December is drawing to a close, and so is the year 2018. Around this time of year, I begin to wrap things up. I finish whatever book I’m currently reading, see if I reached my Reading  Goal on Goodreads, and try to relax my mind. Well, those are my intentions. However, as most creative types will agree, it’s hard to just let your mind relax. I just can’t seem to turn my brain off.

I keep a notebook full of notes and outlines for books with me at all times. Every year, I buy a composition notebook, create a series of tabs for it, and write. Around December, I buy a notebook for the upcoming year, but I tell myself I’m not going to touch it until January. I’m bot going to start any new books or projects until January. This is what I tell myself. Then, my brain gets to work, and before I know it, I’ve come up with two or three solid ideas for new books (two or three solid, out of about fifteen that I just put aside). 

I’ve come to accept that creativity does not run on a schedule. It just…happens. You can’t flip it on and off like a light switch. But, maybe that’s a good thing. If I could just switch my brain off for awhile, I’d probably miss out on some really great ideas. While I wasn’t planning to start any new drafts for books until January, my ideas for Rock N Role Model kept pushing their way to the surface, so I broke down and wrote four pages for the first chapter. So, I’m going to forget the break, and just keep on writing. 🙂