One of the more frustrating aspects of being a writer is the occasional flare up of a good idea which just as quickly fizzles. While driving today, that is exactly what happened to me. Actually, it happened twice, so I guess it's safe to say I am having an "off" day. I think my need for food outweighed my desire to keep a good idea inside my head.
The first instance occurred just as I was waking up. It was 6:10am and I had awoken thinking about my class (yes, I usually do this, despite having not made it to the coffee pot yet). I hadn't completely decided on the topics for my students' midterm essays the night before, but by this morning I had narrowed it down to three, which I was going to write up once I got to school. And so, I decided to continue with my normal routine.
The morning drive was a little more congested than usual, but not enough to warrant the brain-fog that attacked me once I reached the school. As I set out to type out my students' three essay topics, the first two flying off the keyboard easily, I suddenly hit a wall. The typing stopped. I stared and stared and stared at the screen but no third option would present itself. That idea had been kidnapped by that mysterious force that steals all great ideas. For around five minutes I sat there staring at my laptop willing it into action, but it was no good. I had to settle for only two essay topics and so would my students. Such a sad way to start the day.
The second occurrence of brilliance struck while I was making my way to Taco Bell for some much needed sustenance (a cereal bar and some coffee don't last all that long, especially after a four hour class, followed by an hour for office hours). An idea about teaching hit, and I remember thinking, "Wow! That's a good idea. I need to save it for my blog!" I pulled into the Taco Bell drive-thru, ordered my food, and drove home listening to "Born This Way" (yes, I was singing).
After eating and performing all the Internet procedures required of all us wired individuals, I opened ScribeFire and set out to work on that wonderful idea about teaching....
... Crickets....
..... More crickets......
....... A whole plague of crickets........
Seriously! What happened to me today? Was it the food? Was it the Gaga? Or was it a sort of intellectual jet-lag associated with my conference? I don't know, but I hate losing ideas, especially good ones. Of course, the optimist in me is screaming, "But they must not have been good ideas if they vanished so easily!"
Yes, this is true. The brain has a way of filtering out bad ideas by quietly tucking them away in a dark corner so they can die with dignity. It's a shame it doesn't do the same for song lyrics and melodies.
The first instance occurred just as I was waking up. It was 6:10am and I had awoken thinking about my class (yes, I usually do this, despite having not made it to the coffee pot yet). I hadn't completely decided on the topics for my students' midterm essays the night before, but by this morning I had narrowed it down to three, which I was going to write up once I got to school. And so, I decided to continue with my normal routine.
The morning drive was a little more congested than usual, but not enough to warrant the brain-fog that attacked me once I reached the school. As I set out to type out my students' three essay topics, the first two flying off the keyboard easily, I suddenly hit a wall. The typing stopped. I stared and stared and stared at the screen but no third option would present itself. That idea had been kidnapped by that mysterious force that steals all great ideas. For around five minutes I sat there staring at my laptop willing it into action, but it was no good. I had to settle for only two essay topics and so would my students. Such a sad way to start the day.
The second occurrence of brilliance struck while I was making my way to Taco Bell for some much needed sustenance (a cereal bar and some coffee don't last all that long, especially after a four hour class, followed by an hour for office hours). An idea about teaching hit, and I remember thinking, "Wow! That's a good idea. I need to save it for my blog!" I pulled into the Taco Bell drive-thru, ordered my food, and drove home listening to "Born This Way" (yes, I was singing).
After eating and performing all the Internet procedures required of all us wired individuals, I opened ScribeFire and set out to work on that wonderful idea about teaching....
... Crickets....
..... More crickets......
....... A whole plague of crickets........
Seriously! What happened to me today? Was it the food? Was it the Gaga? Or was it a sort of intellectual jet-lag associated with my conference? I don't know, but I hate losing ideas, especially good ones. Of course, the optimist in me is screaming, "But they must not have been good ideas if they vanished so easily!"
Yes, this is true. The brain has a way of filtering out bad ideas by quietly tucking them away in a dark corner so they can die with dignity. It's a shame it doesn't do the same for song lyrics and melodies.
No comments:
Post a Comment