That’s what it all comes down to… just writing. Or as I like to say in this instance (and many instances, actually), writing like mad. Just go all out in a crazy fashion. Write anything and everything that comes to mind, and then figure out what to do with it.

This is how I’ve always approached my process. But surely there’s more to it than just writing non-stop, right? Well, not entirely, but at the same time, it does start with a task as simple as just sitting down, shutting off all distractions, and “doing the hard part.” It needs something to start from, however. Be it a theme, topic, idea, or an external/pre-existing prompt, it’s good to have something fueling it.

For me, lately, there’s been so much fuel in many areas that I almost don’t know where I want to go. So many possibilities and areas to go to, like I’m riding a carousel that just won’t stop as I keep spinning. Ya know? I love all the areas, and I knew I was wanting to get back to this on a consistent basis like I used to do, so the whole, “What am I in the mood for?” question would sometimes get lots of overwhelming answers (overwhelming in the sense of there being too many). Naturally, all the answers/ideas sound fun.

“Sure! Something adventurous would be fun to write.”

Excellent, perhaps a story idea could come from that fuel.

“How about something funny?”

Hey yeah, maybe another humor-filled Mingled-up Musings entry would be perfect.

“X topic is on my mind, and it makes me feel Y.”

That’s true, X topic IS on my mind. A dedicated thought piece about it would work wonders for getting Y out of my system.

~

Ohhh but here’s the kicker, I’m a variety kinda’ person who loves all the medium. That includes wanting to do more Youtube videos. So therefore, I’d say…

“This could be a great monologue for a video!”

Or…

“I could turn this into a series for short-form video potential. Even split it up into multiple entries.”

And then for something different, there’s…

“Can I speak it quicker than I can write it? If so… I’d be better off doing a voice recording, transcribing it, and then editing/revising everything. I’ll figure out what to do with it afterwards.”

Good idea, let’s go for it.

~

No matter how I cut it, many and/or all of these are the case, and then I ultimately end up with lots of writings on my computer. If the ending of Raiders of the Lost Ark were a computer instead of a warehouse, this would be it. Yeah, it’s that much. And after reorganizing writings recently, I realized that the overabundance of random writings needs something to drive it (not to mention, a better sorting system).

Therefore… “writing like mad” needs a purpose that’s fairly easy to recognize (and, thus, organize) to somewhat lessen the madness. It sure is fun, and this whole writing method has been the fuel that has led to many entries I’ve created here. But sometimes, it’s better to have an intention behind something I go into. And it’s strange that this notion has been on my mind more than usual as of late, despite the fact that one of my always-favorite series I’ve always enjoyed writing is Mingled up Musings, which doesn’t really seem to have a “purpose” or intention, as it is purely driven by sprawling stream-of-consciousness thoughts.

So regardless of intention, there is a place for both… writing from an intention, and not having an intention by just writing in that fun freeform style. But even a freeform style may have an intention, it just might be “disguised” as flowing stream-of-consciousness thoughts. Perhaps the “disguise” comes from an underlying concept that I might not realize until later.

This itself has led to my recent realization that, yes, the randomness of my long-cherished Mingled up Musings format does have something behind it, even though the fun is in its unpredictable & conversational tangent-inspired randomness. Not to beat a dead horse or anything, but I think it’s true that even some randomness might have a purpose/intention behind it. But it isn’t really the same as it is when I’m doing a focused thought piece. Instead, the intention is about something else. And while I’m closer to figuring it out these days, there’s still something about it that remains a mystery.

Either way, it’s best to continue writing like mad to get something (or many things) out of my head so I can get closer to it. And for anyone else who might feel clueless when writing, I hope this at least gives you some comfort in knowing that the feeling is relatable.

Maybe the only way we’re different is in how we write it. Maybe everything else is similar… connecting us like we’re all part of a collective “hive mind” of sorts that shares more similarities than we realize, and we can only please the inner urge of said hive mind by channeling what we all have in common, as we inject it out from a pen, or process it with a keyboard. And once it is fed, we do it all over again, as it fuels us to fuel the hive mind.

Kind of a trippy visual if ya ask me.

So keep on pleasing that hive mind, and keep writing like mad. We all need it!