Comments on: When you take a break, take a break!

By: Carole

Carole — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 20:34:00 +0000

I too would agree getting the poison out of your body will provide relief. However, in this instance it sounds like however unwanted in the form it chose to come to you- You rallied and used it to the best of your ability. Providing a re-entry to writing- So your write breaker propelled you even further. How wonderful! and for it to become another way to move us past our “writers block” Thanks for sharing.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 01:00:00 +0000

In reply to yehudit. Thanks for the reminder re: this book, Yehudit. I'm going to get it out of the library.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:59:00 +0000

In reply to callenwo. For sure, taking a break will really help!

By: callenwo

callenwo — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 16:18:00 +0000

Thanks for this– I’m getting ready for a 5-day getaway to the beach (a place that feeds my soul the way the desert seems to feed yours), and I will talk with my boyfriend about both of us not taking any work, and just relaxing, playing, reading, eating, and sleeping. I have a big writing deadline April 1, but maybe taking a break will HELP me meet it. What a thought.

By: yehudit

yehudit — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 06:37:00 +0000

In reply to Techjunkie13. Techjunkie, Twyla Tharp, in her book The Creative Habit, recommends doing exactly what you did to break out of a rut or through a block. She says that by moving, one engages the mind differently, which helps change how you express yourself, and helps develop your creativity When you go back to your usual method, you have a new way of working with it.

By: yehudit

yehudit — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 06:33:00 +0000

In reply to Daphne Gray-Grant. Absolutely! It's just that my religion builds it in, and no matter how tempted I might be to work, say, 10 or 20 days straight, I don't. It simply would not be right.

By: Techjunkie13

Techjunkie13 — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 22:50:00 +0000

Art is my escape from writing. Keep in mind my artistic skills are best defined as straight lines with an occasional circle. I’m stuck in a creative dead zone when words or literary phrases begin to look silly. it’s break time.
The usual process is for me to exercise, and usually works for five push-ups, or five minutes, before I zip back to writing. I can’t afford to travel and needed to find a write breaker.
I tried zentangle, drawing simple triangles, and without realizing I’d spent a week drawing, stretching to two weeks.
When I resumed writing my dead zone lay behind and I pressed on. I’m dyslexic and writing is a difficult craft, however drawing silly shapes and odd looking objects is my write breaker. It’s not the most ideal solution but whatever works, right?

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 21:55:00 +0000

In reply to yehudit. Having a weekly break is important even for those who aren't religious.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 21:54:00 +0000

In reply to Ladybgood. It's really important to start small and establish a record of achievement. So, for example, you might resolve to write for 5 minutes per day (five days per week.) Or 25 words per day (five days per week.) Make your initial goal so easy there is no chance of failing at it. Then, work from there.

By: Ladybgood

Ladybgood — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 21:19:00 +0000

Oh thankyou for saying this. I signed on with habitforge.com and committed to writing so many words each day. Sometimes I just can’t do it and I beat myself over the head for not keeping up.. Next commitment I’ll commit for fewer days.