I seem to do my best thinking during extended car/bus rides (as a passenger), or right before I go to bed. When/where do you think best?
I'm often most productive in the early morning or late night. (I've been known to wake up at 3AM to write, as well as stay up that late.) I can come up with ideas pretty much anywhere, but I can only effectively write in my room --or at least where I can be 100% certain that no one is looking over my shoulder.
When I was in high school, I sometimes daydreamed to think of new ideas for my book, but when I was not in school it was either during the night or right after watching a good movie. That instantly makes writing a lot easier, especially if you were suffering from writer's block before.
Early-morning speedwalking through the woods. Nothing like it to blow the night's cobwebs away and bring clarity to the day.
I have to be sitting down writing to come up with the details, but the nice juicy plot-points always show up when I'm doing something completely unrelated. The two biggies so far have been while showering and while folding towels at work.
You think that's bad... I have a total of... I think 45 posts on this forum now. I think all but two have been posted from work. This is a great place to get ideas though, for whatever reason.
My personal favorites best thinking places/times: * at church: for some reason, my mind always wanders when I'm in church services; I've come up with some of my best scenes there, none of them having anything to do with religion * on the train: so many people and things to take in every day, not to mention there's nothing else to do but sit/stand and think about random what-ifs * on the toilet: probably has something to do with the time spent sitting, doing nothing (well, technically it's not fair to say I'm doing nothing, but... you know) * during a movie: I usually get a few scene ideas from films, but it all dissolves the moment the credits rolls; it's a pity I don't consciously retain any of it * early morning / late night: I don't even try to start writing after 10 or 11PM if I have somewhere to be in the morning because I know I'm gonna be pasted to the keyboard until 3AM; it's a bad problem best writing places: * in my room: I can't write with people standing over me, near me, or around me; a solitary, enclosed space is the only way to go * on the toilet: same as the above; I often bring my laptop in there and type away
I also tend to have many cool, weird ideas when travelling on a bus or train. I just like to think away and be taken away from the mundane vehicle im in. When im going for a walk i like to think and get many ideas and possibilities that way too, there's something about being out in the elements or in an environment like a storm-hit forest that helps liven the imagination xD
I can't really think of a time or place when my thoughts/ideas seem to come more easily. I guess it's just random for me. *shrug* I don't leave the house much (terribly shy) or take buses or trains so... I get all kinds of inspired when reading about the subjects I like to write about, and when visiting the particular area I write about, but getting inspired is different from actually writing. (And I can't really write when I'm tromping around woodland trails on an island.) I find that I start to think about my stories more at night, before I go to bed, which is unfortunate since I can only make time to write in the morning! :redface:
There is no pattern for me as to location or time of day, but there is a direct correlation between how much reading I am doing and my creativity. I finished three novels in the past two weeks and my writing has increased, completing two more chapters in one of my current manuscripts.
Mostly on the bus or when watching a film. Usually whenever I've come up with what I consider to be a good idea by the time I actually get to somewhere where I can put the ideas down the ideas have gone. I very rarely get a good idea when I'm sat at my computer ready to write.
I couldn't say. I used to say that it was in the local coffee shop, but lately it just seems to come in fits and spurts. I do a lot of good thinking when I drive as well, or when I spend time in the mountains.
When I'm tired is when they usually come. But I agree with Stephen King. They can come at any time. Just be ready for when they do.
My Top 5 Best thinking places/times: 1. Procrastination (Whenever I don't feel like doing homework) 2. Sudden Inspiration (TV Shows/Movies/Cartoons essentially, anything regarding media) 3. In the Shower (I somehow manage to stockpile a few ideas concerning characters; while I'm in the shower... -Kind of Weird-) 4. In a Library (Nice and quite) 5. Dreams (I don't include any nightmares)
Usually I'll get inspirations right before bed. It's a very odd habit. But, hey, it works. And if I read something fantastic or watch something truly inspiring, I just have this urge to create the best piece of work I possibly can. That's when the ideas start to flow.