In a post on Writers in the Storm, Ellen Buikema says we should embrace the role that intuition or the sixth sense plays in our writing. “We are born with a sixth sense used to feel a situation or story,” Buikema says. “Writing fiction is a lot like finding a story that is happening somewhere, but you see and hear bits and pieces of it, or sometimes entire scenes, in your mind. We know some details of the story intuitively. The other information lurks about in the dark, waiting to be discovered.”
How often have you encountered a character who refuses to act the way you want or won’t answer to the name you’ve provided? (In our case…often.)
To develop that sixth sense for your story, Buikema recommends that you take some “me” time away from other people and electronic distractions. Listen to the silence, and also pay attention to your gut feelings when you right. If something feels off, it probably is.
On the other hand, when something catches your eye or when a song is stuck in your head, pay attention. “These may be signals from the universe, clues to move you further on your life’s journey,” Buikema writes. This is also a good time to take notes. It’s too easy to forget your breakthrough solution to a plot problem or an interesting bit of dialogue. That notebook can also serve as your dream journal, in case your subconscious is trying to tell you something.
