Every day I walk—it’s become something I have to do. It keeps me sane, as well as fit. The dog enjoys it, too.
I need to exercise outdoors—I’ve never been a fan of gyms. One year, I bought a gym membership for $440 and used it eight times. At only $55 per visit, that was value for money—not.
My best writing ideas seem to come as I’m drifting off to sleep and when I’m walking. I get ideas at the computer, sitting and typing until I hit something, but that can be hard work, and often what comes up is superficial, clichéd and predictable.
Once my legs are moving, however, fresh and original ideas flood my mind. I have no idea where they come from—a subconscious part of my brain that only activates with leg movement—but they’re often a surprise and not at all where I thought the story was headed. More often than not, they fit perfectly and turn out to be where the story needed to go. Then I wonder why I didn’t see it earlier …
My mind drifts as I walk and the thoughts come, undirected, unrestricted. I need that space. My characters fill my head and it’s fun—I feel like a child again, day-dreaming and letting my imagination go, as my legs move me along. I imagine the characters doing what they do—swimming in the river, walking around the shops, conversing with each other. Sometimes, I find I’m talking to myself and pulling faces as I walk. (Please, if you see me doing this, tap me on the shoulder and remind me that I’m in public.)
I don’t always walk to think. Sometimes I listen to podcasts. I like recordings of books and arts shows on Radio National, and Margaret Throsby’s interviews on Classic FM. Margaret not only talks with people in the classical music world, but also with artists, doctors, professors, lawyers, scientists, even ex-Prime Ministers. I’ve learned about termites, the pollution of our oceans, piano playing in the Romantic period, the assassination of JFK, and a host of other topics I might not have otherwise believed interesting.
Listening to these interviews is often inspiring—like attending a mini-Writers’ Festival. They fill me with ideas and tips, or even just a beautiful phrase, like this one from Margaret’s recent interview with Martin Amis. It’s from Auden’s poem ‘The More Loving One’:
‘If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.’
It was enough to remind me of the beauty of a few words, and of a truth.
I need my daily walks, not only mentally and physically, but also to write.
How about you? Do you find walking an idea-generating activity? When do you get your best ideas?
Hi Louise. I enjoy all your posts and this one rings lots of recognition bells for me. What a great way to write, keep fit, regenerate the brain (although yours seems to be doing all right regardless!) and recharge the batteries generally. And a reasonable pair of walking shoes are a lot cheaper than a gym membership, especially one that doesn’t get used. I can relate to that one too.
Thanks, Iris. I’m glad this post resonated with you. And yes, a pair of walking shoes is better value for money than a wasted gym membership! 😉
A lovely post Louise – makes me want to pull on my sneakers and head out right now… Or maybe later since it’s in the high 30s at the minute! An ideal writing session for me starts with a long walk – I laughed at the thought of the faces we might make deep in thought and am also amazed at the ideas that pop up often when not even consciously thinking about a work in progress. I tend to walk without music or podcasts as for me this is the most mindful. Happy walking!
Thanks for commenting, Jacquie. Like you, I love letting my mind off the leash, so to speak, and how ideas just come when I do. I also like listening to other people’s ideas, hence the podcasts. I learn something from hearing from other authors and people in the creative and scientific worlds—there’s always something I gain from them. It keeps me company, too!
I absolutely agree re listening and learning from other ideas – I tend to use driving time for this though. I will look out for Margaret’s podcasts- thanks for the tip.
Even talk-back radio can be a source of inspiration! Certainly some characters call in and expose me to views I wouldn’t normally come across… Always good to be exposed to different thoughts, even if sometimes I find myself shocked or irritated by the attitudes of some. A little off track from where we started but writing does that to me!
And yes have enjoyed a lovely, long walk already this morning so that day has started well…
For people who love the Arts, you can’t beat Margaret’s interviews. She also follows the Writers’ Festivals and speaks to authors who are guests of those. You can listen to her interviews from the past couple of years, so there’s no shortage.
Glad you had a lovely, long walk yesterday! About to put my sandshoes on and head out …
Louise you’ve hit the nail on the head. Oxygen flows to your brain, there are no interruptions and the creative juices flow. I not only refine so many posts in my head on my daily walk but also found a reason to write. Loved this post.
I know exactly what you mean, Pinky. Walking creates a flow. It’s where I think about my book, come up with ideas for blog posts, and also where I mull over anything that is worrying me. I come up with so many good lines while I’m out, not all of which I write down or remember, but I don’t worry about something I forget—at least the cobwebs are cleared.
I didn’t mention it in the post, but I also wonder if the rhythm of the leg movement helps too …
Terrific post Lousie, and thank you for sharing a little bit more of your world. I get ideas when walking, cleaning, falling asleep, waking up, watching people, listening to people, shopping, driving. I guess the crucial thing is filtering the ideas, which will work, what won’t and then frantically hunting down a piece of paper and pen to scrawl it down! Quick! before I forget! The thought of losing a “great” idea is scary.
I know about the bits of paper! There’s a pile of them next to me as I write. I keep notepads everywhere—in the kitchen; by my bed; behind the sun visor in the car. I can’t take them walking, so I dictate into my phone. It’s rather embarrassing if the kids get it and listen to them—sometimes I’m waffling on about a cloud shape or how different the shades of green were by the side of the path. But at least I captured that thought …
That’s what writers are, amongst many other things – thought harvesters! 🙂
I love that concept: ‘thought harvester’. I’d never thought of it before, but good writers do harvest thought, don’t they? They bring in the wild thoughts from the fields, bundle them into sheaves, and package them up neatly. That’s how I’m going to think of myself, as a ‘thought-harvester’. I like it. 🙂