The beautiful scenery that helped me recharge this weekend…
I haven’t been doing much writing lately. I find it hard to write when it’s so hot outside (I only have AC in my living room). My writing seems to have a circadian flow, producing a lot of new writing in the spring and fall, and recharging in the summer and winter.
Sometimes recharging can involve editing, and of course editing is also writing, but this time period also involves a lot of thinking about projects without actually touching them. And a lot of reading and watching movies/TV. When I run out of writing steam, I have to recharge and refill the well of creativity.
In the summer, as opposed to the winter, I have more opportunities to recharge by going out and doing fun things. This past weekend I went on a yoga/hiking retreat, and I’ve also be able to go to the beach and several concerts in addition to going on other hikes and road trips and socializing.
Do you ever find yourself in need of a creativity recharge? Here are a few things I do when the words are not flowing:
- read a book (or 20)
- binge-watch Netflix
- watch movies. a lot of them.
- go on a hike
- knit
- sign up for yoga workshops
- attend outdoor music/dance shows
- go to the beach (and read)
- road trip
- clean out my closets
- rearrange my bookshelves
- go shopping
- create covers for books I haven’t written yet
- write blog posts
I’m not sure if this is one of those lists one might want to aspire to, but it is what I actually do, so know that you are not alone! And none of these things are bad. As an introvert, there are times when I just need to get out of my own head for a little while.
Now I can feel a hint of fall in the air, and I just might be ready to start producing new writing soon! My next project is to finally finish The Blood Countess, that WIP I’ve had lying around for years…
Work in Progress 
I know I’m going to miss my recharging at the beach days, as the air gets nippier. On the other hand, I can’t wait to see how 12X12 and story storm, which both start in winter, will help spark up some new ideas….
What is story storm? Sounds like a great way to get a new idea!
Yes! It’s run by Tara Lazar, I believe, and I think it’s in January or February or March of each year… I think the idea is to come up with a picture book story every day of the month. I don’t see why it couldn’t also translate for YA. I would look into it!!!
I’m more productive in spring and fall, as well. I got a kick out of the second to last item on your list, sounds like me. I can spend hours fiddling around with pictures while procrastinating or putting the cart before the horse. But now that it’s September, happy writing!
I love that it isn’t just me who’s more inspired to write in fall and spring! I do love to have some visual inspiration for the tone of what I’m writing. I guess you could call the unwritten book covers a vision board?