How to Capture Writing Ideas Without Derailing Your WIP
A piece of advice I took to heart early in my authorship career was to focus on one work in progress (WIP) exclusively.
I discussed this in my Medium article, "How to Capture Bits of Brilliance That Your Muse Whispers in Your Ear."
I cannot remember where I found this advice or who gave it to me, but it was horrible for me.
Essentially, what I did was not start writing any other idea, telling myself, “No. You must finish Plainfolk before you start any other story.”
Combine that admonition to myself with the idea that any idea that’s good will come back to me when I need it, and I had the best possible recipe to stop my muse from popping in for a visit. She stayed away from where she was no longer welcome.
Sigh. What a hard lesson to learn.
Vaccinate Against Writer’s Block
I’m all for not making a mistake when there’s a process to help you avoid one.
That’s why I’m sharing my step-by-step process for capturing writing ideas (I call them brilliant bits) with you that won’t stop you from completing your WIP.
It may even vaccinate you against that dreaded writer’s block we all hear about and some experience on a regular basis.
It took me four years to find a better process. Now you can use it to help avoid those same mistakes.
Three Pieces of Wisdom
Before I give you my list of techniques to capture brilliant bits, I want to share three pieces of wisdom:
First, take to heart this bit of knowledge and hold it close: there are as many ways to write as there are writers.
Second, don’t quit. This is a universal tenet from all published authors.
Third, I assure you that whichever way you use is the right way – for you.
Techniques to Capture Ideas
Here’s a list of techniques to capture brilliant bits:
Use small pieces of paper.
I collect the envelopes that I get in the mail and open them up. I cut (or tear) them into pieces and place an alligator clip on them. They are generally about three inches eight inches (8 cm X 20 cm).
I store them in several locations throughout my home. That way, I have paper ready for a grocery list, a note that I need for an appointment, and a piece of paper that’s available for jotting down my brilliant bits.
The muse started popping in at various times of the day, and these pieces of paper captured those brilliant bits.
Categorize the ideas
Write a working title at the top of the paper, along with date and time – after you’ve written those brilliant bits and your muse is finished
If you have more than one piece of paper per idea, number each piece
Grab a piece of paper for each new brilliant bit your muse whispers
Staple together your brilliant bits for each idea
File those brilliant bits
The file can be something as basic as a box you pick up from the liquor board store that has the dividers still in it.
The box I have and continue to use has nine sections.
Label each section with the working title
Store your brilliant bits in the appropriate section. The backs of envelopes-sized paper fit perfectly.
Freewrite
When the muse taps me on the shoulder and whispers in my ear, I grab one of those small bits of paper and start writing.
Write the words you hear (or think about) and don’t edit; just write. Please, just write. I promise you that your muse will stop instantly when your editor steps in.
Grab a new piece of paper and transcribe those thoughts whenever it’s for a different story, blog post, or project. That’s why you need many pieces of paper clipped together so you have them at the ready.
Sometimes, one idea is all your muse wants to share. Sometimes, she is full of ideas for all kinds of projects, and you’ll fill many pages.
Your writing process should fit you, not the other way around. It would thrill me to hear about your process to capture those brilliant bits that all writers have.
Join the discussion on what your process is to capture your brilliant bits by leaving a comment. I read them all.