We all know the feeling. We could be going about our daily lives, doing nothing out of the ordinary when suddenly it happens. What triggers it could be any number of things: something we hear on the radio, a dream, or simply the workings of our subconscious mind. Whatever the cause, inspiration can strike anywhere anytime, and it’s up to us as writers to be prepared when it does.
So what do we do when a brilliant idea just strikes out of the blue? The answer, as with so many things in life, is to strike while the iron is hot. Now, rarely will we be in a position to act on our inspiration right away, and this may not be the best route to take anyway. Instead, write down the idea at the first opportunity you get. Personally, I try and keep at least one writing pad around at all times, whether it be at my desk, in my pocket, or by my bed to keep a dream journal. The more tech savvy among you may prefer to rely on electronic devices for saving ideas, but I tend to find pen and paper much quicker and more efficient myself.
Whatever your method, once you’ve got your idea down, the key is to expand on it as rapidly as possible. Even if you won’t be able to actually sit down and focus on a project right away, you should at the very least do as much outlining and worldbuilding as you can while you’re in the zone. Maybe even write out some of the more vividly developed scenes in your head, if you’re so inclined. Just do something! That feeling of inspiration won’t last forever, as I have often found out, but if you get the most out of it you possible can while it does last, it can make the process much simpler when the time finally comes to put it into effect weeks, months, or even years later. So as I said before, strike while the iron’s hot, because you never know when that little inkling could turn into the next bestseller!
By the way, for those in the area, I will have a vendor booth at Harry’s Hay Days on Main St. in Grandview, MO on Saturday, May 3rd (weather permitting). Hope to see you there!