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Writing Tips: Capturing Ideas
Ways to fight perfection. Progress is better than a blank page or ideas forgotten. I let myself capture the words without feeling pressure to do anything with them. I'm gentle with my drafts.
For a long time I was scared to even call myself “a writer”. I have been afraid to step into this role because I don’t want to fail. I was letting perfection stop me. I was expecting final copy work in the idea phase.
But the in the last few years I have grown as a writer and now I approach it differently.
I let the words and ideas I capture take whatever shape seems fitting. I let them be undefined for now.
Sometimes I will be living my life and words will come to me. Or maybe a list of ideas will hit me with a force so strong I have to stop what I am doing and write them out. Often those are good ideas, but sometimes I look back later and it doesn’t seem that inspired. And that is okay. I am glad that I captured it anyway.
Capture is also the most illusive writing task. It can be a tricky process. I often get my best ideas when I have nothing to write with (in the shower) or no time to write it down (while driving carpool).
Having a place to keep everything is essential to making progress.
I had to test what different ways would work for me. I have created a system that I am happy with. I can grab ideas when they hit me.
Inspiration often shows up when I am busy with other things. Words can come to me while I’m taking a walk, making dinner, cleaning, and going to sleep.
Inspiration does not follow a clock or a schedule.
How I capture my ideas – my process in Evernote
Example #1 – A photo or an experience
On a walk in my neighborhood, I thought about my evening rhythm of talking walks at sunset. Then I began reflecting on how I was choosing to slow down in a few very strategic times of my day. After some reflection and taking a few beautiful Arizona sunset photos I opened Evernote and wrote out this draft.
↘️ see screenshot - Here is the finished article.
Example #2 – a list written in the midst of life
I was sitting in the school room with a fresh cup of coffee and my kids around me working on our Grammar. When we switched to Geography lessons I started thinking about how much I love teaching this subject.
I looked around the room at all of our maps on the walls and the globes on the shelves. “I should write an article about geography…” I thought. And then in a rush a bullet point list poured out onto the piece of paper in front of me. Later that afternoon I put it into Evernote and it has been sitting there ever since last fall.
Sometime soon I hope to finish this article and post it.
As you can see from my screenshots above, my capture process is messy. I would rather get the ideas out imperfectly than forget what I just came up with.
I try to be very gentle with my ideas and messy drafts. In the idea stage anything goes. BJ Novak called this the “Blue Sky Period”. I let myself capture the words without feeling pressure to do anything with them.
Jonathan Rogers said in an interview that the good ideas will come back around to you. “It pops back up when I am ready to do something with it”, he explained (as he talked about his writing process). I would agree. I have lots of ideas but I eventually remember the notes that are most important to me, the ones that stick out.
This does have the result of a lot of information collected, but I consider that a good thing. I feel rich with ideas when I see the numbers go up on my Evernote draft notes.
Having a place to keep everything is essential to making progress.
Have a capture system. Choose how you will grab ideas and sentences that come to you when you are busy doing other things. Pick something that is quick, accessible, and easy to navigate.
Use an app on your phone like Evernote.
Get a cheap spiral notebook to keep nearby.
Have notecards at the ready stashed in your purse.
Find something that works for you and then use it.
When I allow myself to capture anything with potential, then I can fight off perfectionism.
And this brings us to my next step = marinate.
For a sneak peek check out: Writing Tips: Letting Your Ideas Marinate
– What does the capture process look like for you?
– How do you keep track of snippets of ideas and paragraphs that creep into your head while washing the dishes?
– When do you get your best ideas?
Each stage of the writing process is actually doing the work of writing. Even if it does not have a defined shape yet.
My goal is to share hope-filled words full of practical ideas. No matter if it gets messy or if some posts need time to simmer. I am learning that the writing process is worth it. That waiting can be a good thing.
I would love to hear about your writing process!
Please share in the comments. ⬇️
