Never Not Working

For as much as I have praised working at a specific time, training your brain to think during a given period, I also have to add another component to that equation. Your mind should never not be working.

I've alluded to this idea before. I've talked about how ideas come at all times during the day and that I keep paper with me to write them down. This shows that the mind always is working, even when you aren't trying to make it work. I think you should take that to the next level.

If you're working on a story and you don't have everything planned out, you don't need to be staring at a blank piece of paper or a computer screen just to come up with ideas. Do something else, occupy that part of your mind that is freaking out because you aren't getting anything done. Fold your laundry, sweep the floor, even go out and play some bowling or mini golf. Your mind will be figuring out the story while your body is doing some simple activity.

If you do feel like you need to actively think about these ideas, then do it. Just realize that there are many opportunities to do so. Are you driving somewhere? Talk to yourself while you drive, especially at red lights. You walking around? Put back the iPod and take out your idea sheet. Staring at the ceiling or floor while eating your lunch? Figure out what could be going on.

Even if we don't write every day, we should at least be thinking about our writing, getting it planned, writing it out in your head. If you gt enough planning done in your head, sitting down at your writing station is merely putting down what you've already written out in your head. You look super efficient at writing when you do it, too.