The elusive, “writing zone” is a small bandwidth of consciousness that exists in the creative mind when we’re at our peak of creativity. For our creativity to be at its peak we must be as healthy, in both body and mind, as we can be. We’ve all read about the well-documented exploits of famous writers and how they regularly used drugs, alcohol, and even caffeine to ignite their spark of creativity but this almost never has a good final outcome. I’ve found there are many positive and healthy choices that writers can make to enhance our creativity without the negative repercussions.
“It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think you were born that way.” – Ernest Hemingway
Science has proven that adequate sleep is vital to the proper functioning of our bodies and minds. Something as simple as getting the proper amount and quality of sleep can make the difference between a productive writing session and sitting for hours staring at a computer screen or blank piece of paper. People have different sleep requirements and preferences. I prefer to go to sleep well before midnight and rise early and I need at least seven, ideally eight hours of sleep, to function at peak efficiency. If I get less sleep than that it’s futile to try to write anything of quality.
Sometimes it’s not always easy to get the proper amount of sleep but we can take measures to ensure the quality of our sleep is the best it can be. I try to lay down and read a good book for at least fifteen minutes before I fall asleep, this usually always relaxes me. When it’s time to fall asleep I make sure the bedroom is dark and quiet (except for the white noise of a fan, or humidifier in the winter). It’s also a practice to make the bedroom a, “No Electronics Zone” limiting the use of mobile phones and tablets while in bed. These devices can easily cause us to lose track of time. I mean who hasn’t been sucked into Facebook or Candy Crush and felt that rush of adrenaline when they realized it’s almost one A.M. and the alarm will be going off in four or five hours?
One of the best tools by far that I’ve found to enhance both writing and well-being is meditation. In my experience, most creative people are sensitive to begin with but meditation will deepen this sensitivity. I first incorporated meditation into my life twenty years ago when I was suffering from anxiety and depression. Meditation played such a huge role in allowing me to overcome these afflictions that I wrote a book about it. I feel that meditation the ultimate key to healing us and allowing us to become more than we are. I promise you that a simple ten or fifteen minute daily meditation routine will make you a better writer by strengthening your ability to focus and access an inexhaustible source of creativity that exists within you.
“Meditation is a powerful way to enhance your attention, develop your ability to think mindfully, and to use the unlimited creative potential of your mind.” ― Ilchi Lee
The act of meditating brings you more in tune with the subtleties of your soul and the environment around you. The results aren’t immediate but they will undoubtedly appear, you must only have a little patience and regular practice, even if it’s five minutes per day. There are many resources out there, both online and in book form, to teach you the practice of meditation. Different styles and techniques of meditation work for different people but the most important thing is getting started in your search to discover what works best for you.
Many writers, such as Philip Roth and Kay Ryan, have shared they find exercise a necessary component to fuel their creative spark. I use different types of exercise for different reasons. If I have writer’s block, I typically go for a walk or work in the garden. The simple and relaxing act of walking has a way of resetting my mind and the ideas always begin to flow again. Gardening also never fails to reconnect with my vein of creativity. There is something about immersing yourself in the natural world that helps to clear away the negative thoughts and feelings and gets you right back into creative mode again.
It’s almost impossible to write anything of quality when we’re feeling stressed or worried for any reason. When I’m in this uneasy frame of mind I use yoga or tai chi to calm and coax me back into the creative mindset again. I rely on yoga and tai chi DVDs but if you prefer the support of a group setting can always check into regular classes in your area. These modes of exercise also have the added benefits of helping to alleviate the soreness and stiffness associated with one of the pitfalls of being an author, sitting for extended periods of time.
If you’re feeling particularly lethargic or mentally exhausted and feel like you can’t possibly write another word cardiovascular exercise works better than caffeine to boost your energy and improve your mood. Mind you, it takes discipline to want to to start anything strenuous when you feel like your energy is depleted but it works without fail. If I’m feeling particularly blah and under a tight writing deadline, I’ll hop on my bike and take a strenuous ride or walk for twenty to thirty minutes on the NordicTrack. After a few minutes of this kind of exercise I’ll usually need to stop and jot down ideas on my iPhone. I’ve written volumes of poetry this way. It’s important to start your writing session immediately after your exercise routine while your creativity is at its peak.
Cardiovascular exercise can also be a useful tool for those writers who have an overabundance of energy. I often find it difficult to write if I haven’t been able to expend enough energy, especially if the weather is particularly nice outside. I’ll sit at the computer with my legs bouncing with my mind unfocused and racing in a million different directions. When I feel like a child trapped in a boring classroom when he’d rather be on recess I allow myself a break and will take that bike ride or will cut the grass and then after I’m done I come back to the computer ready to work. The time I take to expend the energy almost always pays off in writing that truly satisfies my soul.
The key is to become more in tune with your body and mind and then find a form of exercise that you enjoy. Then you must learn when and how to use these tools to your advantage. Any form of cardiovascular exercise that increases your heart rate for an extended amount of time will boost your body’s endorphins naturally. You will find that when used in the proper way all of these activities will help you to get in the mood to fill up those blank pages in no time.
Cheers to the miracle of creativity! I hope you find yours to be quick and limitless.
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*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.
Eric Vance Walton - Media
