When does one become a writing machine?

It sure feels great to write again about something that is dear to me—something I’m naturally inclined to write about, rather than be prompted by certain topics all the time. It’s like sneaking back into my comfort zone, enveloped in that cozy and old familiar feeling.

Don’t get me wrong, though; I love those contest prompts. They’re very interesting, often challenging the mind, and sometimes, urging us to question our own assumptions as to what is right and wrong. Seriously, who wouldn’t love that? But sometimes, taking a short break from all those prompts and simply follow your own ideas every once in a while, can feel refreshing.

Anyway, since we're in the topic of writing, why not delve into it a little? Maybe I'll start with a question: When do you become a writing machine?

I think we’ve all experienced this—that sudden surge of mental energy, brimming with wild ideas and creativity that come rushing in faster than our pen (or keyboard?) can keep up.

I know that most of you, if not all, have these special moments come to you naturally or automatically. I must say, you are truly blessed to carry such a fertile mind with you. However, as for those who are less fortunate (but never hopeless!), including myself, require certain conditions or elements to be present to summon that most anticipated burst of creativity.

Now, let’s talk about these—certain conditions or elements, shall we? This might come off as a bit weird or funny, but humor me anyway.

Perhaps you’re someone who needs something with you – a stuffed animal, maybe a teddy bear? Or do you prefer writing in solitude, when no one’s watching or bothering you? Maybe you find alcohol’s intoxicating nudge effective or inspiring? Like a water pump that needs to be primed before it can work. Or does it have something to do with time? A specific time of the day, or perhaps your crazy ideas come at midnight?

Or maybe you’re that someone who is able to transform into a writing machine with just a cigarette, drawing ideas every time you catch a whiff of tobacco smoke. Or maybe there’s a chance that you’re like me whose mind becomes fertile when surrounded by just the right amount of mess, like this:

To be honest, this looks tidier than my desk – minus the typewriter, of course, since I don’t have one.

I guess my mind works better amidst chaos: scratch papers sprawled across the desk, books piled up, too lazy to put them back on the shelf, empty bottles of soju on one side of the table, and a nearly empty hand sanitizer on the other. I don’t drink while writing, by the way; I only do so when watching movies, but somehow, I always forget to take them out or clear them away. Maybe I won’t clear them away, it’s already a picture-perfect scene for me.

I have tried writing on a tidy environment before but I only ended up feeling mentally blank or uninspired. It’s as if my mind protests that it’s too clean, with nothing to dig around for ideas. Silly, right? I thought so too.

But then I remember a time when I was looking at a piece of art – a painting. At first, I thought it didn’t make sense, it was just a chaotic mix of colors. But when I took a moment to observe it a bit longer, a picture began to emerge, and that’s when it dawned on me: a thing may appear chaotic at first, but with a good dose of curiosity and patience, clarity will eventually find you, and when it does, the perception of beauty is soon to follow.

This is just me, though. It might as well be an isolated case. So…unless someone tells me, I still wouldn’t know for sure: when does one become a writing machine?

The picture was generated via bing image creator