Fact: Enveloped Ideas is a song by Filipino band, The Dawn.
It has nothing to do with this blog post.
I will be talking about ideas, though, and how I’m often at a loss for them when it’s time to start writing.
It seems like every time I’m not in front of the computer, I know exactly what I want to write and blog about. Then I sit down, and everything just disappears into a mushy pool of random thoughts. It’s my sad but true reality.
Well, recently I’ve gotten the chance to work with a (really) young director who gave me the brilliant idea of idea-banking. No, it isn’t a new concept, but there’s just something more appealing about having something enthusiastically explained to you versus reading about it online.
At our last shoot, he showed me a small notebook that he started carrying around in his back pocket. It contains his random thoughts and ideas – anything and everything that might be interesting to write about, photograph, shoot, or think about. His goal is to write down 10 ideas a day. It’s basically bottled up brainfarts, or, enveloped ideas! Lol. I just had to…
I always have ideas bouncing around in my head, but I’ve never really thought to list them. Why not? I dunno, but now I think I should have started this a long time ago. I feel like it’s a great habit to develop, especially for someone like me who needs to have an active idea bank for work (and for the sake of this blog, too.)
I’m starting today. My colorful pens and little yellow notebook are ready. I hope my brain is ready, too. It’ll be fun creating my own writing prompts, and going over my list of random thoughts on writing days. I hope this means that more interesting and exciting blogging times are coming up, too.
Do you guys keep a list of blog topics and ideas that you want to write about or do you just wing it like I’ve always done? Do you agree that keeping a list of ideas can help us defeat the dreaded blank page?
I usually make a list of blog topics to write for the week. When something pops, I’ll write it in a separate notebook or if I’m in front of my laptop, I put it in drafts na :)) This sounds like a good idea to try ๐
I tried writing down my ideas before as per instructed by my writing mentors.. alas, it doesn’t work for me. What I love most is to sit in front of the computer or with some paper and pens and just write what comes to mind. ๐
This is a neat idea! I actually love writing down brain farts on my desk calendar.. or I have Google Notes on my phone for when I am on the go ๐
That’s actually a good idea, I think I’ll try it but on my phone’s notepad app ๐
Before I used to have this notebook with a lot of quotes that I wrote whenever I see something outside. Now I will just carry a notebook when I am on events but sometimes more of listahan ng mga expenses hehehe
I also carry a notebook with me all the time. But since I can now type using my phone through Evernote, I have started to use Evernote. ๐ However, my experience is that when I am about to sleep, that’s when most of my ideas are pouring in. I once joked to my husband that I need a device that will transcribe or record my ideas while lying in my bed. ๐
Used to have a small notebook with me everyday everywhere. I would jot down anything- mostly ideas, too. Now with my hands all full with household chores, thank God I still have my trusty mobile phone I could easily slip inside my pocket and fish out whenever new idea keeps coming.
I have this notebook that I carry anywhere with me. It’s not idea book though, its a list of to-do things for our small business and some notes on our orders and price quotes. hehe
I don’t really make a list on blog topics… I just hit it when I feel like doing it! No pressure =P
Ive been wanting to do this but i always forgot! But lately i was thinking sayang ung ideas if i will not write them down so what i do when sudden flight of ideas comes, i type them on my notes app on my mobile phone. Its the least that i can do coz mobile phone has been somehow part of my life..every inch..kinda..hahaha ๐
That happens to me to but almost always in the shower so even if I wanted to write it down…
At the back of my planner, I have a list of titles or topics I want to blog about in the future. Then I cross them out one by one as I accomplish them. Like you, I have tons of ideas here and there, I hate it when they just fly without being written down. =)
My husband bought himself an actual book called “idea book” years ago. He still religiously writes on it until now. I meant to do the same but never got into the habit. Thanks for reminding me about this! Will definitely start one this year. ๐
My husband has an actual store-bought idea book that he bought years ago. He keeps it in his car and has been religiously writing things down. I meant to do the same but never formed the habit. Thanks for reminding me about this. Will definitely start keeping one this year. ๐
That is a good idea. Often I would have ideas when I am not writing that when its time to write, I had forgotten all those out-of-this-world winning ideas I had.
I have a notebook too where I write my blog topics and ideas. I like crossing them out, feeling fulfilled ako. lol I also have another notebook where I write places, recipes or anything that I’ve learned thru blog hopping. ๐
This is a great idea! I actually do have a small notebook always in my bag for ideas (and various other notebooks all over the place!)…I’ve never thought about concretely though as “idea banking” but I guess that is exactly what it is! Or maybe I just love notebooks ๐ Hmmm…I think I need to do it more purposely ๐ My notes are all on food though (surprise!), so I use the notebook to jot down anything about food…dishes I want to try, ingredients I want to play around with, different ingredient combinations, restaurant dishes I want to try and recreate at home, anything really! And eventually some make it on my blog ๐
And don’t knock the “mushy pool of random thoughts”…I’ve blogged for almost 10 years on almost all that!! ๐
I think it’s a must to have a notebook or any digital notepad where you can put random ideas and thoughts. I’ve been carrying my “ideas notebook” for years now. I love how I can go back to random ideas and thoughts and it helped me a lot! ๐
I write my blog ideas on my planner at the start of the week and then I check or cross them out, whichever applies. I do like your idea of “idea banking.” I also feel like there are days when there’s so much to write about, so it’s really important to save these ideas somewhere.