This is kind of a tag-along to an earlier blog about the writing process, but it made me think a little more in depth about what goes on with writing when you’re not actually writing.
Let’s face it, no one writes all of the time. Chances are, if you’re not a full time author, you have to work. That will eat up a good 20-40 hours a week (personally I have to go for the latter, but ah, perhaps someday . . .). And if you’re not a hermit, you’ve probably got friends, family, and so on to fill up your evenings and weekends. Any time left is always eroded by pesky things like housework, yardwork, day to day toil of laundry, garbage and so on.
After setting aside quality time for writing what do you do with that other fifteen minutes or so you have free each week?
Yeah, I hear you.
I’ve often wondered if creativity begets more creativity.
For my own self, I tend to be drawn to other creative activities such as reading, movies, and investigating into the “strange” and the “weird.” Reading is a big side line for me. I do love a good book. However, I tend to read in spurts—devouring several novels in a row (because apparently I was that hungry) and then I’m full and I don’t read again for a while . . . and that opens up all kinds of fifteen minutes-es when I’m not in the mood.
I don’t really have a thing for physical creative endeavors like painting or sculpting or other hands on artistic pursuits, though I did go through a phase where I really liked drawing. I’m not great at it, and it’s not a hobby I follow regularly, but I can understand how you can get lost in the physical creative pursuits. Creativity comes in all shapes, sizes and motifs and it seems that delving into one makes it more likely to check out others—at least that’s my theory.
Either way, when I need a break from writing or am in between stories, I hike down other creative roads. I think it helps me re-energize. Try it. Or at least think about what revs your creative juices.
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