Capturing Writing Ideas: Write in the Moment

Capturing writing ideas means noticing them when they appear and getting them down quickly, before fear, doubt, or distraction puts the lid back on.

Here’s something I’ve noticed about myself:. When something BIG presents itself, I tend to leave it in the box. 

A sewing machine sat unopened for months. An iPad waited weeks. Even a new blender I wanted stayed unopened for weeks before I could use it. I know, it’s a little odd, and I’m not entirely sure why I do this. Maybe I want the excitement of the “new” to last a little longer. Or, I am overwhelmed by the idea of actually using it!

Writing ideas can feel the same way. I have left my writing ideas “in the box” because they felt too scary, too risky. Once it escapes, I will have to capture it, and do something with it. The truth is, writing is a scary thing sometimes. You just never know where it will take you. But ideas in the box don’t grow. So let’s talk about how to open the lid and get your ideas out of the box and into a story! If you are a parent or teacher helping a student figure out writing ideas, these methods will work for them as well.

The Story Leads Us, not the other way around…

One of my favorite writing assignments was when I was asked to write up “a little something” about the backstory of the Woman at the Well for a ladies’ fellowship event. Oh, sure, I thought. A little bio? Not a problem.

Then I thought about what that would actually MEAN! And I let that idea sit “in the box” for a few weeks. I was procrastinating out of fear of failing at telling the untold story.

Capturing writing ideas doesn’t mean waiting for the perfect moment. It looks more like every days habits that lead up to something bigger, like:

• Using a writers notebook to dump random thoughts
• Using a digital notebook so thoughts can be recorded in the moment
• Trying the watermelon to seed method to narrow down thoughts
• Writing or making notes on a schedule or with an alarm
• Writing down bits and pieces of dreams
• Make writing goals: write a set amount of words or for a set amount of minutes every day
• Using an outline or a timeline to map out a course of events

These ideas can also help combat one of the most common things people say, especially students, which is: “I don’t have anything to write about.” There is always room for more writing ideas.

Write Them Down

Capturing Writing Ideas – Right in the Moment

But how can we capture those personal narratives in a tangible way, a way that lets us remember them, share them?

I write nearly every day. But a lot of the writing work I’m doing is informational – tips, recipes, reviews, news. My goal has always been to work my personal experiences into the posts I write. But after my October 31 Days challenge where I wrote parenting poetry nearly every day, I knew I wanted to do more.

I don’t want my ideas to sit in a box. I want to let them free. Time has a way of erasing those narratives, the sweet moments I’m sharing with my children. Smudging the edges just a little. Blending them in with other memories. I want to capture those moments and shape them into something beautiful.

That’s my challenge. I invite you to grab a pen and notebook, and join me in my personal endeavor to write every day. Write about your life, the precious moments, the random thoughts, and the hidden dreams. I don’t know what your situation is, but chances are, you have a story to tell.

Find those little moments and little ideas. Write them down in the moment. Capture them. Let them out of the box. Nurture them and help them grow into your own amazing story.

Need more help with writing? Check out our other writing posts here:

Setting Up a Writer’s Notebook

Gathering Ideas with Lists

Kid-Friendly Letter Writing Ideas

Writing Classes and Private Tutoring