Getting my zen on

Hello!

Recently one of my readers sent me a query (by the way I love getting them in my mail).

For the rest of you, you can drop me a message about anything you want me to answer or share under "Contact" in this blog and I will get back to you soon as possible.

She is currently working on a novel as well, and she asked what I do during those days where I get stuck and fed up with writing.

I managed to find a few things to keep me entertained, and refreshed while on a break from writing and I try to do things that don't make me feel guilty about taking a break.

1) Read a book

( I try to read a book which is a different genre from the novel I'm working on ) I feel that by reading, you are subconsciously feeding your brain new ideas, for me it's the best way to get new inspirations i.e other book ideas, or just to get the flow back. Of course no lifting and plagiarizing! P.s I have never met a writer who feels contented by doing that. It is only satisfying when you get your own work out!

2) Colouring

This is not lame! Recently, adult colouring books have hit the stores, even more so than before. I admit this is a new habit. I probably start somewhere around August last year, which was a while before I made the move here. You should try it some time. It's actually therapeutic. I am a visual and auditory learner, so I guess for me it works. Somehow or rather, I always feel refreshed and ready to either continue with my novel or go through it from the start and do some editing.

3) Music

I don't listen to music when I'm reading or writing. It has never worked for me even when I was studying. I hate it. I don't understand how people do it. For me, it's a distraction. However, I listen to music when I am stressed or fed up. Just quiet moments, maybe surf the net a little with nice music at the background. I NEED music whenever I'm traveling, whether it's taking a walk to the store, ride on a bus/train, taking a flight, when I'm out for a jog, yada yada. My favourite tracks are constantly changing. My all time favourites are The XX, Monsters & Men, Coldplay. Right now, the track on replay is Death Song by Bhi Bhiman. Music calms me the f down, and it definitely is a huge part of my life. However, strictly not when I am getting things done as explained earlier. I know, I'm kinda contradictory. I think we all are. Haha. Do whatever works for you guys!

4) Documentaries

I know I say I am a crime junkie all the time. This is true. Sometimes when I get bored I watch any random documentary, it could be about animals, planets, aliens, mermaids. I don't know. I just watch anything that catches my eye. I prefer watching documentaries when I am stressed out with a book rather than a TV series/movie, for reasons I am not entirely sure why. I am guessing it's because it gives me a more realistic feel/idea of whatever I need. I guess inspiration comes from anywhere? I was once inspired by a documentary of a lioness and her cubs to write a short story about step siblings. I don't know how that happened, but it did.

Those are the top 4 things I do when I am faced in that situation. Of course if all of them doesn't work for me, I automatically know I am just pushing myself and I stop. I take a break completely, from writing or reading. I take a break until I myself feel the urge to write again. Like I said before, don't rush to complete anything especially when it comes to writing. There is no point at all. Being disciplined is different from forcing yourself to produce ideas or work. It's like milking a cow when it doesn't have any milk.

What do you do when you can't seem to write at different stages of your novel/poem/lyrics etc?

Talk soon!

Love,

Naia