The magic of ideas
Where did the idea come from? How was it formed? And why is it that ideas arrive in different stages of formation? Some seem to arrive fully developed, with depth, colour and complex detail. Others are totally rough and might serve only as a springboard to other, better thoughts that follow.
I remember reading that Harry Potter arrived as a complete and fully developed character in J. K. Rowling’s head. Yet I’m sure that other, equally popular books took the authors years to come up with and refine.
No one seems to have found a way to control when and how ideas pop into our heads. And it seems to be different for each person. Some people might feel inspired in nature, others might need a crowded and noisy environment. Some people may need absolute solitude and a period of rest to be open to ideas, whereas others might find that the ideas come when they’re busy and occupied with a totally unrelated project.
As a creative person, I’m totally reliant on my “idea generator”. I’m lucky that - so far - it’s never let me down. I haven’t yet worked out the magic way to attract the most amazing ideas when I want them.
But I have noticed a couple of places that are best for encouraging inspiration. Here are my personal favourite spots for ideas:
1. In bed at night
I’m sure that practically everyone can relate to this. Lying in bed, with the light off, waiting to fall asleep. Suddenly you’re seized by a brilliant idea! It could be anything: a concept for a book, something you need to tell someone, an idea for the perfect birthday present, the list goes on. However, the result is always the same. You lie there thinking through the details and implications – often with detrimental results on your sleep.
These days I keep a pen and paper ready next to my bed to note down things that occur to me in the night. Recording them in that way usually helps to stop them swimming around in my head. Perhaps it’s because I know that they’re safely captured on paper and so I don’t feel the need to hold them in my mind any longer.
Still, some nights seem to really open the floodgates. I’m besieged by idea after idea. Some of my best poems were written in the middle of the night. I don’t know whether the dark hours are more conducive to the emotions and insight that’s necessary for poetry? Or could it simply be that lying down increases the blood supply to my brain? (Note to self, try this strategy with tricky translation assignments)
2. In the gym
It’s truly amazing how many brainwaves or flashes of genius have hit me in the gym. I don’t think the surroundings have anything to do with it. It could be the increased blood circulation and stimulation that comes with exercise, but it could also be the very fact that my brain has time to rest and simply float.
I’m a very antisocial gym-goer. I hate interacting with other people when I’m working out. To me it’s a very private experience, just me and my body. I concentrate on the physical sensations and when I get lost in the exercise, it becomes almost a state of meditation. I’m focusing only in a physical sense, so my mind is open to whatever thoughts might occur to me.
That still doesn’t explain where the ideas come from, but we might have to declare that as one of the mysteries of the universe!
Where do you get your ideas? Do you have any favourite spots for inspiration? Have you ever experienced an idea-shortage? And what did you do to solve it?
Thanks for reading! This is an original post written for Steemit by @Victoria-Kelly.
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