Where And How Do You Generate Your Best Ideas?

This letter is going to be shorter than usual.

It's 5 AM in the morning. Today I'm writing to you from KAKAMEGA. I traveled here to attend the burial of my late great uncle Anunda. I know I had mentioned his death in one of the past letters. Over here, I have met a lot of cousins, uncles, and aunts. I have spent one night out sitting at a bonfire listening to Isukuti. And of course had my fair share of time in nature alone because I love forests and waters. There were a lot of interesting stories and some bit of funeral drama that I am going to be happy to tell you about in the future.

Anyway…

I’m still on the bed, and that's where I am going to type today’s letter. I didn't carry any books. No laptop. No workstation. No journal. No Internet for two days. I've basically been chatting with new cousins and old friends and family members(my grandmother who is 95 yrs is so funny) while putting away the phone most of the time.

This morning, I'm not feeling like writing. As a matter of fact, I haven't written in two days all because of the funeral mood. But Monday is here. And the cows have to be milked no matter the circumstances. Ok, what can I write today?.

Now. These days I am learning that many writers get writing ideas when they are not doing the actual writing. It could be while in the shower. In the kitchen preparing a drink or a snack. Outside walking. Sitting on the couch doing nothing. That is when most ideas strike.

To me, the truth is that writing is like bringing out the voice of god. It is like the mind of god speaking while you leave those powerful words on paper. It is so natural to me. I don't use any AI to write. Apart from Grammarly which helps me correct some obvious grammar mistakes. In short, I don't use chatgpt.

How and where do I get and generate my best ideas?

On a personal note, I have a strange method. Whenever I am reading something, my mind quickly processes the information and lessons that the other writer is communicating. Quite often, I stop reading and note down the lesson. Because to me a lot of inspiration and ideas come from random and active reading… Once I get that line that forces me to drop the book, my mind is already burning with an idea to write about.

For example, I was reading a tweet last week by a girl called Okoye. And I got so many ideas about why the world needs self-work. I ended up writing something in my book inspired by that tweet from Okoye. Reading something short can make my mind expand in different ways. And I instantly get ideas to write about. And may end up writing really…

Of course, sometimes I get ideas while listening to music and podcasts and walking. Even while sitting. But random active reading cuts it for me..

That's it!

I can hear the birds singing already… so let me stop here. It's a new week. A cool Monday morning in KAKAMEGA and here is my short letter to you.

Now tell me, my friend. Have you started writing? How is it going? How and where do you generate your best ideas?