Nocturnal Emissions Are a Writer’s Best Friend
Let your creative juices flow, even if it wakes you up
I couldn’t sleep.
Having reached my limit of maintaining a prone position on a mostly uncomfortable mattress, my restless mind began to wander as it usually does — to writing.
This time, my brain was overloaded with one-liners and spin-off ideas
In other words, possible headlines for yet-to-be-written articles. Not wanting to disturb my sleeping husband, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and quickly navigated to the note app.
Leaving my cell phone within reach had become more than a habit — it was now a necessity. I’d realized some time ago that many of my best ideas for articles came to me after I climbed into bed. And having to depend on my memory to recall the little bits and pieces of possibility usually meant resigning them to a dark, murky corner of my brain labeled, “forgotten.”
I held the phone close to my lips and began whispering in the darkness, quickly capturing the thoughts and topics to explore with my writing.
I felt relieved — and exhausted
Ready to resume spooning against my husband, I settled back into bed and pulled the sheets up to my neck. The thought of his warm body against mine brought stirrings in my nether-regions. But I digress …
In the morning, I transferred my transcribed notes onto a blank page that would become this article
In case you’re curious, here are eight working headline topics I’ll be writing about in the near future — that is, unless another stray thought or two wakes me from a sound sleep, motivating me to record a new idea I simply can’t resist.
Get Your Head on Straight — and Keep it There Give Yourself Permission to be Right How to Recognize When Enough is Enough Start Every Day with the Right Attitude Ride the Wave of Inspiration to Success Turn Your Emotions into Passionate Writing Be Ready and Willing to Admit When You’re Wrong Why Writing is the Best Way to Deal with Your Issues
I’ve already started the draft outlines for several of the above posts, in no particular order. Hopefully, my night-time mental meanderings will provide you with a little insight and a bit of motivation to discover — and remember — what moves and challenges you. And what may potentially wake you in the middle of the night — without notice.
© 2020 Jill Reid. All Rights Reserved.
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Jill Reid is the author of Real Life, and founder of Pathway to Personal Growth. Her books and articles explore life, happiness, self-improvement, health, productivity, relationships, and personal success strategies for living longer and stronger through positive lifestyle choices.