Zany Ideas That Increase Writing Productivity And Quality

by Erin Banister

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Welcome to the zany ideas of a productive writer. My
students keep reminding me of my unusual tools and how
helpful they have been for them. I also thank my students
for their concept testing and refinement. Now, I feel much
more confidant about sending them out into the world.

For the next few minutes let your imagination run amuck.
Okay, amuck is a little too far out there, so what about
allowing an open mind for the time being. Afterwards, you
can let your mind ruminate.

My office has a beautiful “u” shape ash wood desk that I’m
proud of. Partially due to its price and uniqueness. It is
here, I handle my emails, pay bills, read, coach, and edit
there. Yet, I had difficulty setting the ground work for my
writing. Tasks like creating first drafts, deciding on the
major points, or creating a table of contents. Because of
this I usually seek another environment that sparks these
efforts.

Probably like yourself, I found my best ideas arrive when
I’m in the shower, when I first wake, while driving, or
while walking. Just to name a few. Let!/s take a short side
trip, I want to share with you how I capture my thoughts
during these light-bulb moments.

While walking I use a tape recorder on an adjustable camera
strap around my neck. Voice activation and the mike pointed
up towards your chin are musts. To start recording all you
need to do is tuck in your chin and begin speaking. I say
my name first usually because the first one or two words get
lost while the recorder!/s activation mode kicks on. Heavy
breathing or puffing, since it goes forward and not down,
usually does not activate the recorder.

In the shower, I use a pen I purchased while visiting NASA
in Florida. It can write in extreme temperatures and
underwater. A grease pen works well if you don’t mind
writing large. It is also cheaper. Add a diver!/s under
water board and you’re ready.

For driving, I use the same method as I do for my walks.
Normally the engine noise will activate the recorder if left
on the seat. That is, unless you have a car that is
perfectly quiet inside.

Okay, side track over, back to zany ideas.

During the day I found myself playing musical chairs when
writing. At home and in the office. My lounge chair in my
bedroom was right for personal journaling. Early outside
sunrises was for new inspirations.

My living room recliner was good for brainstorming from
reading. For writing personal development topics, the left
seat of the couch next to a very large scenic picture window
is the place. For long how tos, it was the dining room
table or a specific McDonalds. I don’t know if it was the
smell of grease or the acoustics that lit a fire under my
pen.

The library and its smell of old books make me tired and
snoozy. Sometimes my mind felt too vibrant and jumpy with
all the possibilities and paths open to me.

Do you like to stare out the window? Me too! I have an
awesome view from my wall-to-wall office window. I use to
think day dreaming on a topic wasn’t productive but have
found the openness feeling brings in expansiveness to my
writings. As long as I’m not sitting at my desk while
staring.

What can you do when you need to spark the imagination and
you have already taken a shower? Do you take another? What
about driving? With gas prices jumping skyward who wants to
drive just to spark the creative bug.

Here are a few ideas on how to solve:

Buy a miniature waterfall to recreate the shower feel. Or
use a sound devices that imitates a rambling brook or rain.
Place it carefully where you want to fuel a particular type
of muse. Turn it on, close your eyes, and place yourself in
the shower. Toss some water on your face before hand if
that helps. One of my clients, turns on the shower, sits in
the bathroom for a few minutes to kick the process in, and
then she moves to a chair.

Instead of driving, sit in the car with your left hand on
the steering wheel, close your eyes, and imagine the
movement, holding a pen in the right hand with paper
balanced on your knee or on a board. If you are returning
home do this after you have parked. The movement of the car
will remain.

Some of these may be zany for you, some not. Spark your
imagination, try new and different things. Try them at
least three or four times and adapt to what feels right for
that moment. Your writing productivity and creativity is
sure to double.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Catherine Franz articles appear in thousands of magazines, books and newsletters on nonfiction writing, life and marketing. Monthly newsletters. Visit the Abundance Center for more info:
http://www.abundancecenter.com

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