1. Callire

    Callire New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2009
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    In a dorm room somewhere near you...

    Where/When do you do your best thinking?

    Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by Callire, Jan 29, 2009.

    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?
     
  2. Acglaphotis

    Acglaphotis New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2008
    Messages:
    912
    Likes Received:
    3
    Working out at the gym.
     
  3. Mello

    Mello New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2009
    Messages:
    61
    Likes Received:
    0
    the shower!!
     
  4. Mercurial

    Mercurial Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2009
    Messages:
    3,451
    Likes Received:
    116
    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. :p
     
  5. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,885
    Likes Received:
    3,395
    Location:
    Boston
    Either bus or right before I go to sleep.
     
  6. S-wo

    S-wo Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2008
    Messages:
    350
    Likes Received:
    15
    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.
     
  7. architectus

    architectus Banned

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2008
    Messages:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    15
    Location:
    Ca
    This sounds strange, but some of the best ideas have come to me while sitting on the toilet.
     
  8. Cheeno

    Cheeno Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2008
    Messages:
    594
    Likes Received:
    11
    Location:
    Ireland
    Early-morning speedwalking through the woods. Nothing like it to blow the night's cobwebs away and bring clarity to the day.
     
  9. Unsavory

    Unsavory Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2009
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Eugene, OR, USA
    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.
     
  10. hysteria

    hysteria New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2008
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Brisbane
    at work... shhhhhh :)
     
  11. Unsavory

    Unsavory Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2009
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Eugene, OR, USA
    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.
     
  12. AnonyMouse

    AnonyMouse Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Messages:
    2,332
    Likes Received:
    392
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    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
     
  13. Corpsetastic

    Corpsetastic Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    129
    Likes Received:
    0
    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
     
  14. tehuti88

    tehuti88 New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2008
    Messages:
    641
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Michigan
    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:
     
  15. Etan Isar

    Etan Isar Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2007
    Messages:
    1,177
    Likes Received:
    32
    in bed or anywhere I can daydream easily and with few distractions.
     
  16. bitraker

    bitraker New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2009
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Connecticut
    when writing, even when I hate writing - writing is thinking...


    <<br>>
     
  17. NaCl

    NaCl Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2008
    Messages:
    1,853
    Likes Received:
    63
    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.
     
  18. Myers

    Myers Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    Messages:
    52
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Manchester, UK
    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.
     
  19. flashgordon

    flashgordon New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2007
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    1
    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.
     
  20. Lemex

    Lemex That's Lord Lemex to you. Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2007
    Messages:
    10,704
    Likes Received:
    3,425
    Location:
    Northeast England
    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.
     
  21. xmollyx

    xmollyx New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2009
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Canada
    While going for a walk by myself, but mostly while listening to music.
     
  22. Jack

    Jack New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2008
    Messages:
    479
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Canada
    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)
     
  23. kyle777

    kyle777 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2008
    Messages:
    81
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    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.
     
  24. dthomas

    dthomas New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    I don't seem to get anything creative done before 11pm...usually at ol' reliable (desk).
     
  25. RomanticRose

    RomanticRose Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2007
    Messages:
    490
    Likes Received:
    17
    Location:
    New Mexico
    Sunrise jogging
    During yoga workout
    Talking with the spousal unit
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice