by Andy Scheer
Where do you do your best thinking?
Yesterday morning, I had no idea what I’d write next. So I visited my idea place. In less than ten minutes, I had the kernels of three things to write.
At the same time, I took a shower.
I don’t use a special idea shampoo. But for as long as I’ve been writing, it seems my best ideas come in the shower.
For as long as I’ve been writing, my best ideas have come in the shower.
Once the idea arrives, I dry off quickly so I can jot a few notes.
Maybe the secret is to occupy yourself with a short task that allows your mind to roam elsewhere. Agatha Christie said, “The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes.” That’s never worked for me, perhaps because I hand wash the pots and pans only in the evening, and I’m more of a morning person.
But my second-best idea place is in bed, as I try to fall sleep. It’s my best place for titles and opening sentences. So I keep paper and pens on my nightstand to record those for the morning.
If you’ve not yet discovered your idea place, I hope you will soon. Whatever yours is, there’s no place quite like it.
