I used to be doodler. When I started writing everything by hand (I did originally use a computer, but switched after a while), I doodled all over the margins of the notebook all the time. I could usually tell which parts of the story I had struggled with the most by which pages had the most doodles. I considered it a weakness that I was forever doodling instead of concentrating on writing.
Then, when I had my big turning point just over two years ago, about when I started this blog, something strange happened. The doodling stopped. It didn't trickle out or gradually lessen. I just stopped doodling all together. I looked in the notebook I was using at the time. You can see where I suddenly stopped doodling. I am inordinately pleased with the fact that in both five subject notebooks I filled up with The Ransomed Returning there is not one single doodle in the margin.
So, last night when I was brainstorming in my planning notebook and found that I was doodling--not just in the margins, but over the whole page, I was sort of shocked. I don't want to be falling back into that old habit. It's okay, though. It's only the planning notebook, and it's only because I am totally lost on where to go with this novella. I have decided to start over (for the second time), but with a different POV character. I think this one will work. I hope.
If not, I may be looking at a notebook full of margin doodles again!
26 comments:
maybe the dodles can help with where your trying to go with the novel
Good luck with the novella!
That's really weird that you stopped doodling when you got the blog. Maybe it became your doodle and helped focus your mind to write mode.
I doodle when I write, or wait. If there isn't paper while I wait, I sing...
Anyway, good luck with the novella!!
I used to doodle in class when I should have been taking notes. :) Good luck with your new story!
Perhaps you doodle in order to stimulate your brain, and when you stopped, the mind was already occupied enough. I wouldn't worry too much about when you start or stop, as I don't think doodling is necessarily a bad thing when it comes to creativity.
Now, too much time on the internet......well...
Doodling is a way for your brain to travel the creative path to find the answer to your scene problem. I think it's like your brain putting you on hold with music to entertain you so you don't bother it while it goes to find the right file.
Just change your doodles into brainstorming charts! LOL! You have to do what you can do to get those juices flowing, so don't be too hard on yourself. :o)
I hope you have a character in your book who doodles, stops and starts again. That's awesome.
Happy New Year! And much luck on your book!
My artistic skills are about equal to my musical knowledge and ability, which is to say, nil. However, I can draw a mean cockroach...about the only thing.
It is interesting, however, what generates the mind's imagination--gets things in gear.
Well, you've all about convinced me to deliberately start doodling again! Thanks, everybody.
First off I think you're a few parts insane to write a book in a NOTEBOOK. Second. I doodle ALL THE TIME. Just not when writing. In places where I should be paying attention, like on my program in sacrament meeting...
I CAN listen and doodle though.
Just in case you wondered.
I don't doodle when I write because I write on a computer but I doodle all the time at school or just when I'm sitting around the house. I love doodling!
I used to doodle all the time during school. Now that I do most of my writing on the computer, I don't doodle nearly as much. Sometimes though, when I get stuck, I write by hand, and then I might doodle a little.
you know, I used to doodle all the time too! I wonder if there's a correlation btw creative writing and amount of doodling... :D
Congrats on the breakthrough~ <3
I'm not really a doodler, but I totally get what you're saying! That's when I go crochet a lot or something while I noodle over the story. ;)
I am a doodler. I never really caught that connection before though. I'm so glad you shared this because at least I can pinpoint where I'm going wrong!
I never doodled but I've been fascinated by those who do. I think the blog gave you the creative outlet you needed so you don't need to doodle anymore!
I heard some where that doodling helps your mind organize things. Hope it's true because I find myself doodling all the time. =)
It is hard to doodle on a computer, and I do think school is a great place for doodling. Carolyn, I hope you're right about the organizing part. I could sure use it.
That's so funny, I do it too, and as you say, you get busy with all this stuff online, as you may have noticed I havent visited until now, Hi Angie! Nice place you got here. Anyway, I just started doodling up again. Mine was due to my lap top being real slow with a million sights open. I have however, doodled in a reflective moment. Mine is usually geometric patterns, but mostly faces in carricature, with hair do's and sometimes I will do a designer dress doodle on some that I find comes into fashion the next day, on the T.V. Well, hope it does mean organize. Actually, it could mean a lot things, its interesting.
One of the reasons I've been writing by hand more lately is that I've missed my doodles while typing. Sometimes there are great ideas mixed in with my doodles . . . especially if my doodles include word pictures in the margins with strange symbols next to them.
Interesting post! I hope your writing goes well today!
Thanks, Tyrean. I wish I good ideas mixed in with the doodles. That usually didn't happen for me, though. Thanks for stopping by!
I used to doodle, now I just kind of stare slack jawed and blank into the distance. :p Aren't our brains fabulous things?
*writing cookies*
I used to doodle all the time in my classes. I had folders that I used just for that purpose. I wish now I had saved them for posterity :-).
I wonder if doodling is your way of giving yourself time to THINK about what you're going to write next. Some people go for walks, or showers, or do crossword puzzles or maybe even blog? If you're thinking about your characters and what you're writing, that counts too!
Namaste,
Lee
Thanks for stopping by Lee. I agree that thinking about the story and the characters still counts as writing!
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