Sometimes writing needs to percolate.  There’s a lot to be said for keeping after it when you’re hot or when the idea strikes.  Writers strive for that nirvana moment, and you should definitely keep writing when you hit the groove.

But there’s also a lot to be said for letting an idea bounce around your head for awhile, let your subconscious give it a good massage to see what comes out a day, week or month later.  We live in a “I wanted it yesterday world,” but next month often is the reality or makes more sense.

I’m currently co-writing a book with a friend and professional colleague.  We batted around titles for the book day after day in our early meetings.  We emailed back and forth.  One title would sound okay, then we’d modify it, and we would both find something not quite right.  We finally dropped the subject and just got down to the writing.

As we put together chapter after chapter, we’d occasionally email each other another title suggestion.  We still couldn’t agree and none of them really made us jump up and down.  Then I came up with one this past week.  It was short, captured the subject, had a hidden meeting and was visual.  We had it.  He loved it.  He’s discussed it with others, and they agree.  I’ve run it by some other people and they think it’s great, too.

It took almost two months for the right title to emerge.  Good writing sometimes is best put on the back burner to percolate.

When the thought strikes you, run to your computer, laptop, iPad or notepad.  Write your ideas down.  Capture as much as you can.  Flush the key images from your system.

If you don’t, you risk losing the beauty of your point(s).  Trust me, it has happened to me way more than I’d like.

I’ve made it a habit to keep a pen and pad by my bedside table (for those numerous sleep-interrupting eureka moments) in the flip-up storage unit between the driver and passenger side of my car, and with me whenever I go to some form of a meeting.  Ideas strike everywhere. 

If it happens in the shower or during a workout, I use this method to sustain them in memory:  Repeat the three key ideas over and over in your head.  Practice them. Say them out loud.  Then let them go, and return to them five minutes later to see if you can dredge them up.  If not, forget about it.  They will come back from your subconscious when and if it matters.

And, if you never get the thoughts back (you will), they probably didn’t matter to begin with.  If you start jotting down notes instantly, you’ll find what you have to say is more creative and fresh.  That’s important in a world bogged down with words.

When I edit materials for others, it’s striking how frequently words can be cut from a sentence to improve how it reads.   One word could take the place of four.  None of us are immune to over-writing.  It’s easy to pick apart my own columns and blogs and observe, “How the heck did I let that go out the door?”

For example, take the opening sentence of this blog.  We could change it to a simple declarative statement:  “Cut words from your sentences to improve how they read.”  Neither the longer nor the shorter version is perfect.  One gets to the point more quickly.  The other gives a bit more background for a better feel about the subject matter.

Look back at what you write and see if you can remove 4, 5 or even 6 words from a sentence and find one that substitutes.  It’s a great exercise.

It forces you to hone in on your message.  It makes you get to the point.  It adds clarity.

Next time you put out a memo or a letter to your customers or you’re sending an important email to the leadership team, take five minutes and pick your two longest sentences.  Set a goal to shorten both of them.  Then dig into it.  Find the unnecessary words and cut, cut, cut.   Then read it aloud to yourself.  It will make you smile.