Writing Mentally, Not Physically

 

Today's poster will probably make you smile, but there is truth in it and something to ponder. 

Writers could be classified as daydreamers because of all the writing thoughts swirling in their minds. When they have a blank look and walk through crowds, not acknowledging others, they aren't being rude. They're most likely thinking about a work in progress, one that is not finished. Or perhaps, they are suddenly getting a story idea and are pondering on same. 

Writers can sit at a concert, hearing and appreciating the music, but also working out a story idea. I did exactly that while attending a symphony performance one evening many years ago. The music seemed to open the door to the story for me, and the short fiction was published after going through the actual writing process.

If you see a writer in the grocery store aisle, and he/she passes by, he/she is probably deep in thought about a writing project. Writers write mentally sitting on a bus or commuter train, at a ballgame, or while waiting to see a doctor or dentist. Writers acquire the ability to pay attention to two things at once. They have active minds that concentrate on more than one thing at a time. Occasionally, the story idea might take precedence, and the writer is concentrating only on it. 

Writers can be writing in their mind while doing rote household tasks. When I iron, which happens less and less, my mind is free. The same with unloading the dishwasher. Or dusting the tabletops. Our hands are busy, but our minds are free to think about our writing. And many other things, too.

Once we have a story idea, we don't always run to the computer and begin the first draft. Instead, we ponder the idea in our minds for days, even weeks, before ever starting to write that all-important first draft. 

There are times when we can't come up with that very important first line. Instead of staring at the computer screen, we try out several in our minds. When one appeals or feels satisfying, then it's time to hie ourselves to the keyboard and tap those keys to see the sentence in print rather than in your mind. 

So, when you see a writer away from the keyboard, out in public, know that they might be writing, just not typing. It's a matter of writing mentally, not physically.