You’ve heard it. I’ve said it. It tends to get repeated. In order to write something, you have to put your butt in a chair and keep it there.
Well, I have a confession to make. I almost never stick to that plan.
I’m antsy. I’m fidgety. I move when I think. I write, hit a wall, and jump up out of my chair. I walk. I pace. I even dance.
Sometimes, you just got to get your ya-ya’s out.
Are you a fidgety writer? It’s okay. Get up from your chair and stretch a bit. Make yourself a cup of tea or whatever beverage you prefer. Put on some music and shake your money maker. Just don’t stray too far. Keep your mind on your writing and your writing on your mind.
Moving helps you get your thoughts flowing. Often, you can boogie your way past a block or tango your way out of a tangle. You just might find your solution somewhere in the middle of your cha cha cha.
When you do, head back to the chair and let the good words roll.
Do a little dance, make a little cup, get it down tonight. Oh, yeah, baby!
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Ha! I love this! Truth be told the actual writing or drawing is done when you sit in the chair but the flow of ideas more often comes in times of movement (at least for me). I’m so glad you wrote this post the only other time I read something related to this was an article about Einstein that said he often got his breakthroughs when he walked away from his chair. Here’s to dancing (cha cha cha) and then getting back to the chair
Cha Cha Chair?
Totally agree! I finally bought a tiny digital recorder so i could record the brilliant ideas that showed up as soon as I started walking around the track at the park or driving my car down an interstate.
At home, I definitely move to music and pace around – and I’ll confess that I also talk to the walls! (or pillows or stuffed animals..) It helps to imagine talking to them a group of my audience face-to-face. And stop thinking I’m a nut case – I only talk for my side – I don’t carry on conversations – honest I don’t…..
Oh, don’t worry. I’ve given lots of talks to the moon and stars while standing in my driveway.
I’ve found that when I’m walking the dog, or to work, or wherever, problems seem to resolve themselves. I’ll just be walking along and suddenly I’ll have an idea about how to connect pieces together, or to fix a problem with a necklace I’m making. Moving the body seems to free the mind to figure things out on its own without you interfering with it ;^)
Wendy Edsall-Kerwin´s last blog ..February Artist of the Month – Sara Westermark
You’re not the only one.
“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking” Friedrich Nietzsche
I spend a lot of time on the road so most of my creativity stems from having time to think it through. Most of my blog post ideas are created while in my car.
Michele´s last blog ..Bringin’ Home the Bacon…
I’ve actually gone for drives in the middle of the night for that very reason.
I am definently a fidgety writer, I usually get the title befoer the story is hashed out. The title floats around in my head for awhile until I get up the courage to sit down and tap out the story. I usually take long breaks, followed by incessant internet surfing, novel reading, and cheezit binges…hey we all have our processess, don’t we…smile
Tarsha Semakula´s last blog ..Arts Workshops Rates
Starting with a title or a phrase or even an image is a great way to get things written. My notebook is filled with little lines and phrases that came to me and later became poems or blog posts.