Is Your Writing Making You Sick? By Patti Jo Moore

If you’re a writer who is struggling with a story at the moment—whether a weak plot, flat characters, or a sagging middle—you might read my blog title and scream “YES!!” Maybe you’re sick of your story at the moment, with the word “sick” implying that you feel aggravated, frustrated, and even ready to give up. *GASP* If that describes you, maybe it’s time for a break. Step away from your computer (or pen and paper), and do something else. But only for a little while. It’s so important to come back to the writing. Preferably within the year. 😊

Other writers might say they’re sick from their writing, but this type is physical. No, we cannot catch a horrible virus from the words we’re typing, but when we become so focused on our writing that we neglect our physical health, we pay the price. Yes, this is all common sense, but sometimes we need these little reminders (at least I know I sure do) of some small changes that might help us.

If you write on a computer, be sure to take care of your eyes. Staring at the screen too long is not good for our vision. Headaches? They might be due to the eye strain. Back pain? Maybe you need a different chair or even a simple change such as putting pillows for support behind your back. As we all know, staying seated for too long at a time is never good, especially as we age (ahem) and our bodies become a bit stiffer. Not a pretty truth, but still a truth. 😉

In addition to our physical health, sometimes our emotions need a boost when we’ve been so consumed with our writing. Often a change of scenery in our writing environment is exactly what is needed. I have many friends who take their laptops to a coffee shop and write. I’ll admit I haven’t tried this, only because I’d end up chatting with everyone around me instead of writing! But even if there’s not a convenient place for you to visit and write, changing to a different part of your home might help. I am a “window person”—I love a room with windows! Thankfully my office room has a nice window beside my computer, so I can pause when needed and look out at the birds and squirrels in my Elm trees. Even a few minutes of not staring at the screen can often provide the break we need.

Being productive in our writing doesn’t have to mean neglecting our health---mental, physical, or emotional. Here’s to healthy habits for happy writers! 😊

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3

Sadie's Dream

In a coastal Georgia town in 1900, a young woman prepares to serve as a missionary in Africa.

After being jilted the previous year, she's certain she's meant to remain single.

When she meets a handsome businessman from Savannah, she begins struggling with doubts.

Over time she learns that the Lord's plans are best, and dreams really can come true.

Patti Jo Moore is a retired kindergarten teacher and lifelong Georgia girl. She loves Jesus, her family, cats, and coffee, and is blessed to be published with Forget-Me-Not Romances. When she’s not spending time with her family (including her sweet grandbaby) or writing her “Sweet, Southern Stories” Patti Jo can be found feeding cats—her own six and local strays.

She loves connecting with readers and other writers, and can be found on Facebook at Author Patti Jo Moore or her personal blog at http://catmomscorner.blogspot.com

Writers Need Recess, Too by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu

Writers write better when they have recess.

A scientific study reported on the radio recently found (again) that children learn better when they have recess. This is not news to parents or teachers.

One website says, “Research dating back to the late 1800s indicates that people learn better and faster when their efforts are distributed, rather than concentrated. That is, work that includes breaks and down time proves more effective than working in long stretches.”*

Recess increases focus and reduces stress. As a side note, physical activity feeds the brain.

So how does this relate to writing? Your work is more effective if you take occasional breaks. I know increased focus and reduced stress helps me when I’m working on a novel. I have found that periodically I need to get up and walk around. If I don’t, I get brain fog.

Occasionally I see Facebook posts from an author who has written 10,000 words in a single day. Probably no breaks there! Perhaps under deadline, you may be forced to reduce or at least shorten your breaks. But you’ll still need to take those “recesses.”

Some authors suggest setting a timer for twenty minutes. Write furiously for that time, then take a five-minute break, get something to drink (water is always good!), reset the timer, and get back to work.

Writers Need Recess, Too

This is known as the Pomodoro Technique, developed in the late 1980s. A time management researcher based the practice on the idea that frequent breaks improve mental agility. He suggested using a timer to break work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes long, separated by short breaks. (Trivia note: The name comes from the Italian word for tomato, because an apple-shaped kitchen timer was used in the study.)

Given other research about physical activity, another approach might be to work longer (say, an hour), then take fifteen or twenty minutes for aerobic or strength exercises. Take a brisk walk, do jumping jacks (yeah, right!), or practice your ballet moves. The important thing is to get up and get moving in order to keep the creative juices flowing.

Several websites and books offer methods to help you determine the optimum time for your work sessions and recess periods. Try Googling “work rhythms” or “twenty minute break” to find lots of resources—some good, some not-so-good. But choose carefully and experiment, and you should be able to learn the work-recess pattern that works for you.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need a recess. I think I’ll go do some jumping jacks. Just kidding! But a walk around the block sounds good.

What technique works for you to keep your creativity and productivity flowing?

About the Author

Thirsting for More
by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu began telling stories soon after she learned to talk. At age seven, she convinced neighborhood kids to perform a play she had written. She wrote her first book, “I Came from Venus,” in eighth grade, but studied journalism in college. After a career writing for newspapers, magazines, governments, and nonprofits, she returned to her first love—writing fiction—at the age of fifty-five. Her debut novel, For Such a Moment, won the Books of Hope Contest. Thirsting for More, the second book in the Mended Vessels series, released in April 2015. Books in the series are contemporary re-imaginings of the stories of biblical women, including Esther and the woman at the well. Marie retired after 15 years with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and she and her husband now divide their time between Florida and Iowa.

Thirsting for More
Northern transplant Victoria Russo moves to the charming southern city of Charleston, South Carolina, from cold Connecticut, hoping to renovate her career, her life, and an old house. Instead, she faces animosity, betrayal, and calamity. Will she repeat the pitfalls of her past mistakes, or find the freedom and restoration she seeks?


*http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Children-s-Health-Wellness/why-kids-need-recess.html#sthash.zlzuwGHJ.dpuf