thoughts. let them give nourishment to your body. Have a round belly, like Buddha, breathing all the way inside. Don’t hold in your stomach. Be patient and measured. Let the writing percolate below the level of thought forms, in the subconscious and through your veins.”
Do you dream-write as a preparatory to your actual writing?
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10 Comments so far
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Yeah, this happens to me. Whenever I work out, my mind leaps automatically into thinking about writing – I think it’s something to do with having blood flowing to a brain that’s got nothing else to do (since I don’t watch TV or anything while on the machines). I’ve had some of my favorite ideas while on the elliptical trainer.
It happens when I have a repetitive task, too, or basically anything for which I’m busy but my brain isn’t.
[Reply]
By Anica Lewis on 10.20.09 8:49 am | Permalink
I’m the exact same as you!
And yes, a writer is a writer whether he or she is writing or not.. Most definitely.
Writing Down the Bones is one of the first books I ever read about writing. My copy is rather tattered.. Great book!
I’m Always writing, no matter what I’m doing. And I love it!!!
[Reply]
By eden on 10.20.09 9:22 am | Permalink
I always work out the scene in my head before I write it down. I usually have the whole book somewhere in my brain as I write. For me, it’s like rewinding scenes from a movie and replaying them, tweaking the little details or reworking the conversation as I go. It’s easier with my eyes closed than staring at my computer screen.
[Reply]
By Jaleta Clegg on 10.20.09 5:27 pm | Permalink
I could not have said it better myself!
.-= Lis Garrett´s last blog ..crazy writer dreams =-.
[Reply]
By Lis Garrett on 10.20.09 5:58 pm | Permalink
Thank you so much for quoting the book “Writing Down the Bones” What a great book and made me think I need to go out and get myself a copy to reread.
[Reply]
By KC Klein on 10.20.09 7:39 pm | Permalink
Totally, I do this all the time! I mean, I can’t not do it…This is what keeps me from sleeping 50% of the time!
Ha ha!
Go figure.
Ceylan
.-= Ceylan´s last blog ..19 October 2009 =-.
[Reply]
By Ceylan on 10.20.09 8:01 pm | Permalink
I’m so glad to know I’m not alone in this.
In the beginning I used to think I was crazy.
.-= damyanti´s last blog ..Meme : Save Yvonne’s Sight =-.
[Reply]
By damyanti on 10.20.09 8:03 pm | Permalink
I play out scenes in my head when I’m cleaning house, cooking, driving, and listening to music. It’s these scenes that first give me ideas for my books and I play with them in my head and rework them over and over before I put the pen to paper.
[Reply]
By Annarkie on 10.21.09 12:40 pm | Permalink
Nope, not crazy… I do this all the time too. I do a lot of “dream writing” on my hour commute to work. (now if only the lovely scenes in my head would come out on paper when I get home from work! too bad you can’t write and drive.
)
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Genre Confusion (or: It’s okay to write YA!) =-.
[Reply]
By Jen on 10.21.09 12:41 pm | Permalink
I can never stop writing. Whether it’s on paper, computer, or in my head. It’s always there. Plotting is almost always going on in my head, no matter what else I’m doing in life.
[Reply]
By Sarah on 10.23.09 12:25 pm | Permalink
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