EXERCISE. Sure, you could do some physical exercise . . . but we already touched on those with Tip #1 (Movement) and Tip #2 (Breathing). That may be the extent of exercise for most of us. (Let’s face it, writers as a whole are not the most physically inclined folks.) 

However, today, the type of exercise I’m talking about here is the creative type. To prepare for these exercises, it’s important to change your physical environment. Put your current project away (or move away from your computer!); move to a different room, or go outside. If you’re a purist, you’ll think of these as exercises; I prefer to call them games.

One simple process that’s easy to engage in is to place a writing utensil in the non-writing hand (if you are right-handed, put the pen or pencil in your left hand) and draw figure eights. Try to follow the same pattern as closely as possible. Or draw something else. The point is to allow our mind to “get organized” again and to get back on track. It’s a “mindless” activity that gives the brain a chance to breathe and to reorganize everything it feels compelled to put into order.

Another game I like (and I’m aware it drives some of my writing buddies crazy!) is my Mystery Jar. In this jar, I have placed about 50 slips of paper. Written on each slip of paper is a word or phrase. Examples: feather boa, tube of red lipstick, bloodstain on the bathroom wall, dirt road, crushed watermelon seeds. When it’s time for one of these games, I ceremonially set up some paper and my favorite writing pencils (no computers during this exercise, please!) at a relaxed writing location (dining room table, anyone?). Next I pull 3 slips of paper from the Mystery Jar and then give myself 15 minutes to write a rough draft of a scene using those 3 elements. I find it wonderfully stimulating for my Creative Self, and often, I end up writing something that becomes the seed of a real scene in a real book.

The Mystery Jar is great fun as a group exercise (oops — ‘game’) as well. A dear, departed friend of mine used to invite writers over to her home each Wednesday night for the purpose of exercising their Creative Mind – they came simply to be quiet with like-minded people and just write. The Mystery Jar was one of their favorite games. You’ll be quite surprised at how many different scenarios can be dreamed up using the same 3 items. The real bonus, of course, is that with any exercise (or game!), we are once again writing!

Happy Writing!

Coach Darlene