Friday, May 11, 2012

The Most Interesting Thing: When Do You Plan Your Books?

"The best time for planning a book is while you're doing the dishes." ~Agatha Christie


It worked for Agatha, but I'm afraid it doesn't work for me. Why? Because my dear husband does all the dishes. 

So when do I plan my books? Until last week, I'd forgotten that my favorite time to plan a book is while exercising (because I hadn't been exercising.) One of the great benefits of Project Butt Out of Bed has been the story problem solutions popping out of my brain as I huff and puff through the neighborhood. 

Last summer DH and I hiked every Monday. I could plan a whole week's worth of story during those early morning communes with nature. Oh how I've missed them! Next Monday commences Season Two of the Plot Hikes. Yay!

My Butt Out of Bed Alarm has sounded, which means I must wrap this up, but before I go, I want to let you know that on Monday I will be celebrating my 200th blog post and giving away a book to one of my faithful 199 followers. My number loving OCD self would be thrilled to have 200 followers to celebrate the occasion. Just sayin'. ^_^.

So tell me, what's your best time for planning a book?



25 comments:

  1. ...usually while cooking, cleaning, or exercising.

    Have a great weekend, Angelina. :)

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    1. Multi-tasking is so cool when you're a writer. Do you find the chores get done without thinking about them?

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  2. When I'm trying to sleep or when I'm driving

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    1. Hmmm. Sounds dangerous. I don't drive much because when I'm deep inside my head, I'm oblivious to what's going on around me. I find those hazy moments of waking and falling asleep to be very creative.

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  3. Great question. Any time I am not writing or revising the new project ideas push into my head and demand attention. So, I have to keep some sort of scrap paper and pen around at all time.

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    1. So your brain is popping out story ideas all the time. ^_^

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  4. Yep, I'm with you. At the gym is my #1 plot producing exercise. After that, it's folding laundry. Congrats to #200!

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    1. Thanks, m'dear. Do you find the laundry sorta folds itself when your mind is occupied with your story?

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  5. Driving! And walking or hiking - but I must be alone. And amazingly, sometimes in dreams.

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    1. I've had some story ideas spring from images in my dreams. Ones I had when I was a teenager that never left me.

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  6. As I try to get my 3 year old to go to sleep, lying beside her in her big girl bed, feigning sleep. She's a tough customer and trying to surreptitiously check my email doesn't work. So I have to be still. And I can't count the number of plot break throughs I've had waiting for her to fall asleep.

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    1. This is absolutely the best answer yet! The image makes me warm and happy. ^_^

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  7. Glad your blog is back!

    I find walking to be productive creatively. I like the name "Plot Hikes."

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  8. When things are quiet so I can think without interruption. Which usually means at night, when I am lying awake in bed trying to go to sleep. My brain runs away and I need to chase it down with pencil and paper. Or when I'm at work, in a meeting, day dreaming because I'm over whatever we're discussing. Then I have to carefully write down some notes about it without the person next to me checking to see what they.

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    1. Love the image of taking story notes while in a business meeting. ^_^ Nice to meet you.

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  9. I, too, find that exercise unleashes those story ideas. I LOVE the concept of "plot hikes". I might have to give that a try!

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    1. You might have to come with me. I've got an amazing spot near Glacier.

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  10. I usually do it while working on a craft project, playing the piano, exercising, or (if there's nothing major going on in the world) during the news.

    Congratulations on 200 Followers and posts!

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    1. You can work on a story while playing the piano? You've just moved a few rungs higher on my respect ladder. ^_^

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  11. I schedule plotting time as part of the process before I type chapter one. I have solved problems while exercise but it's very intermittent for me, not even close to a sure thing. A shower can also work.

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    1. I've heard other people talk about the shower thing, too.

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  12. You lucky thing that your husband does the dishes!! Exercise is a brilliant time to plan and think. Unfortunately I usually find myself planning books when I should be sleeping.

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  13. Things come at me all the time, but driving is a great time for inspiration. Grocery shopping also comes to mind especially waiting in lines.

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