Rob Kelley here, thinking about thinking about writing.

When I was still working full time, especially when I was traveling, I had a pretty strict schedule. Up, hit the treadmill or the hotel gym, shower, coffee, off to work. The only bummer about that (other than the work part) was that I didn’t get to really linger in the shower, which is my absolute best place for writing ideas. I did, however, get ideas in the car during my weekly drive from Cambridge to Philadelphia: five hours of highway time that also sometimes led to some really good writing ideas (I’d send myself voicemail messages).

Turns out there’s some solid neuroscience behind this. First, creativity is enhanced when your body produces lots of dopamine in an activity that makes you feel good: a warm shower or a relaxing car ride (which explains why most of my ideas on drives did NOT come when I was on the Jersey Turnpike). What’s also critical is distraction. When you are actively not thinking about a problem in your book or what the next scene needs to be, that’s the moment the flash of insight can come. Finally, you need to be in a relaxed state, letting that warm water loosen up those shoulders and your imagination.

Now, on days when my schedule allows it, I will wait to take my shower until I hit a snag in my writing day. It’s not quite failsafe but more often than not, I towel off, dress, and run back to my computer to unload all of the new ideas and insights.

How do you spark creativity in your work? Is there a reliable trigger or habit that works for you?