Victoria Ponders

Unsought Thoughts!

I appreciate Dickie Bush’s writing advice and although I know I miss a post or two (and probably a lot of gems) I took my time this week and reviewed his latest tip deck on LinkedIn.

Here’s a summary of his six suggestions. Nothing earth shatteringly new…but I find repetition works because it gooses me along.

If you flip through the entire deck, you’ll get a feeling for the rich examples he provides. (I especially love the reference to Jerry Seinfeld who reportedly sets a timer each day and forces himself to write for 33 minutes and…yes…33 seconds to hit his goal of 33:33.) Makes me smile. You, too?

Reading Dickie Bush’s tips reminded me of a quote attributed to Francis Bacon about the importance of free-flowing ideas – or in Bacon’s vernacular “unsought thoughts“. The bon mots that sneak up on us when we’re not trying too hard:

“Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable.” – Francis Bacon

The combination platter of taking a walk…capturing ideas everywhere (those unsought thoughts) and then writing with a timer – Bush’s tips #1, #2 and #3 – are a powerful trio.

I hadn’t thought about it much, but when I’m in a writing slump, I can typically diagnosis the ‘meh’ and point to one of those factors. Especially when I’m being tyrannical – demanding that words and ideas show themselves.

There you have it…I love taking a tip and making it my own and even more? I love sharing my epiphanies. Now I’m off to set a timer for 33: 33 just to see what happens.

-Vicki 😊

P.S. Tip #5? Being content to appear clueless? I think I nail that one – often and effortlessly. Thanks for joining me just the same! Which tip sings to you?

Dickie Bush’s Tips-LinkedIn

More of my own musings about writing? Here you go!

Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press.

Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.

Click here for Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcasts. Listen and subscribe. Thank you! Click here for videos of our podcasts.

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Victoria

Hi — I’m Vicki and I’m a big believer in the power of connection – taking time to share what matters most. I love pondering…thinking about work, family and home life and I enjoy blogging about all of it. Cheers!

73 responses to “Unsought Thoughts!”

  1. drgeraldstein Avatar
    drgeraldstein

    My own plan is to go to Costco and buy my epiphanies when they are on sale.

    Unfortunately, the staff told me I reached my limit 10 years ago. Your plan sounds better, Vicki!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Oh…I like your game plan and your sense of humor. I haven’t tried to buy a big multi-pack at Costco…I’ll get enough for both of us! And maybe they sell patience, too? For dealing with…you know. Thanks, Dr. Stein, for the Sunday morning smile! 🥰

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  2. Life with Alegria Avatar
    Life with Alegria

    Thanks for sharing these tips Vicki. I wonder if setting a timer hurts writing. For example, what if you are in the flow, getting an idea out and the timer goes, should one stop?
    I like the tip about being ruthless with distractions. And I would add, being ruthless with your time. Savouring time like it’s the last bit of chocolate you’ll ever have. I need to do that more.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Ohhh! I hadn’t thought about your observation about a timer disrupting flow…yah! I can see that for sure. And your point about being protective. So important to guard our time and energy. 🥰 xo!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  3. Ab Avatar
    Ab

    I always enjoy and appreciate learning about other people’s writing process thanks for sharing and summarizing these helpful advice.

    I do struggle quite a lot with avoiding distractions – but agree with the value in taking long walks!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thanks, Ab! With you — a walk can be an antidote and inspiration all in one! Xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. joynealkidney Avatar
    joynealkidney

    A local creative (who gave me the first ever radio interview about my first ever book–Leora’s Letters) just recommended Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being. Gosh, I’ve underlined half the book!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Oh! Thanks for that, Joy! I haven’t read it but have heard great things. With your endorsement now I know I need to read it for sure! Xo! 🥰

      Like

      Reply
  5. D. Wallace Peach Avatar
    D. Wallace Peach

    A great list with a few I haven’t heard before – especially #5! That’s a super one. How will we learn anything new and exciting if we think we know everything already? How boring that would be! Walks in the forest and working in the garden are great times for me to come up with ideas. Happy Writing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thank you, Diana! Right! Be bold and daring…why not? And cheers to forest-bathing walks. Love it! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Wynne Leon Avatar
    Wynne Leon

    Delightful advice! I’m always amazed at how many ideas I get when out on a walk. Thanks for formalizing that practice! And although I’m smirking about #5 – there is no way it describes you!! 🙂 ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      You…are too kind…but thanks for being sweet enough to smirk. You’ve got oodles of first hand examples…and good manners! 😜

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Wynne Leon Avatar
        Wynne Leon

        ❤ ❤ ❤

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  7. Jane Fritz Avatar
    Jane Fritz

    Long walks are always rewarding, usually in several ways. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      You’re reminding me to get out there today while the sun is shining. Thank you Jane!☀️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Ally Bean Avatar
    Ally Bean

