Graham Greene on the work of the unconscious
So much in writing depends on the superficiality of one’s days. One may be preoccupied with shopping and income tax returns and change conversations, but the stream of the unconscious continues to flow undisturbed, solving problems, planning ahead: one sits down sterile and dispirited at the desk, and suddenly the words come as though from the air: the situations that seemed blocked in a hopeless impasse move forward: the work has been done while one slept or shopped or talked with friends.
This quote describes almost exactly how I write. I can go to bed with a plot problem, and in the morning it’s magically solved. The subconscious mind is a wonderful thing.
bwtaylor75
April 22, 2012 at 10:10 am
Same here! With me, it often happens when I’m washing the dishes.
nevalalee
April 22, 2012 at 10:27 am
That is so true. I think so much in my sleep – when I get up in the morning, I wish I could put a keyboard in my shower.
Bill Chance
April 22, 2012 at 11:14 am
It’s all about the bus, the bath, and the bed.
nevalalee
April 22, 2012 at 2:29 pm