When you get an idea, dear author. . .

When you get an idea, dear author. . .

Ideas. Those terribly beautiful things that come, light up your heart, and fly away — if you don't pin them down!

Two kinds:

I know of two kinds of ideas: the ideas that come to add to an already existing idea. And the ones that are totally new — you hadn't been thinking in that line before but hey, they're worth pursuing!

For the first kind, the ideas that land on an already existing thought or work, let's say you've been brainstorming on this book, thinking of the best way to approach Chapter 2. You've been running through different ideas. Then it hits you! “Ah, yes! I'll start with recounting that tale. It will provide a logical, practically gripping flow into the point I want to make in that Chapter!”

An idea.

You just got an idea.

For the second kind, the ideas that are entirely new, imagine you're driving to this meeting where you'll be giving a speech. Your niece had said she wished she could come along and listen to you. It hits you: “I can have the speech transcribed!” You had never ever thought in that line before. “That way, not just Doris, but as many people as desire it can access it!”

See? A strange, beautiful, appealing thought just occured to you.

Whatever kind of idea you get, however, will fly away if you don't pin it down.


Pinning options:

The following, my dear author, are how you pin down the writing ideas that come to you. So you don't forget them. So you can develop them further.

— As soon as it hits, grab your phone and make a note, or a voice recording.

— Immediately send an email to yourself, describing the idea and the next action points.

— Grab a friend and make them listen to you. Talking cuts off the wings that could have made that very idea fly away. As for your friend, it's not your fault they're friends with a wordsmith. They chose friendship with you, now they must listen to you brainstorm.

— Yank off a sticky pad and scribble on it. Then stick it where you'll see it often. Fridge. Laptop. The back of your phone. Around your car keys! Don't, my dear author, allow that notepad go missing. Don't let it out of your sight.

— Be like my lovely friend, Clementina Oniwaiye , who can set the coolest of reminders. Set yourself a reminder: “By 8 PM, think further on XYZ.”

Do you know the greatest pin you could put on an idea? Process it.

What's the point of noting it down if you won't think further on it, if you won't give it time and attention? Sit and think it through. Stare out your window and think that idea over.


When you think it through. . .

Three things happen when you think an idea through:

— You decide it's usable, and develop it further.

— Or you decide to discard it.

— Hey, thinking one idea through may even lead to another idea!

How do you keep yourself from forgetting those bright ideas that come to you during your busy day? How do you keep them from flying away? Pin them down. So you can process them at a cooler time.

That's it! The whole point of this article.

Cheers, dear author.

Brought to you by Brown Patience. A ghostwriter and editor.

Ayomide Ishola

Creative Writer | Author | Social Media Manager | Passionate about telling stories that resonate with people | Let's connect.

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