N Is for Never Never Land

Have you noticed how enticing a blank piece of paper or text block can be? That is, on the days your writing muse is with you and your fingers ache to get information out to the world. That same empty space thwarts you on the days ideas just won't come or real life invades your ability to be creative.

Once I begin typing, I am in another world. I am in Never Never Land--well, the writer's version of it anyway. It's the same sort of feeling I get when I am reading a good book. I can block out the rest of the world and concentrate solely on words, thoughts and ideas.

Have you ever gotten to the end of an article, blog entry or other writing project and wondered where exactly did all that come from? I am amazed at times as to what has flowed from my brain to my fingers. It's like when you're driving a familiar route, and get to Point B from Point A but don't remember the drive between the two.

Maybe it's being in the writer's zone; maybe it's the writer's Never Never Land--whatever it is, it would be difficult to describe to anyone who isn't a writer. I can't imagine I am alone in this experience; does it happen to you, too?

I Is for Ischemia

You may think I'm reaching with the medical term "ischemia," but follow my train of thought for a moment, if you will. Ischemia in terms of health refers to an area of the body receiving too little blood--the area becomes pale and can die.

The same thing can happen with your writing. If you run out of writing mojo, your writing projects may become pale and lifeless. It's tough because the bills and expenses keep piling up, but taking a day for yourself now and then may be just the thing you need to pump blood and life back into your writing.

You say there's no way you can take a day? Then take an hour or two and do something that re-energizes your batteries. For a whole lot of us, the best thing we can do is get some physical activity. Freelance writing is such a sedentary profession; physical activity is just what the doctor ordered--and maybe your writing muse, too.

At the first signs of writing ischemia, take a time-out.