Zen and the Art of Writing

What do I mean by zen and the art of writing? Other than my post’s title being very similar to a book by Ray Bradbury (which I very much enjoyed), I wanted to talk about balance and writing.

Writing is a very demanding art. It doesn’t take a few minutes here and there and you’ve magically cranked out a novel in one draft. If you’re reading this blog, you probably know that already.

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This post isn’t so much about the craft of writing than it is the balance of the world around your craft. Everything impacts when you are working creatively.

Stress – When you have a rough day and you still want to write but the words won’t come? That right there is a reason to manage your stress levels.
Headaches – By headaches, I really mean caffeine. I find that if I’ve had a little too much caffeine, I simply can’t recover and get back into the writing space. I’m full of jitters and headaches, left without the proper balance in my brain to blend passion and sense.
Diet – Too much sugar can take a toll on your writing, whether you are buzzing while sitting at the keyboard or you are napping on your desk because you’ve crashed. The best writing days are usually the days where I have eaten the best, taking care not to overload on writing fuel lattes or treats.
Stiffness – I you don’t move enough, no matter how into a scene you are, you will suffer from aches and pains that can keep you from writing for a while. I’m guilty of this one, despite trying to hard not to be. You have to take the time to take care of your body.
Other stories – Be it television, movies, podcasts, or other books, I find it very difficult to write if I am enjoying some other media at the same time. Sometimes I’ll binge watch a series and, that’s it, my writing is GONE for a day or two afterwards. Other times, I’ll read a book I’ve been waiting for and then I can’t fall into my own voice properly when I do sit at the keyboard.

At the end of the day, writing must be balanced with the other aspects of your life. I’ve been on both sides of life: one where I have been working too hard to be able to write and one where I have worked too little to be effective at writing. The secret is balancing your zen and the art of writing.

 

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