When Your Writing Well Runs Dry

Has your writing well ever ran dry? Be honest. It probably has, right? I know mine has. During those times I've felt like giving up, like I don't have any good ideas, and like I should have really written extra blog posts as backups for when the well wasn't flowing as freely as I'd like.

I've recently gone through a dry spell. I've felt as if I just didn't have anything to write, or say. Oh, I've still been writing. I just haven't felt as inspired, motivated, or like my writing well was overflowing with brilliant creativity. In a sense, I guess I've really felt burnt out - as in fried to a crisp! Melissa Donovan refers to it as Freelance Fever. That definitely makes sense.

Life's chaos brings exhaustion, overworked minds, and nowhere near enough hours in the day to tend to daily tasks and find enough quiet time to focus on quality writing. I'm the type of person who needs quiet to write, so if the phone rings or a knock comes at the door... that's it, I'm sidetracked - as in lost my train of thought and wonder how I'll get it back.

When your writing well runs dry, here's a few things you can do:

1. Rest whenever possible. You need your health to be able to function and think properly. Give it the respect it deserves and give yourself some time to re-energize - even if it's just a few short moments of peace with a hot cup of tea.

2. Exercise frequently. It's proven that exercise sends signals to your brain. Your entire body will thank you and your mind will be stronger, sharper. You'll write more efficiently if you make exercise a habit.

3. Write backup posts for your blog. Like I mentioned earlier, I should have done this myself for those busy or dry times. It's a great idea and I'm working on a few right now so I won't find myself in a pinch again. You can also ask for guest posts.

4. Surround yourself with inspiration. Pictures of loved ones, motivational quotes or poems, decorative cups for your pens, and your favorite books are all things that will make you feel more inspired to write.

5. Eat a healthy diet. It's essential for a strong body and mind. For me, there's no exception to this rule. After losing over 100 pounds and realizing how much better I can feel, I make it a top priority to eat healthful meals every day, drink lots of herbal tea and water, and juice fast at various times throughout the year. Just think, if you're not carbed out on french fries and donuts, you'll have a lot more energy to write!

With these tips, your writing well should be overflowing abundantly in no time. I know mine is! So, what do you do when your writing well runs dry? Share with us in the comments!

Are you following the poll? Vote for your favorite blog entry!

And... Be sure to drop by Writing FORWARD. Melissa Donovan is running an awesome contest!



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123, 6 Things About Me

As promised, I'm catching up on meme posts this weekend.

Janna, at Something She Wrote, has asked me to participate in the 123 Meme.

Here are the rules:

1) Pick up the book nearest you
2) Open to page 123
3) Find the 5th sentence
4) Post the following 3 sentences
5) Tag five others

The book nearest to me is Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul: Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirits of Writers. It's a great book that I'm enjoying very much. It's nice to draw strength, encouragement, and inspiration from writers who have persisted and made it.

Page 123 is actually a cover page for the fourth chapter. There's only a quote:

Find a subject you care about and which in your heart you feel others should care about. It is the genuine caring, and not your games with language, which will be the most compelling and seductive element in your style.

- Kurt Vonnegut

I like this quote. I think it's simple, yet powerful all at once.


Onto the other Meme...

Mary, at Mary's Writing Nook, would like me to share 6 unimportant habits or quirks about myself...

Here are the rules:

1 Link to the person that tagged you.

2 Post the rules on your blog.

3 Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.

4 Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

5 Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Since this is a writing-related blog, I'll share six things about my writing life.

1. If someone is talking, I'll sometimes write down part of what they said and part of what I was thinking.

2. Writing with a pink pen or in a pink notebook makes me happy.

3. I'd rather write than eat, or write while eating.

4. I'm addicted to making lists.

5. I like to write poems for family members as gifts.

6. I drink herbal tea when I write.


Now, I'm supposed to tag others. This time I'm going to break the rules and open the comments to anyone who'd like to participate. Either share with us in the comments, or write your own post and come back and leave a link. I do hope at least a few of you jump in and share!


Just a reminder....

Don't forget to vote for your favorite blog entry! :-)

And... Be sure to drop by Writing FORWARD. Melissa Donovan is running an awesome contest!

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Freelance Fiction in February

So, I was cruising the cyber highway one day when I happened upon a cozy hangout. G's Cottage is the perfect haven along this virtual road to grab a cup of hot tea, pull up a chair, plop your laptop on the table in front of you and get those Writing Thoughts recorded once and for all!

Mary's Writing Nook is another inviting place to explore. Snuggle up with your favorite throw, in your comfy chair, and study those Writer's Notes!

I was talking with my friend and she said, "Becoming Addicted to Writing is very easy to do for us ladies, isn't it?" That is so true. Oh, but wait.... Please forgive Sylvia's Insight (as well as my own) - we mustn't forget about Men with Pens!

There's talk of those who are a Freelance Parent finding it difficult to merely get their Words on the Page in the midst of a Functional Shmunctional life. But regardless how chaotic the Life of a Writer is, we have to keep Writing FORWARD if we're ever going to find success on the cyber highway.

Dana Prince, Valencia, and Barrie Summy were gossiping about Katharine Swan when all of a sudden, there was a scream. "Argh!" Becca said, "There's Ink in My Coffee!" For shame. It was such a nice day and there were even Black-eyed Susan's in a beautiful vase on the table.

If you're trying to Make Money Freelance Writing come enjoy the benefits and Write-from-Home. Did you know you'll produce Confident Writing when The Urban Muse visits? Yes, and once you quit Rambling Stuff and take Ancient One's advice, the Story Teller will come out in you and everyone will notice that your Award is Showing.

Beth Morrissey was reading The Life & Times of JB when she saw an ad for JWardArt. She was left alone to enjoy the paper because Mikster, Jessica Mousseau, and Allena decided to take a stroll through Tina's Odds and Ends.

My Journey in the Writer's Round-About has been quite the trip down the cyber Corridors. It's been so crazy some days, I've just wanted to hide away in Renie Burghardt's World!

Ah, but it's so nice when we hear: Something She Wrote was approved by A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye. Watch out for the Wordsmith, though!

Always remember when your writing well seems dry, Good is the Enemy of Great!


Note:
This fun and silly story is fictional link love for all my fabulous readers who commented in January. If you weren't included, you either didn't comment last month or I somehow overlooked you. If you commented in January and aren't included, let me know and I'll write you in!

To all my faithful readers:
Thank you, each and every one of you, for following and joining me as I travel the cyber highway. On days I feel like giving up (yes, even I have those days), I'm sure to check this blog and find encouragement, thoughtful comments, and gentle criticism and advice to brighten my day and surround me with cyber hugs. I am forever grateful.

I can truly say that I love this community and cherish the variety of unique voices each of you bring to it. I appreciate your friendship and kindness. May you find continued success in your writing journey.

Just a reminder...

Don't forget to Vote for your favorite blog entry!



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I Need Your Help!

I entered the WRA's New Design Launch Contest and now it's time to choose a winner. Why do I need you, my faithful readers? I need your vote! If you are so inclined, kindly speed the cyber highway and vote for me. What will I win? One of these incredible Amazon Gift Certificates: $100 - 1st Place, $50 - 2nd Place, or $25 - 3rd Place.

Here's where you need to vote:

You Decide the Winner!

Well, if you don't vote for me I'll still extend... (((Cyber Hugs))) and Smiles :-)

May the best entry win!

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