As writers, we often spend a lot of time decorating our workspaces and tailoring them to help inspire us. There are lots of posts out there on the internet that suggest ways to make your workspace more comfortable or more appealing. By nature, writers often spend time in one spot for long periods of time, so it makes sense to invest time and money into our workspaces. But maybe we’re investing too much time. You can still decorate your workspace in a special way, but it might be a good idea to get away from it now and then.
In a recent guest post on Chuck Wendig’s Terrible Minds blog, author Delilah S. Dawson offered up some writing hacks. One of these hacks entailed getting away from where you normally write. She says, “….your brain will perk up if you get out into the world with a freshly bathed bod, feeling vibrant and being among other human beings. Listen to conversations at the coffee shop, take an interesting class, browse a bookstore, see a movie, go to Sephora, visit a zoo or pet store. It can be very easy, as a writer, to get into a vicious cycle of sitting in your house like a mole doing nothing and staring at a blank screen, furious because the writing won’t come.”
I think this is a great idea and a great piece of advice. No matter how many inspirational photos you put up in your workspace, outside stimulation might be just the thing to get your mind working. Hearing other conversations might give you an idea for some dialogue in your story. Seeing interactions might prompt you to complete a scene that you’re writing. Just being out and away from where you usually spend time writing can unexpectedly kickstart your mind. You can find inspiration in other people, in new settings, and even other pieces of fiction.
If you’re feeling stuck or like you’re suffering from writer’s block, try getting away from your desk. Being in a new environment may give you some new ideas. Happy writing!
— Jet Fuel Blog Editor, Mary Egan
