Words seem to come from the most unknown places. There's no real continuity or connection between them, yet here they stand. In my mind. Some seem more coherent than others. Yet, my mind can't shut off. The words and imagery come tumbling from places I can't even begin to explain. The best way I could explain it is though the brilliant writing of Virginia Woolf. Her concept of stream of conscious when applied to writing is paralleled to the way I write at times.

I feel that we are all scattered brain writers but not all put down in words what we think. I am constantly plagued by made-up scenarios that never leave my mind. Sometimes, the images and words come so fast I barely have time to put pen in paper. I wish I could discipline my mind to slow down, let me write it all down, every thought and feeling. Who knows, I may be writing my next screenplay? Just kidding.

This piece goes out to all my scattered-brain writers out there who see for a fleeting moment the entire plot line to their next screenplay; who can't shut off the brains for one second because every thought is a line on a poem or the beginning of a novel. Let the words come through you always. Write it all down. There is nothing that comes from your mind that is not important. That is the most important part to remember.

Carry around with you a notebook and a pen. At all times. I don't say this lightly, so pay attention when I say "at all times." Even placed on your nightstand just in case you wake up in the middle of the night plagued by dreams. Dreams are often the door to stories untold by the most brilliant of writers. That is the biggest well you could draw from.

It is all about piecing together your thoughts into a coherent narrative or piece of writing. Every word matters, yet they are not necessarily properly placed in the appropriate order. I've had a hard time understanding this. I would have a concept or story or screenplay and would easily frustrate myself waiting for the rest to fall through. It won't. Sometimes you have all that you need and sometimes you have to piece together the rest. Hence the importance of writing it all down, including the most minuscule thoughts.

Writing itself is no easy task, and the thought of having to put together my already disjointed thought process can lead to a path of self-doubt. Yet, I find comfort in the words that form themselves from within even if their meaning is not clear. It is all a matter of application and willingness to work at connecting the dots. Dusting out old journals and notebooks with everything written down and finding meaning is perhaps the hardest part. However, if the need to write and explore the nature of narrative is strong enough, you will do it. It is instinct.

I hope this all makes sense. You know who you are if you identify yourself with this piece. The mind is a vast place, filled with scattered thoughts and feelings. Being a writer is all about digging deep enough and letting the words surface.