Often the creative brain does its best in that semi-hypnotic daydreaming state that comes when you hit that perfect “twilight-zone-out” range.  One of the best ways to get there is through repetitive motion like running, walking, or swimming.  Any moving water will help you hit that hypnotic zone, and for many people, so will driving.  The hard part is to commit to writing what gems you got as soon as you can get pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.  The practice of going from twilight to commitment to focus is where your writing life comes in.  If you practice enough, that’s where you mine the gems.  Welcome to the writing life