    33:33 minutes! Oh that’s funny. If it works, it works. I’ll keep that in mind but being a free spirit I might wing it and change it to 34:56 minutes. That run of numbers calls to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Oh, Ally! Can you hear me giggling? I am! You go, girl! I like the way you roll…34:56 it is! Let me know how that works for you! 😜🥰😜

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Darryl B Avatar
    Darryl B

    Great tips! I do seem to get my best ideas when I’m not trying actively to think of something 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thanks, Darryl! Appreciate you for stopping by and commenting! 😎😉😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Rhonda Avatar
    Rhonda

    I especially like #2: capture ideas everywhere. It reminds me of the advice Anne LaMott gives in “Bird by Bird”. It’s those unbidden thoughts, or “unsought thoughts” as you say, that often light me up and compel me to write.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Oh my. Yes. Thanks for the “Bird by Bird” reminder, Rhonda! So good. Cheers to ideas that light us up. Love that! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Ephemeral Encounters Avatar
    Ephemeral Encounters

    Vivki these are gteat tips, thank you.
    I do find my ideas come when I least expect, like today on my way to the grocery store.
    I was praying I could get them done when I came home, which I did.
    If I try to force the muse, she digs her heels in and I get frustrated!
    Have a good new week my friend 🥰❣️🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      I love that, Maggie! Good ideas when you least expect them! Xo! 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Ephemeral Encounters Avatar
        Ephemeral Encounters

        Thats why I keep a notebook and pen next to my bed 😁
        Hugs Vicki xo ❣️🥰❣️

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          So smart, Maggie! So smart! Much love to you! 🥰

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Ephemeral Encounters Avatar
            Ephemeral Encounters

            Thank you Vicki 🤗🥰

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  12. Ephemeral Encounters Avatar
    Ephemeral Encounters

    I typoed 😄oops!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Ahhh! No worries! I’m doing that all the time! 🥰😜🥰
      Big hugs! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Ephemeral Encounters Avatar
        Ephemeral Encounters

        Slippy fingers 😄😁🤗
        Thank you Vicki 🥰

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          Me, too! LOL! 🤣🥰🤣

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Ephemeral Encounters Avatar
            Ephemeral Encounters

            LOL 🤗🥰😄

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  13. Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Avatar
    Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey

    I love Seinfeld so I will try his 33:33 timer setting. I typically write on and off all day til wee hours of the night when the muse strikes (and to get all the sh*t out of my head)! Ha!
    I have never had writers block!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Sheila! Thanks for sharing — you are prolific with your writing. I can’t imagine you needing to play the 33:33 game! I love how you get it all out. Inspiring! 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Avatar
        Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey

        Well, I tried daily meditation based on watching a video of Jerry’s, and he was so right about it that I figure he’s onto something with this too. We’ll see! Ha!
        And thank you my friend. I will set the timer and focus on my book. I want to publish it before mid July.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          Sending you loads of good energy! You’ve got this! 🥰

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  14. beth Avatar
    beth

    love these tips and struggle with 3 and 4)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Oof! Hear you about those two! Me, too! Thank you, Beth. 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Love these tips Vicki. I am surprised nobody locked in on #5 which I think is the most difficult. It’s a difficult tip to accomplish and a difficult tip to even acknowledge its “tipability.” Think about it. We write or speak or broadcast because we should have something to say, something that makes us the subject expert, even if the subject just happens to be ourselves. But we can’t ever be complacent with what we know or what we think we know. The better roadmap starts where we know nothing, willing to be clueless, so we also then are always willing to learn more, to discover more, to grow more. Yep. That’s what I think.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      I love hearing what you think! Never be complacent…such a powerful reminder. Well said! Always willing to learn more. Thank you, Michael. 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Awakening Wonders Avatar
    Awakening Wonders

    An interesting list, but since I’m a hobby blogger there are no rules for me! 😍

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Love your blogging gifts, Mary! Always a pleasure.
      🥰❤️🥰

      Like

      Reply
  17. Midwest Mark Avatar
    Midwest Mark

    Hmm. I’ve never thought of setting a timer before. Interesting idea, and I see how it might help some people, but I don’t think it meshes with my style. I might want to write for 3 hours and 33 minutes one day and skip the next. Forcing my hand might breed resentment!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      I can see that…working in big, beautiful bursts! Go, Mark…sounds like a great way to stay in flow with your NTFK – “No Time for Kings” sequel! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    One beautiful aspect of writing is that everyone’s process is a bit different. I prefer to write when I’m feeling it rather than forced writing. I think it’s harder to be creative when I put a time limit or a set amount of words on a writing session.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thanks for that, Pete! I can see — and feel — the inspiration aspects in your writing. It comes through! 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Todd Fulginiti Avatar
    Todd Fulginiti

