Sometimes it takes a while to get the ideas flowing, and I'm one big ball of procrastination. So I play this little game: I make a page full of thumbnail squares and tell myself I have to fill up each one. Some are pretty, um... crappy, but others turn out to be good possibilities. It's kind of like inching my way in to that state of inspiration... but it really works. Try it sometime!
I've been sticking to the writing for 15 minutes for days 3 and 4. Work is busy again and I haven't gotten to it until the end of the day when I'm tired and cranky-- but somehow it leaves me feeling invigorated. This is something I've really needed to do. I'm enjoying it.
16 comments:
i love that you do thumbnails!! i still do quick ones when trying to work out a painting or for my design jobs...it's a nice way to get clarity in direction, or jot down ideas you don't want to lose. i have them doodled all over everything.
No better way to get the ideas out than to put'em down on paper. Even the "crappy" ones might lead to a good one! :)
Christine-- Yes, they're really helpful when a full blank page is too intimidating. Hey- I printed out your cookie recipe... the kids are gonna make them this afternoon. Yum!
Tom-- Yep... gets the idea faucet flowing!
An excellent idea.
sometimes in order to get going writing you just have to write ANYTHING - as in I don't know what to write etc etc.
o else i make up one stunning (hah) sentence and work on in from there.......
wow...what a great idea...I think I may try this out...I have been cutting up my watercolour paper and taking it everywhere with me...but this sounds like fun too...
wonderful work on your thumbnails...
Thanks, Elizabeth and Diana!
I'm so glad you are felling invigorated Jennifer! That is awesome! And definitively the way to go. I'm also glad you've been filling your little thumbnails too :o)
Great idea, Jennifer. One of the great things about this project is learning all these great suggestions and techniques for becoming more creative!
Great thumbnails Jennifer. Ahhh thumbnails. I first heard of them when I got to college. I didn't like them. Then by the end of the first quarter I couldn't live without them. 8 )
This challenge has proven to be an inspiring venture hasn't it?
how'd the cookies turn out? did the kids like them? isn't waiting for them to cool the worst...i end up eating them soft and warm because i can't wait!
Thumbnails do work great! I haven't done them in a while, I need to get back to that. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, Alicia!
Monica-- I agree. I'm keeping a list of other creative experiments I'd like to try.
Yes, Ryan-- inspiring for sure. It's funny, because I'm really busy with other work but somehow this little deadline every day is more invigorating than tiring.
Oh Christine... I was going to write you... we made the cookies... and OMG they are delicious!! I can kiss that bikini goodbye!!! (Well, in truth I did a long time ago...) ;-)
Thanks, Cindy!
glad you liked them! watch it or they will become an addiction....and i'm with you on the bikini!
"Sigh..." Too late, we're hooked...
I am finding the exercise so invigorating too! Your thumbnails are way fun. I can see SO many possibilities in them. I'm so excited for you. Thanks for the idea. I'm going to have to try that too!
Thanks Joan-- Yes, try it! It really works! :-)
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