Friday Five: Shifting Gears
As much as I adore summer, it is a trickier season to find writing time. Schedules keep shifting, plans change, and writing blocks are fewer and farther between. It can be challenging to set aside writing time and to make sure that the intention holds when other possibilities come sneaking in. And then, when life starts to sling other difficulties your way, such as medical issues or family needs or friends in crisis, it can be hard to find the writing zone even when you have the time set aside. So today's Friday Five covers some means to finding your way back to that magical place when life keeps pulling in other directions.
1. Breathe. Sounds ridiculous and I know I suggest this for many issues in life -- that's because it works for all of them. If you're running around out in the world and then sit down to write and try to just go, go, go in your writing the way you have been out there, it's not likely to lead to much. Take a couple of minutes. Slow down. Take some deep breaths. Feel your pulse slow and your racing mind ease up.
2. Meditate. Lead yourself on a gentle visualization to somewhere relaxing and rejuvenating, like a secret waterfall in a lush, green forest or the beach with ocean waves gently rolling or your childhood backyard. Or just sit quietly, stilling your thoughts for a few minutes. Leave all your stresses at the door. They'll be waiting for you when you're done with writing. But first you have to set them aside long enough to be able to find your inner creative space.
3. Make a writing date. Find a friend to write with. Often the creative energy is shared and catalyzes both of your processes. You might find that writing with a friend brings a whole different type of writing to you or makes you more productive. The only challenge is to be clear about when you're going to write and when you're going to chat, otherwise it will devolve into just hanging out -- which still can be good for your peace of mind, but isn't as productive as getting both done.
4. Create a special writing space where you can go to get away from the busy-ness of life. Let it be your writing haven. Whenever you go there, your brain will know it's time to write and it will be easier to slip into that mindspace. If you don't have the physical space to create such a sanctuary, try changing an ordinary room to make it feel different during writing time. If the only place you have to write is the kids' playroom while they're napping, change it up. Cover the TV with a tapestry, dim the lights, throw a quilt over the piles of toys. Scents can help change a space dramatically. Try aromatherapy candles or room sprays that can help your mind adjust to the shift.
5. Sink back into your story. When our time is limited, we can be tempted to just jump in, wanting to get it done before time runs out. But taking a little of that time to read back over what you wrote last time, or even all of what you've written so far can really help jog the creative brain, make you eager to find out what happens next. So if your productive brain is telling you to get going, tell it to be quiet so you can find your way back into the lives of the characters you're bringing to life.
These are a few techniques that help me shift gears. What works for you?
1. Breathe. Sounds ridiculous and I know I suggest this for many issues in life -- that's because it works for all of them. If you're running around out in the world and then sit down to write and try to just go, go, go in your writing the way you have been out there, it's not likely to lead to much. Take a couple of minutes. Slow down. Take some deep breaths. Feel your pulse slow and your racing mind ease up.
2. Meditate. Lead yourself on a gentle visualization to somewhere relaxing and rejuvenating, like a secret waterfall in a lush, green forest or the beach with ocean waves gently rolling or your childhood backyard. Or just sit quietly, stilling your thoughts for a few minutes. Leave all your stresses at the door. They'll be waiting for you when you're done with writing. But first you have to set them aside long enough to be able to find your inner creative space.
3. Make a writing date. Find a friend to write with. Often the creative energy is shared and catalyzes both of your processes. You might find that writing with a friend brings a whole different type of writing to you or makes you more productive. The only challenge is to be clear about when you're going to write and when you're going to chat, otherwise it will devolve into just hanging out -- which still can be good for your peace of mind, but isn't as productive as getting both done.
4. Create a special writing space where you can go to get away from the busy-ness of life. Let it be your writing haven. Whenever you go there, your brain will know it's time to write and it will be easier to slip into that mindspace. If you don't have the physical space to create such a sanctuary, try changing an ordinary room to make it feel different during writing time. If the only place you have to write is the kids' playroom while they're napping, change it up. Cover the TV with a tapestry, dim the lights, throw a quilt over the piles of toys. Scents can help change a space dramatically. Try aromatherapy candles or room sprays that can help your mind adjust to the shift.
5. Sink back into your story. When our time is limited, we can be tempted to just jump in, wanting to get it done before time runs out. But taking a little of that time to read back over what you wrote last time, or even all of what you've written so far can really help jog the creative brain, make you eager to find out what happens next. So if your productive brain is telling you to get going, tell it to be quiet so you can find your way back into the lives of the characters you're bringing to life.
These are a few techniques that help me shift gears. What works for you?