Writing and Walking - Beating Writer's Block
Writing and walking are a seemingly odd mix of topics for an
article, but they go well together. Particularly if you write
during breaks in your walk.
Writing Journals
Whether you are writing articles or the great American novel,
you will inevitably suffer from writer's block. A good way to
defeat the block is to go for a walk or hike in a park or open
local area. Walking gives you a chance to think through things,
let your mind wander and clear out the riff raff.
As you walk, your subconscious will be working and kicking out
ideas to get you going again. You don't want to lose these
ideas, which can be a problem when you are a few miles from home
and your computer. Frankly, nothing is more frustrating than
getting an idea and then losing the thread while you hustle
home.
I primarily write information articles for web sites. Unlike a
novel, the pure volume of articles is problematic. Coming up
with hundreds of unique topics can be maddening, particularly if
the subject matter is rather dry. Just imagine trying to write
100 articles on tax issues! One tends to end up staring at the
wall for hours on end.
I come up with my best ideas while walking on the beach here in
San Diego, California. While the beach and tax articles might
seem an odd mix, the ghosts of IRS agents apparently congregate
on the beach and ideas become plentiful. I've tried two methods
of keeping track of ideas while walking.
I first tried taking a dictation machine with me, but it didn't
really work out. You would be surprised how loud the ocean is on
the recording. I also found it difficult to pick up the thread
again when I sat down to listen to my ramblings. Fortunately,
writing journals turned out to be a better option.
An author friend of mine that publishes novels suggested taking
a writing journal with me on the beach strolls. He apparently
had great success working out plot twists for his novels while
hiking around Palomar Mountain, a good hiking spot to the east
of San Diego. I gave it a try and the rest is history.
I prefer writing journals to dictating for a few reasons.
Initially, it is easier to just sit down wherever you are and
write out an idea and story lines. I also find it easier to pick
up the thread when I plop down in front of my computer to
actually start writing.
Writer's block is a problem for every writer, regardless of the
type of writing. If you're having problems with it, you might
try going on a walk and taking a writing journal with you.