The book sounds like it’s worth reading. Thanks for the extracts.

For notes I usually carry around a small notebook. In the last year I have usually gotten my ideas whilst out walking – especially if I’m pushing a pram and the youngest has fallen asleep – that sudden transition into tranquility is quite a trigger!

I’ve been reading “Artful Making: What Managers Need to Know About How Artists Work,” by Rob Austin and Lee Devin. They have one chapter where they write about the necessity of “release” for creative work to happen. I used to take Yoga with a lady who would lead us through meditation and say, “If you are trying to meditate and thought pops up in your mind, give it some brief notice, then put it away and focus on your breath.” They are about the same I think.

I’ve noticed that I tend to have the most release when I take a shower so that’s subsequently when I have most of my ideas. Following Austin & Devin’s advice, I have placed some paper and a pen on the sink next to my shower so when I get out I can write my ideas down. This seems similar to the note card suggestion. I’ve heard somewhere that Steven Spielberg actually keeps paper in his car because he has his best ideas when he’s driving (hope he waits for a redlight before jotting them down.)

I have found the negative inner voices hampering my writing at most times. I am struggling to write a post of 600 words for 2 weeks now for reasons that escape my mind. This reminds me of the Lizard’s Brain which Seth Godin talks about in one of his posts. Here is the link: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/01/quieting-the-lizard-brain.html.

I am done reading first chapter in the book ‘Weinberg on Writing’ from Jerry Weinberg. He says ‘Never attempt to write anything that you don’t care about’. This rules seems to work for me.

Happy Writing,
Parimala Shankaraiah

I never look backward in the notebook, just whatever on the top page is what I need to be reminded of right now.