On
days when ideas and words are scarce, I no longer force myself to sit at my
desk and stew about it. I get up and do
something else. I meet a friend for an early-morning hike. I walk with my husband around the
What
I've discovered is that out of the "something else," ideas for books
and articles come to me more easily.
It's amazing! The more relaxed
and rested I am, the more quickly my mind delivers the kind of material I can
turn into marketable submissions.
For
example: Squeeze the Moment: 31 Days to a
More Joyful Heart (WaterBrook Press, 1999) was largely written in my
mind--as I walked daily along the beach--long before I put my thoughts on
paper. The idea for Innovative
Grandparenting (Concordia, 1995) came to me as I was collecting shells on
the beach with my granddaughter and later, camping in the desert with my
grandson.
I've
learned to keep a little notebook and pen on me at all times--in my backpack,
beach bag, or briefcase--so I can jot down ideas and phrases as they come to
me. A few hours of fun can lead the way
to a few months of writing. I feel as
though I'm playing for pay!
So--if
you’re tired of facing a blank page, and at times a blank mind, if you feel
depressed, discouraged, or worse--driven--take a look at the following
examples, and let them motivate you too--to play for pay.
SPONTANEITY
Pull
on your sweat clothes, a cap, and your sport shoes. Grab a bottle of water and go for a long
walk--uphill if you can. Notice how your
mind lightens up as you loosen up. Pump
your legs, breathe hard, break a sweat.
Stuck thoughts will loosen.
Emotions will surface. Ideas will
sneak up on you. Let them! See where
they take you. Don't be too quick to
discard them. You may very well come up
with something that sticks--an idea that leads to an article or story that
surprises even you!
That
happened to me. Two of my children’s
books came about in just that way: Let's
Take A Walk on the Beach and Let's
Take A Walk in the City. As I walked
I imagined myself a child of five and looked for all the things he or she would
see on such a walk that would express his or her five senses. Both books sold
to The Child's World.
SERENDIPITY
Spend
a couple of hours a week doing something special--by yourself. Think of it as a
writer's date. It doesn't count if you
take a friend or spouse or child along. This is a time when you give in to your
whimsical side and have fun being alone.
One day I drove to the Carlsbad Flower Fields in my hometown and walked
around for two hours--soaking up the flower power. I came home refreshed, relaxed, and ready to
get to work. I had a productive day
despite the time-out.
Another
time I attended a rehearsal of the local symphony. I found it soothing, comforting, and
insightful to watch the stops and starts that other 'creatives' undergo during
their work day. I returned to my home
office invigorated and more compassionate toward myself. Writing is hard work and it's good to
acknowledge that to myself so I will not be impatient when my output is less
fluid than I want it to be
Treat
yourself to the things that speak to you--an afternoon movie, a visit to a
favorite museum, a bike ride, a spin around the ice rink, a drive to the
mountains, a round of golf--and don't feel guilty about doing so. Think of it as food for your mind--and soul.
Don't
let another week go by without playing--for pay!
Copyright 2002 Karen O'Connor
Karen O'Connor from
http://www.longridgewritersgroup.com
Her latest book, Help,
Lord! I'm Having a Senior Moment… was released in June from Servant
Publications. Visit Karen on the web at:
http://www.karenoconnor.com or contact her by e-mail at:
karen@karenoconnor.com