Often, people who love to write will tell you that we eat, live, and breathe writing. Our minds rarely turn off. We’re usually thinking about the plot, the next scene, or conversations our characters are having. We tend to eavesdrop on conversations around us to get a feel for what folks might be thinking, feeling, or wondering, and we go back to their words later, and we file them away for future use.
Writers tend to think in the abstract. Our brains go in a hundred different directions. (That can be kind of disconcerting to friends and family members. It’s a little awkward when your spouse says, “Honey, what’s for dinner tonight?” and you reply, “Oh, I thought we’d have a delicious conflict, er…casserole…with some tasty resolution–I mean, garlic bread.”)
Speaking from my own experience, I’ve had to learn to harness my spurts of creativity from time to time. I’ve learned (and am still learning) to compartmentalize a little better so I can stay on the task at hand and accomplish more throughout my hectic days.
It’s not without difficulty because I’d rather be writing more than anything in the whole world. Well, almost anything. God and family are still my priorities. Then writing. And heaven knows…I do adore a good garage sale!
To help me stay focused, I try to connect with others who can identify with this roller coaster I’m riding at present. Writers groups, social media, library enthusiasts are helpful in my journey. When I surround myself with like-minded folks, it stabilizes me and keeps me grounded. I’m more attentive to the task at hand, so therefore, I’m actually able to accomplish more.
On days when I’m feeling a bit lonesome in my solitary world when it’s just me and the ol’ computer, I’ll recall the phrase, “Birds of a feather flock together.” I’ll take off to the library for an hour. I’ll email another writer. Maybe I’ll chat with a lover of the written word at Starbucks. I immediately gain new perspective, and I’m free once again to create. It helps me see that what I do really is important. Connecting with other “birds” makes it seem more of a reality, too.
Questions for you to ponder…Does it help YOU to connect with birds of a feather? What are some of the ways you do this?
Comments 3
I didn’t realize how much I liked (or needed) to connect with others until I joined Facebook. I joined a writers group a couple years ago–mostly to get a friend involved in a writing community–but with an open mind that God had a reason for prompting ME to invite her. Now I need to stop “connecting” so much and do more writing. 🙂 I also think a MAID is in order…lol
You’re among my favorite birds to flock with!
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Thank you for your comments, Patti and Sarah! Yes, write ladies, write! We can do it!