All In a Day's Walk

One of my Top Ten Super Secret (so this one's no longer a secret) Writing Tips that I share with students is

DO NOT WRITE!As in,
Step Away from the Computer, UnplugShoot Some HoopsTake a ShowerGo For a RunGet a MassageStrike a Yoga PoseMeditateGo For a Walk
And I mean it.

I've learned to build this kind of time into my day. It's been proven to me again and again that my best ideas come when I'm away from the page. I keep my story with me. Inside my head. Dangling there like the carabiner hooked to my backpack. I let it dangle, and inevitably, ideas surface. 

Two walks from the past two days yielded:
Two universal truthsTwo endingsFive funny linesOne story arcOne final sceneA whole new characterThree illustration ideasNeed more convincing?

Try it! For thirty minutes -

DO NOT WRITE.

Have a great weekend!