Sometimes when I get stuck, I love to go on drives to relax my mind and let it wander.
I actually never had an idea for an original novel until last spring. I’d only ever written fanfiction up until
that point and figured original ideas were for the real pros and I was only meant to play with other characters. But then I realized two things. One, that’s bullshit because if you’re writing fanfic you’re still telling a story! Two, I actually came up with an original idea that gripped me while I was on a five hour drive for work!
I spent that whole drive wide-eyed while my mind leapt from one idea to the next about these characters that crept into my mind. It was the first time in a looooong time I’d ever seriously considered picking up a dream I set aside years ago. I actually almost cried because I was so excited. Also, because I’m a big, emotional, hot mess express haha.
The funny thing is, ever since I admitted to myself I did want this, wanted to be an author and tell my stories, the original ideas have been flowing nonstop! I’m sure at some point they’ll slow down, after the initial feelings of “holy shit I can do this and this and this one!” wear off. For now I keep getting random ideas and scrambling to hammer my thumbs on my phone’s keyboard or write them down on whatever piece of paper is closest to me.
The mind works in really weird ways when you have a mental block, but sometimes those imaginary walls can be pushed over with the slightest touch of a feather. If this is a thing that happens to you, then try going for a walk or a drive to clear your head! Come at what you’re working on from a different perspective.
Leave a Reply