    What if you (or Seinfeld) spent 33:33 writing just 333 words on a topic? Sounds like an interesting (or maybe frustrating) way to practice editing. 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      I know, right?!? Could be a real pain in the butt! 😜

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Michele Lee Avatar
    Michele Lee

    Good day, Victoria and thank you for the link and inspiration. I am a fan of the number 3, so that story made me smile, too. Take care and happy writing to you! ✨📝

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thanks, Michele! Hope you’re feeling better today. Appreciate you for stopping by and reading…and I love knowing that you like #3…you’ll need to fill me in on how you write with a timer…I’m so intrigued by that suggestion. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Michele Lee Avatar
        Michele Lee

        You’re welcome and thank you for being so sweet! 🥰 The first thought that comes to mind with the timer is the use of them during writing workshops (narrative therapy). They are most helpful for keeping the class and writers on schedule with the time that we have. ⏲️ I use my phone. 😄 Hope your week is off to a pleasant start! 🙏🏻💕

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          Ah! Yes! Love that reminder. Thank you, Michele. 🥰❤️🥰

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  21. Lori Pohlman Avatar
    Lori Pohlman

    I have used a timer for free writes with students and in my creatives group. I actually love the way the no-rules- write -anything-but -just -don’t- stop -at -all system works (I used to tell my 8th graders, “even if you just write I hate writing and Mrs. P is annoying and. . .”) because sometimes- a lot of times!- magic happens somewhere between your hand and your brain and you actually make discoveries. I also love getting outside and walking. Actually, all the ideas are pretty great! ❤️ PS: I am reading Surviving Sue. Riveting! 🫶

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Lori! I love how you described the “write anything don’t stop” free write. Magic CAN happen! 🥰
      And oh my – thank you so much for reading “Surviving Sue”. I’m honored and grateful…look forward to your thoughts. Big hugs! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Lori Pohlman Avatar
        Lori Pohlman

        Big hugs back at ya, Vicki! I will gladly write a review when I finish. 💞

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          Thank you so very much. I mean it! 🥰❤️🥰

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  22. Kym Gordon Moore Avatar
    Kym Gordon Moore

    Thanks so much for sharing Dickie Bush’s writing habits. Excellent tips my dear Vicki. 😘💖🥰🙏🏼🌞

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Love and hugs, Kym! 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Kym Gordon Moore Avatar
        Kym Gordon Moore

        Right back at cha Doc V! 😊🥂😍 Smooches! 😘

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          🥰❤️🥰!!!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  23. Edward Ortiz Avatar
    Edward Ortiz

    Great post, and thank you for sharing those tips. The only walk I take when writing or brainstorming is to the kitchen to make myself some delicious coffee. That always gets my brain going. But I agree—I always get good writing ideas when walking or running on some of the trails in my neighborhood. Nature is a great source of inspiration.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thank you, Edward! I love your thought about the “only walk you take” when writing or brainstorming is to get good coffee! I bet that’s true for many of us and we don’t realize it. 🥰😉🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Edward Ortiz Avatar
        Edward Ortiz

        I know, and right now I’m thinking about walking to the kitchen and getting my second cup of the day. Thank you, my friend. ☕️🫶🏼

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          🥰❤️🥰

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  24. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Great tips! I enjoy journaling and try very hard to sit down and write every day. However, our lives have been so busy lately that it gets a bit rough to do so. I like the timer idea!
    Thanks my friend! 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Thanks, Nancy! I love it when you’re busy and you share fabulous tidbits from your week! It’s Tuesday…so I’ll need to hop over to see what’s new with you. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Nancy Avatar
        Nancy

        🥰🥰🥰

        Like

        Reply
  25. raisingjessstory Avatar
    raisingjessstory

    The timer tip completely spoke to me!!!
    The content tip took me a second because I kept thinking of the word content as in the meaning of the words written rather than be satisfied. 🤭
    I truly liked all of the tips and after my blog last week about bloggers blocked, it was helpful !
    Thank you , V- ❤️ the other V

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Yay! I loved your post and read it as I was working on this one…hoping one of these tips might help you! I tried the timer trick yesterday and ended up writing well past it — little challenges like games can help. Big hugs…xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. E.A. Wickham Avatar
    E.A. Wickham

    Those are great tips. I found throughout the years, I get most of my writing ideas during a walk — or a shower, as I mentioned before.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      Love that! Walks…a good shower. Great examples, Elizabeth. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. E.A. Wickham Avatar
        E.A. Wickham

        Please stop by my blog tomorrow. I’m giving a shout out to my author-blogger friends. Plus, I’m curious about your take on my topic of discussion.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Victoria Avatar
          Victoria

          Ohhh! Sounds intriguing. Xo! 🥰❤️🥰

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. E.A. Wickham Avatar
            E.A. Wickham

            😉👍🏼

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

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