I ran this morning. My usual 5K route around the neighborhood. I know a serious runner would probably call my 12 minute/mile pace jogging rather than running but I read somewhere that you should be able to hold a conversation while jogging and since I’m gasping and wheezing like a broken bagpipe, I call it running.
Anyway, this morning I did what I usually do while I’m running…I wrote. Sort of. I was working on the sequence of events in a section I’m currently re-writing, playing with the order, looking for flaws in the logic. This is something I can’t do sitting at the keyboard. When I’m typing (or writing on paper), I get wrapped up in the words, in how I want to say something. To work on plot, structure, logic, etc. I need to walk away. Or run. How about you? Where do you do your best thinking?
I’m currently enjoying: Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams
Quote of the day: The pessimist may be proved right in the long run, but the optomist has a better time on the trip.
12 comments:
Ironically, my best thinking comes when I'm doing something brainless like washing dishes or weeding.
I guess it frees the brain to wander and imagine.
Weeding! Yes, that's another good one. There always seems to be someone in the kitchen when I'm washing dishes so that doesn't work as well for me.
I do my best thinking when I'm quilting.
Really? I thought quilting would take more concentration. But then, you already know my level of expertise in areas of sewing.
It's mostly when I'm doing the hand piecing or binding. If I'm machine stitching, not so much except when I take a break.
It's amazing what the hands can do while the mind is occupied elsewhere.
The shower, most definitely, but I also get good ideas on my drive to or from work (since it's about 30 minutes). Once, I got so involved into my story I missed my exit (to work, not home - I think that's on autopilot). Hopefully I won't do that again!
I got a little tieclip mic for my voice recorder so I could think out loud while I drive, but I do the same thing - getting so involved with the story I forget what I'm doing. Which is why I don't listen to audio books when I drive. Same problem.
Linda, I used to do the recorder thing years ago when I walked to work. It was so funny later to listen to the heavy breathing when I transcribed.
Showers work wonders for me too, but the best for me is talking it through with a friend. Something about retelling it to her helps me to see things I missed.
Sadly, washing dishes helps too. I had a major brainstorm while washing them tonight. I think it's that running water thing.
Good for you on the running.
Mary,
I used to take the dogs with me when I walked and it would crack me up to hear my comments to them mixed in with the dictation. Now she has arthritis and he has a failing heart so I walk solo.
Was it a good brainstorm? Sometime mine seem great until I pick them apart a little, then not so much.
Thanks on the running. I'm determined to get my old pudgy body back into some sort of shape. It's a struggle. :-)
Definitely an evening walk, preferably after dark. I have solved more problems and come up with more ideas in this mode ... aimlessly wandering the neighborhood. Plus it's good for me!
Do you think the "after dark" part is a factor?
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