Work-in-Progress

New JournalWell, the brainstorming began in earnest this week. It was reading week, no classes, and my marking was finished last weekend, so no excuses either.

I kept a promise to myself and made sure that I found white space to create in. No cellphones, no computers, and CBC’s Espace Musique playing softly in the background. (I like listening to radio in French because I can’t understand much of what anyone is saying, so even the conversation washes over me with its own music.) The programs’ music choices are such a pleasure to listen to and never, ever boring.

And I’m pleased to say that all that white space worked! I bought a new journal (no suprise there to those who know me) and made a point of sitting with it every day until something emerged that resembled a story idea. I managed to come up with about 5 ideas that had a beginning, a muddle, and an end, and a few more with just beginnings and muddles but no endings–yet. I live in hope. 🙂

Of course, there is a lot of scribbling in my journal, too. Lists of places I’ve been, or places I should probably research, and settings of books I’ve read or am reading, anything really that I could think of that would keep the pen moving until something emerged. Last week, poet Patricia McGoldrick, suggested white paper and coloured markers and mind mapping. I’ve finally cleaned off the surface of my desk sufficiently to actually try that, so that’s my challenge this weekend. (And, also no surprise to my friends–I already own at least 2 sets of markers and more than enough paper. Please tell me that there are other writers out there who enjoy visiting Staples as much as I do!)

How do you brainstorm story ideas? Agatha Christie said she got her best ideas while washing dishes. I hope you find lots of creative ideas for your own projects that will keep you writing for a long time to come.

4 thoughts on “Work-in-Progress”

  1. GREAT post! I look forward to checking out the music. However, living in France and would probably get caught up in the lyrics. Mozart works for me much of the time. Yet sometimes I crave Ravel… 🙂
    It seems as you have been hovering over my shoulder as there are too many muddles some days.

    Reply
    • I’m a big fan of writing to Mozart, too, but some of Rachmaninoff brings me to a halt because the music is so beautiful. Espace Musique plays quite a lot of jazz, so there is music in English, as well, but not enough to distract for long. Enjoy!

      Reply
    • Okay. I’ve actually thought of that–seriously! I never write on the first page or two, so that when I open the cover of the notebook, the first page isn’t spoiled by my scribbles. Yup, that’s how bad it is. 🙂

      Reply

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