12 random thoughts of a freelance writer

As a writer, I’m a natural observer and processor of thoughts.

My brain (and perhaps yours) runs continually in a stream of consciousness, taking thought from one seemingly random place to the next.

Sometimes that randomness requires my explaining just exactly how I made the conversation leap from cancer to cantaloupe.

Most times, I go with it, enjoying how my brain takes in, stores and organizes tibbles of knowledge.

Often times, I’m able to pluck the tidbits and repurpose them into something far more profitable than mindless trivia: advice for a friend, a blog post, a feature story.

What about you? Do your thoughts run rampant? Do you try to harness them? Why? How? Where did one of your random thoughts last make an appearance in your work?

I don’t know where these observations may end up in their final form, if anywhere, but here they are: 12 random thoughts of a freelance writer.

1. Even though it’s calendarily (not a real word!) spring, I became momentarily and noticeably giddy when I saw a few teeny, tiny buds on the tree outside my kitchen window.
2. Last week I finished a major project with a client that required me to be in their offices much of the week. So I’m back in my office and it feels foreign and homey at the same time. I really need to find curtains to match the paint job I did last year.
3. Speaking of paint, I have a goal of cleaning out and painting all my closets this year. My office one, which I’ve organized many times, is undeniably the worst. I’m very well organized so the closets must be having a heyday when I’m not looking.
4. I’ve been thinking about pitching some guest blog posts to other writing blogs but truthfully it’s lack of time that’s stopping me.
5. I spend an inordinate amount of evening time watching TV. I blame hubby because when we were dating I rarely watched TV. We’re on a quest to end the marathon watching we do many nights.
6. I’m trying hard not to keep track of hubby’s “to-dos” anymore. I have my own list of to-dos and he really doesn’t need (or want) me babysitting. That being said, he forgot to do something very important last night for today. So it simply won’t get done because only he can do it. Grrr.
7. When I was a kid I was a list maker. (Still am, in fact.) Used to be I could cross things off the list and be done. It’s taken me my adult life to realize that I’ll never be “done.”
8. Hubby and I have been talking about whether or not to take a vacation this year. On the one hand, we’re moving towards some Dave Ramsey-esque Financial Peace goals; on the other, we’ve been working like dogs and need a time of refreshment.
9. I love the possibility of a fresh, new day. Wow. Isn’t that a trite sentence. I should blog about how NOT to be trite.
10. I’m so thankful for my mastermind group. They challenge and grow and love me. And I them.
11. I’m meeting with another freelancer today. We’re trying to figure out how to support each other. Swapping advice? Doesn’t get much better than that for me.
12. I have deadlines looming and I don’t want to work the weekend. My solution? Focus.

By JanO on 4/15/11, In the writing life, Tags advice, blog, client, deadline, freelance, freelancer, mastermind, mastermind group, observer, randomness, writer, writing