lizard brain and mammal brain tangoing in the moonlight....

[lagilman]

Two pages into the new chapter, the plot threw me, trampled me, and then took me over a water obstacle without a fault (to continue the horsey theme running through the LJ lately). Mammal brain, trying to weave plot threads, pointed out a weakness in my original outline, the lizard brain tapped something minor already laid down in the previous chapter, and away we went. No new words this morning, unless you count story-notes and a significant reworking of the mid-book outline...

Some days, no visible progress is still significant progress. In other words, yes, staring into the distance while relentlessly refreshing e-mail/petting cats is working.

(and sometimes, of course, it's not-working, but not for lack of trying)

Comments

[mzipser.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it could be an exciting part of that whole writing thing you people do.

BTW - "lizard brain and mammal brain tangoing in the moonlight...." - ummm ... so, when that happens? - who leads and who dances backwards in high heels?

-- Mike Z

[lagilman]

It's only exciting when I yell "gotcha!" at an idea and scare the bejabbers out of the cat innocently sleeping on my lap....

(and they take turns wearing the heels, but everyone dances backwards)

[bigferret.livejournal.com]

I may not be a writer, but I have had those days where my brain just tries to work out how I am going to tackle something. It doesn't seem like I am working, but I really am.

[lagilman]

Yep. The brain is in motion, but the body is not. Except when it's pouring more caffeine.

Of course, a lot of times my body needs to be in motion while I think things through. That's why I like to walk. It gets me freh air, and gives the body and surface mind something to occupy itself with (Move forward. Stop when the light is red. Dodge the daddy with the stroller.) while the deeper brain does the hard lifting.

unrelated side note

[handlebar605.livejournal.com]

I was at the store and there is a chocolate company that makes dark chocolate with coffee (Green & Blacks) as well as a company called "Dagoba"

[ex-kaz-maho.livejournal.com]

Some days, no visible progress is still significant progress. In other words, yes, staring into the distance while relentlessly refreshing e-mail/petting cats is working.

*nods wisely* It is! I can vouch for that.

[infiniteviking]

Heh. It's always interesting when a plot suddenly grabs the bit and makes a run for it.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

I love the plot octopus. :)

[neutronjockey.livejournal.com]

Just remember that the Plot Octopus needs an occaisional half-halt to collect itself properly before transitioning into the next gait.