Standing Orders
I am often asked how I get ideas for my writing. While ideas are generated several ways, the most common is the “standing orders” I have given my subconscious.
In this context, a standing order is a permanent instruction I have given my subconscious. For example, one might have a standing order to lock the doors and turn off the lights before going to bed. The decision to go to bed triggers the instruction to do certain things. These types of standing orders are triggered by a predictable physical event.
Generating ideas for writing requires a different kind of trigger. Jean Moroney, the owner of Thinking Directions, suggests using a mental trigger “if you know the exact words that will run through your mind.” For example, if I think, “That is interesting,” I have a trigger to consider the item of interest as a writing topic. Admittedly, I notice many interesting things I don’t write about. This simply means that I have an abundance of ideas.
Establishing effective standing orders takes time and persistence. It is crucial to take the appropriate action in response to the order. This will reinforce the order and slowly make it automatic.
When I have a trigger for a writing idea, I immediately make a note whenever possible. This enables me to examine the idea more carefully when time permits. If I don’t make a note when the idea occurs to me, I will probably forget it. (It also means my desk can be cluttered at times.)
When I am considering an idea for a novel, I establish additional standing orders. These are more specific to the subject matter of the idea. For example, when I was first considering the Shattering Paradigms series, I had a general idea of the direction of the story. Because the historical fiction series takes place over multiple decades, I needed a lot of ideas to create a cohesive and integrated story. Standing orders enabled me to do this by making me more aware of issues such as racial equality and justice, even in contemporary events.
Using standing orders won’t guarantee you generate great ideas for writing. But they can make you more aware of potential topics.