I think the human brain is fascinating. As a writer who wants plot ideas on demand, it can also be frustrating.

Recently I read an article that said our brains don't work as well under stress. (Duh, right?) We can't force the ideas, they're more likely to come when our conscious mind is occupied with other things. Like driving, showering, jogging, walking the dog.

My own–admittedly non-scientific–observation has borne this out. I can stare at the screen for hours and get zip, but tie on my running shoes and within minutes something's likely to bubble up. Good for my story and my hips!

But my brain sends up more than story ideas. While I was walking the dog today, the names of all the blooming flowers kept popping into my head as I glanced at them. I'm not much of a gardener or flower aficionado, but even the names of more obscure plants–that if you'd asked me outright I wouldn't have been able to conjure–bubbled to the surface like air under water.

Now if I could harness that ability, turn on the bubbles whenever I needed them, that would be like gold. I can only take so many showers, run so many miles, and drive around for so long before I have to get back in front of the keyboard and stare at the screen again.

Any thoughts on how to get the bubbles going?