I take a few road trips every year and I always use that time to flesh out ideas for writing. Most of my travel is on 4-lane highways and cruise control can handle 99% of the trip, so it's a great chance to go on auto-pilot and think.
This last weekend was no exception. I was making a presentation about Wikis to my writing group in Minnesota, and I already had that info somewhat ready to go. I maintain a wiki for my big series, and I wanted to share what I had learned about setting it up and maintaining it. I had a handout, presentation, and all that ready, so I didn't need to "practice" it as I drove. That left me free for creative thinking.
I am in between projects right now. I have ideas for 2 books, so I spent the 8 hours of drive time exploring thoughts about those projects. I dictate into a little digital recorder then transcribe when I get to where I'm going.
I now know the basic plot ideas for one book, details about the characters, their back stories, and their motivations and arcs. I tabled the other story for now and will save that for a brainstorming session with friends, coming up in October.
Not bad for a boring old road trip, right?
J L
(jayellwilson.com)
7 comments:
Um...what's a wiki? I know Wikipedia, Wikihow...all those Wikis. But what do you mean about maintaining a wiki for your big series? And congrats on time well spent!
Um...what Leah said. I wonder too. I love the way you make good use of every moment you have. We could all learn from that. No down time for you. Way to go.
I need wiki info too. I have a system for series but I'll bet yours is more efficient. I drive 2 1/2 hours every 2-3 weeks to see my mom. That's when I do most of my writing in my head. Good creative time.
I just did an 8 hour road trip each way. But it was on 2 lane roads (had to avoid the closed freeway due to yet another CA fire), and I spent all my time plotting how to pass slow moving trucks and RVs on an undulating road. Hmm... Maybe I should have taken 9 hours and plotted my WIP instead! Way to use your time productively!
Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't know what a wiki is. Your road trip sounds very productive. Good luck with your new story.
My how differently I'm wired. Like Jannine, I'm concentrating on driving...not so good at multi-tasking I guess. And get this: if I'm trying to fall asleep at night, I think about my novel's characters. Boom, I'm gone. Heavy sigh...I want to grow up like JL.
I love road trips but like Rolynn I can't multi-task--must concentrate on driving. And, yes, what's a wiki?
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