Without realizing it, when I first started to write fiction, I spent more time in my head than at the computer. I was marinating my ideas, letting pieces and characters ruminate in my brain. The finished product would not necessarily be a polished piece of fiction, but often the clarity of the fiction was better than if I just sat down at a computer or with pen and paper and started to write.
Marinating with an idea from a creative pursuit, or even a problem at work, can help work to solve the issue. It can provide great insight and various ideas. Do you get a chance to marinate at work? At creative play?
Often, as with my early fiction writing, we do it without even knowing it. We can do it while driving to work, waiting for a meeting or sweeping the porch. It remains an essential element to becoming part of our creativity and moving through our process.
As I watch the rain today, it reminds me that I need to take time today to incubate an idea–in the shower, on a walk, drifting to sleep–is important in elaboration and moving an idea to the next level.
Let’s get marinating!

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