Emma’s Thoughts

It’s an old chestnut of a tip for writers, popping up in every book of advice, each ‘how-to’ article by successful authors – “always keep a pen and paper by you, in case inspiration strikes”.  I used to dismiss it as impossibly old-fashioned – a remnant of the Romantic idea that creativity comes from some semi-mystical external stimulus rather than an internal power of thought…

But, over the years, I’ve been ‘caught short’ many times with an idea or plot point or revelation of character burning in my brain and with no adequate way to record that fleeting insight.  While I know that the key to writing success is sheer hard graft and application, I’ve found that those solutions and breakthroughs come to me when I am wandering in woods, letting my mind drift, letting my brain idle happily in neutral. My low point was once having to inscribe ideas onto a (clean) disposable nappy, the only available writing surface in my bag; after that, I resolved to carry a notebook at all times.

And it has been worth it, enabling me to stop beneath a tree while out walking  last summer and record the ideas that form one of my favourite short stories, giving me a chance to snatch 40 minutes valuable writing time while my children sleep in the car, and providing a record for details of useful websites or books to look up when I get home. It’s also proved extremely useful for keeping the children entertained in a cafe while Mummy natters or reads a newspaper!

So there you go – always have the tools of your craft at hand. And as inspiration frequently strikes me in bed (ask my husband about this) it’s probably a good idea to also keep a notebook and pen by your bedside.  And a torch, for the sake of your poor sleeping partner…