One time when in the middle of writing a novel, I got stuck. I didn’t know how I was going to proceed. And with a full-time job, I had only a half-hour in the mornings to write.
My solution was to put a calligraphy class to use by filling a small notebook with italic handwriting. For text, what I wrote became a mythological background to that fairy tale I was reimagining. And eventually I reached the end of that first draft.
Calligraphy for me is not work but play. I don’t expect to ever have a perfect script. My ego is not bound up in it. Play feeds creativity.
When Dogs Play
Sophie is most often playful after a meal. She’ll grab a toy and make it squeak. Or she’ll tease Wayne by coming to me while he’s trying to get her harnessed for their evening walk.
When my sisters came to visit last fall, one brought her dog, Rooney. Sophie and Rooney ignored each other most of the time. But after a meal, Sophie would be ready to spar with Rooney. Then they’d return to their napping.
Creativity Needs to be Fed
Play makes a good meal for the creative side of the brain. My Muse needs a quiet mind to work with. Revising my verse novel often feels like play, but usually I silence my busy mind by relaxing with book or DVD. Or a long walk. Or my tai chi class.
Years ago, I realized I would never be able to write for a living. Work under pressure? Panic! Fear! Desperation! Nope, nope, nope. I needed a regular job, thank you very much.
But a few weeks back, I set myself a goal of writing a blog every Sunday to be published on Wednesdays.
Ooops. Here comes that pressure again!
So, can anybody tell me how to turn a weekly goal into something fun?
Kate Harrington 