A Writer’s Necessary Diversion
We all need to get away from our computers—take a break from hours of writing—clear our heads. I’m usually home alone during the day so I can get a lot done. But it’s uncanny how one of our three dogs, the 1-year old Golden Retriever, knows when it’s time for Dad to get up and do something else for while … like play! Sammi will lay on my feet or jump up on me until I give her some attention. She doesn’t take no for an answer. She knows what buttons to push, how to put on that certain cute face that makes me melt.
So I load up the the SUV with the three girls, Sammi, Zoey, and Rika and we head off to Dry Creek, which is an open-space park where dogs can go off leash—run, play, even swim.
It’s these times that I can recharge and let my imagination run free. Often ideas come to me for books I’m not even working on yet, concepts still in their embryonic stages.
As a full time writer, I need my alone time. But time spent with the dogs provides just enough diversion to let me get somewhat out of my head, but not totally switch gears to the point I’m no longer in creative mode.
I’ve talked to other writers about this … what diversions they have that actually boosts their creative juices, even if it means getting up away from their actual writing.
I’d be interested in hearing what your own diversions are!
One of the diversions that comes a bit randomly for me is a call for help from others… not some dramatic “my life is falling in around me” call, but a simple request for my advice or my opinion.
What this type of diversion does for me, when I welcome it, is it validates the hope that I have something of worth and substance to say. When I was in my twenties and we all actually did think our world was caving in every time there was a break up or a car wreck or a bad grade, I became seasoned at being the voice of reason for the people in my life.
Now our lives are more settled and happy for the most part. Still, when there is some life dilemma, be it an annoying co-worker or the need for a little design advice, I am someone that my people seek out. This for me not only turns into usable dialogue in some cases but just helps me to remember how profoundly words can impact the human soul. Words can create all kinds of emotions, and written words are a private experience between the text and the reader.
This type of diversion helps me to believe in the power of words, and in my ability to deliver them effectively. Because I struggle with confidence it just helps to have my most heartfelt hope reinforced– that I have something of value to say.