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, 
Unplug
Shoot Some Hoops
Take a Shower
Go For a Run
Get a Massage
Strike a Yoga Pose
Meditate
Go 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 truths
Two endings
Five funny lines
One story arc
One final scene
A whole new character
Three illustration ideas

Need more convincing?

Try it! For thirty minutes -

DO NOT WRITE.

Have a great weekend!

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