Super-Charged at Bedtime

If I'm trying to sleep, the ideas won't stop. If I'm trying to write, there appears a barren nothingness. ~ Carrie Latet

Or maybe

I keep little notepads all over the place to write down ideas as soon as they strike, but the ones that fill up the quickest are always the ones at my nightstand. ~ Emily Logan Decens

Or how about

A notepad by the bedside accounts for half the earnings of my livelihood. If it weren't for bedtime, half my novels would still be stuck at dock. ~ Ever Garrison

Are you noticing a pattern?

Why is it that so many of the best ideas and words and sentences and titles and characters come to us when we’re trying to fall asleep?! Last night I was so tired and desperate for a good night’s rest that I even took a “simply sleep” tablet before bed. I fell asleep fine. The problem occurred after a middle-of-the-night bathroom trip. Back to bed…eyes closed…blankets soft…hubby warm…brain suddenly powered on high! It was like I suddenly had a film clip of possibilities and edits rolling behind my eyes. Ugh!

It’s nice to know that it’s a common ailment among writers, but that doesn’t lessen my frustration. I would prefer to have the film clip rolling as I sit at the computer, perfectly prepared to capture each new idea.

How about you – does your creative brain suddenly become super-charged at bedtime?

If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams. ~Danzae Pace