Words for Writers: Moments of Zing

I have a file on my computer labeled Treasure Trove. The purpose of this file is for ideas that I don't want to use in stories, but may have some use for later. Every now and then I'll I look through the Treasure Trove to see if there's anything interesting I may have forgotten about. The Treasure Trove is like the island of Misfit Toys. These ideas don't want to be in there. They want to be used. They're just pieces that don't fit to any particular puzzle. Yet.

Anyway, since about the first of January I've been working on a story idea, and towards the end of last week it went stale mate. I was really discouraged over it. I had three protagonists who's stories I was attempting to  meld together, a magic system that seemed purposeless, and a world I was struggling to build. Yesterday morning I decided to file everything . . . EVERYTHING . . . in the Treasure Trove. This was about a month's worth of work, close to 100 hours of investment, all for naught.

After filing away the story I put my laptop away. I didn't really want to think about writing. I sat around and read for a few hours, until my wife got home. After she arrived I had her cut my hair. She doesn't talk too much when she cuts my hair so I sat and thought about my story. I was thinking about one of the three main characters. This guy was an odd ball. He didn't mesh with the other two. Essentially all my problems were being caused by this guy. I put him out of my mind, and out of  no where I had a moment of zing. If you don't know what zing is allow me to explain.

Listening to some authors talk about where they get their ideas can sound almost mystical. In some ways conjuring up ideas can be a little magical. Therefore, moments of zing is when an idea falls from the heavens, jumps up and hits you in the face, or is hand delivered by your muse. Sitting on the stool, with the hum of clippers in my ear, an idea about the magic system gripped me, and would not let go. It made perfect sense. After my wife finished cutting my hair, I was in the shower rolling around the idea of this magic system, and within 15 minutes I had the cause and effect of this magic figured out. The working of this magic would go along perfect with the story I had just put on a boat to the Treasure Trove. The only problem was the protagonist that wasn't getting along with everyone else.

For whatever reason I always get my best ideas in the shower. I think my Muse must be a water nymph. Standing there in the shower my Muse introduced me to a new character that could replace the guy that didn't fit in. This new character would also be perfect for the magic I just developed. I quickly finished my shower, and ran to my laptop. With excitement I rescued these files from the Treasure Trove. I put fingers to keys - it was as if they were on fire - and put down all the ideas that I had received over the last half hour.

Gladly, my story was saved. I'm about to work on it some more. I'm excited.

Lastly, I think the secret to getting great ideas, is always be on the lookout for them. Moments of Zing are going to hunt you out. You must hunt for them. It's not like God steps from the throne room, and hand delivers a message. They're natural moments that are mostly unexpected, but happen because you were paying attention. Most of my best ideas have come while I was reading. I see an idea that a writer was trying to get across, and I think of how I could put a new or different spin on it, and voila(!) I have a story with new potential.

Remember, be on the lookout, moments of Zing are out there, are happening, right now. They're not looking for you. You have to look for them.

*If you'd like to read more about the Zing check out John Brown's website. He has two articles about Zing. The first: "Capture the Zing" is quite a dandy. It's where I first learned about the Zing, and how to recognize when I have having those moments. The second: "Zing Hunting Methods" is great for when you're dry, and may be struggling with a block. John gives you a few methods to generate ideas.