It’s amazing how much your health affects your writing. Not just your desire to write, buy your thought process, your focus, and ability to follow through. Have you ever tried writing in a particular mood then come back later to find the character was depressed when she should have been angry, or happy when she should have been scared?
I’m not saying we should use every little twinge and cough to avoid writing. If that were the case I’d never be at the computer. There’s a certain age where you start to fall apart and if you waited until you felt good you’d never do it. But there are things I can do to keep myself as healthy as possible so I can be the best me possible for writing. Things like exercise, healthy eating habits and regular sleep. I know, trying to fit all that in around all the other stuff we have to do isn’t always easy. However, health is a tool in our writer’s toolbox. One we often overlook in our rush to get things done.
It’s Friday! Hooray! Anyone have any fun plans this weekend? I plan to sleep. A lot.
Thanks for the reminder. ...will get back to the gym next week. :)
ReplyDeleteHopefully me too. Have fun...
DeleteI second your efforts to maintain good health. Our health affects all that we do, and when we feel good, in such a positive way. I've got a quiet weekend planned, tying up some loose ends on my publishing to-do list.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on that list. Do you ever finish a publishing to-do list?
DeleteI think sleeping is a great plan. I think it's also healthy to get away from the laptop once in awhile and just go outside and see what else is going on in the world. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteVery true, health isn't just about the body, but the mind and soul too.
DeleteSleep sounds good to me! It's funny, I never have problems when I'm barelling through a first draft. I'm always on such a story high. But everything that comes after, all the editing and rewriting, I have to bribe myself to do. I just know I'd work better with deadlines, which is why I need an agent! [vbg]
ReplyDeleteYea, I hadn't slept in a few days, so last night was pretty good despite the time change.
DeleteFirst drafts create their own mood don't they. It tends to transcend anything else.
I've never thought about this as an important tool for writing. But, yes, if the writer isn't feeling well, then the story has a difficult time pushing forward. I exercise but my eating habits are terrible--I love sweets. Blast them. Will have to work on that to keep my body in tip top form for writing. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI love sweets too. I can't give them up completly or I go all crazy and binge and it's not pretty. I just have to limit myself. I like to save them for when I'm writing. My me time with me food. Perfect.
DeleteI was just thinking about this last week. I was feeling pretty down because I've been physically sick for a while, and I couldn't stand the thought of writing something happy. All I wanted to do was write the most depressing work possible. Glad someone else has noticed this, too.
ReplyDeleteHope you've gotten some good sleep!
When I'm physically sick it's so hard to do anything. It makes me so impressed with people who have long term health issues but still manage to be happy caring people. I turn into a snarling beast.
DeleteThis is too true! There have been evenings where I've sat down in a fairly foul mood to write, and after a short while realized that no, it just wasn't going to work correctly. There was no soldiering on to be done or roughing it out. My mind simply wasn't there. But eating well and getting out of the house for a walk is great advice for boosting your mood!
ReplyDeleteVery true. Depending on the mood I can write myself out of it but if I'm hurting physically it's hard.
Deletelol, I remember once I was under the weather and I wrote a scene and the poor character ended up being miserable. lol. Apart from exercise to keep the blood flowing, and healthy eating to keep the brain functioning, I also use music to adjust my mood for writing.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people use music. I personally can't listen to it while I write but I'm glad it works for others.
DeleteSara, I have passed on the Liebster Blog Award to you. Please see my blog for more info. I hope you don't mind. :)
ReplyDeleteOf course I don't mind! I'm flattered. Thanks for thinking of me!
DeleteI struggle with this. I need to get my rest but there are SO many things that need to be done. Then I end up muddling through writing.
ReplyDeleteI hope you were able to rest over the weekend.
Finding that balance is hard. I maybe should have mentioned that the reason I needed sleep was because I hadn't in three days. So much for balance.
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