Write on Wednesday - Getting Physical

Becca from Write on Wednesday asks "So, how about you? Do you find that physical activity inspires your creativity? What’s works best for you - walking, running, dancing, kickboxing? How do you get in touch with your body, and use that awareness to inform your writing? How do you keep your body and mind in balance? "


First off, Becca stated how the winter takes away from her daily walks and encounters with nature and she misses that. I have to say I love winter, not that I don't like summer too. I crave winter because of the hibernation feel. I like cozing up in a blanket with hot tea or hot chocolate watching tv or reading, with or without a fire going. I like the feeling of not having to mow the grass, weed the flowers, take care of the pool, trim the trees, rake leaves (as if I would actually do that), etc. You get the picture. I'm not much into outdoors work. Winter lets me focus on things I enjoy without the guilt my mind plays with me. When it's nice outside, mentally I always feel like I should be outside doing something. I hate it. If it's nice outside, then I want to be in my shorts sitting in the shade with a book. Not sweating my ass off mowing the grass, which is just going to grow back next week! Yuck!

OK - so back to her questions above. I definitely do not use physical activity to get in touch with my creativity. It just makes me tired thinking about it. After physical activity, I usually want to do something else physical to get it all done whatever it is or I want to take a shower and just feel the satisfaction of finishing whatever it was. I usually feel more creative in the winter. Big surprise there. Either when I wake up knowing I have no place to go, no housework pending, can stay in my pjs and work on scrapbooking or whatever creative thing I have going. Or when I've feeling very unmotivated, I go take a shower and get ready for the day as if I have someplace to go, that energizes me to work on that project or sit at the computer and type.

I know this all makes me sound like a lump but in reality I'm the type that needs this forced downtime. Usually I'd work consistently if possible or clean or have some household project going, I am finding the downtime coming more naturally now that I don't have a strict 8-5 job. Plus my daughter does a good job of reinforcing the Mom, slow down mentally. Yes I've been classified as a workaholic by many since I was a teen. This could be why I don't insist my teens get jobs. We all know they will be working for years and years. Why start any sooner than needed? That's my philosophy.

Back to the topic - getting in touch with mind and body. Honestly I'm not sure if I've ever connected the two in the creative sphere. Yes I have for mental stability and getting in touch with your inner self but for creativity...I don't think so. Usually for creativity, I'm just trying to find the time. So, maybe I should work on the connecting thing. Maybe I'd get more creative stuff done instead of just thinking about them.

Write on Wednesday - Feelin' Groovy

Becca asks: How about you? Do you find yourself moving too fast through life? What’s your favorite way to moodle and make the mornin’ last? How does slowing down affect your creativity?

I always find myself moving through life too fast. Rarely is there a time when I'm moving slowly. My daughter calls me a workaholic and not necessarily always work outside the home. If you read my blog The Things We Read, you'll see on my Monday posts what I try to cram into my week. Its always too much but life is short and there is always something that can be done. I typically do two things at once - reading and catching up on tv, cleaning and catching up on tv, talking with teens and cleaning, etc, etc.

My favorite way to make the morning last is brewing a pot of tea and settling down with a good book or watching my favorite tv shows on DVR, without doing something else as well. Just one thing and not two things. I love mornings especially when I get up really early. I'm more productive even if the productivity is just relaxing. I'll get more reading done, web surfing or whatever it is that I'm doing. Mornings at my lake place are just the best. Quiet, calm, peaceful, restful with a crispness in the air. Love it. I really miss going in the fall because the morning mist on the lake is priceless. I love just sitting and looking at it. Imagining the possibilities of life.

Slowing down makes me think of all the creative projects that I have going but it doesn't necessary push me to doing them. It sometimes just makes me feel guilty. Guilty about not finishing that project or starting one I've been thinking about. Oh well, such is life.

Write on Wednesday

From Becca at Write on Wednesday:

How about you? Is there a book you’d love to read that hasn’t been written? What do you love reading about, and how could you write about it? What fascinates you that could become the subject for your next story, essay, poem, or blog post?

Write On Wednesday “Extra Credit” Prompt: Make a list of 10 things you’re interested in learning more about…choose one and write about it in a way that inspires a reader to want to know more about it as well.

I can't really think of a book that hasn't been written that I'd love to read. I have several ideas for books to write but I'm sure somewhere out there in bookland there is something similar. What I love reading about depends on my mood. For instance, I have not read a mystery or thriller in such a long time but have several on my bookshelf that were purchased when I was in "that mood". Lately I've been reading books about women and what they accomplish. I noticed the trend after I couldn't finish some of them. That's when I decided to get some Teen and YA lit from the library. Just something different.

How could I write about that? Well, the ideas I have are about women and their lives so I guess I'm on the right track for correlating reading to writing. I can not imagine myself writing about murder etc. What fascinates me lately is a subject that has come up in various conversations with a broad audience - your different personalities that come out for your different situations. Everyone does it. We all have multiple personalities and if you say you don't, you're lying. Maybe not personalities directly but something like it. You have one face you show for your parents/grandparents etc., one for siblings, one for friends, one for work, one for your spouse, one for your kids, and on and on.