Comments on: Input and Output: Sara Zarr, Me, & You

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:52:58 +0000

On those days, lately, I’m trying to actually get myself up and away from the computer. I find if I stay there & keep hitting my head against the brick wall, the next day isn’t much better. If I find something else I want/need to do and get it out of the way, somehow I feel more fresh coming back.

And, yes, if you can get a few words out, sometimes everything feels better.

By: Mim Caldwell

Mim Caldwell — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:41:17 +0000

I think I’m currently extremely drained. I can tell on those days that I stare at the screen and nothings helps, nothing comes to mind. I just want to bang my head against the wall.

However, I have been doing my input of reading, and reading and reading. As well as long hot baths at night. Very helpful.

Writing just a bit for me actually does help me get past the whole drained things as well.

I may give myself another day off, and then really get back to work again. I may also start the new project that I want to write, and leave my current WIP to rest awhile.

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:56:22 +0000

I remember that feeling. The boring work just makes you want to get creative with your own stuff, at the same time as you know it’s tiring out your brain.

I know writers who at least let their brains wander a bit, during day-work, and jot down notes for later. But you didn’t hear ME say that, if your boss asks!

By: ajwriters - Jenn

ajwriters - Jenn — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:51:57 +0000

Love this post. It’s always great to know you’re not the only one that gets this way.

Music and relaxing away from the computer and kids helps me recharge. Unfortunately, it is when I am at work and cannot write that I *want* to the most. It would seem that I am as much of a pain in my own rear-end as my characters.

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:46:51 +0000

You DID need that break. I’d forgotten to talk about transitions. We get so excited waiting for the time we can get back to it, that we don’t realize it’s not just an on/off switch.

Congrats on your daughter’s graduation. That’s a biggie!

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:45:27 +0000

It is amazing, Linda. And it’s amazing how wound up we can get doing something we love so much. Guess that’s because it matters to us.

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:44:26 +0000

Oh, stop it before it’s burn out! Luckily, most of us love it so much that it doesn’t take too much to recharge!

Every now and then, cleaning house is a recharge. Friday, it was ironing for me. That’s when I know I’m pretty far gone.

By: Jeanie W

Jeanie W — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:40:20 +0000

My daughter graduated from high school last week. The house was full of relatives and the days full of activities. I had planned that, as soon as they all left, I would dive back into my revisions. I did not. Instead I futzed around on Facebook and Twitter, cleaned the house, and read. Now I’m back into revisions again, and things are progressing well. In retrospect, I think I needed that 3-day break. I’m sure I would have butchered my WIP if I hadn’t given my brain time to breathe.

By: Linda Covella

Linda Covella — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:10:55 +0000

My stories are always floating around my brain, whether in front when writing or in the back when doing other things. I’m sure that’s the case with all writers. New ideas, solutions to plot problems, etc., seem to come when I’m doing something other than focusing on the writing. Gardening, cooking, walking…So I guess the input of everyday things recharges me. In other words, give yourself a break. It’s amazing what a relaxed brain will take in.

By: Shawna

Shawna — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 02:04:19 +0000

You’ve had some very good posts on this subject that have helped me recognize the signs of writer burn out. So thank you.

I watch a movie or read a book or clean house or play in my garden, or with my kids… I guess I do something that does not involve the computer.