The Winter Writing Blues—A Few Cures

What does a writer do when you just don't feel like writing? You know, you've had this sinus thing for a couple of weeks, a foreign object flew in your eye, you're arguing with all your best pals and your gal, and it's cold and dark by 5pm. These kinds of things can really stymie your creative urge. You just want to lie down and let it pass, but the problem is that it will pass much more slowly if you don't do something about it. Here are a few suggestions for dealing with the winter writer's blues:

1) Write anyway. I know you don't want to hear that, but it's true. There's only one way out and it's through. Now, what I do is allow myself to write anything. This includes lists, letters to friends, letters to the editor (even if I never send them), holiday greetings, journal entries (highly recommended for mental health), post-it note quotes, blog entries, even a long email to a friend or family member. They all count. Let them count. At the end of even the shortest day, you can say "I wrote today."

2) Let inspiration lead you. In my next post I will include a poem that came to me while sitting in church. It has absolutely nothing to do with the sermon, which I vaguely remember had to do with John the Baptist, who is in himself an inspiration with his wild locust and honey eating ways, but the poem turned out to be a letter to the First Lady, Michelle Obama. I tuned out the sermon and tuned into my own creative mind. I had to get past the Southern church upbringing of "pay attention to the preacher," but then I had a lot of practice imagining other scenarios than the one I happened to be in at the time, being a preacher's kid and all.

3) Do not wait to get the inspiration onto paper. If I had had a pen in the pew (what happened to those stubby pencils and information sheets that used to be stuck in the rack by the hymnals? They were so perfect for writing notes and drawing pictures) and if the bulletin had any space left at all after a dozen announcements and the church wasn't so small that the entire congregation was visible from the pulpit (I do believe in being discrete both with poets and preachers), I would have begun the piece right then and there. I prayed my thought wasn't that fleeting, shook the pastor's hand and was the second one out the door. I headed to the first coffee shop I could find, which was darn close, praise the Lord.

3) Always carry the tools of the trade around with you, in some form or another. I had to dig before I could find my pen and a 2" square notepad, but I never hesitated to use it, although the writing filled half the tiny notebook by the time I finished. And I admonished myself for not having a little more paper and at least a couple of pens in that crazy bagalleni I carry around for just that reason--so I can put a bunch of crap in there, like paper and pens! Now some poets swear by napkins, but I am too heavy-handed and end up with inky smears on raggedy paper. It's better to be prepared.

4) Allow yourself to be creative in other ways. Cook a hearty, wholesome meal or just comfort food. Make a pie or cake and then give some away. I find fresh pumpkin pie to be particularly inspirational. It's the best and really nothing like the kind you make from a can, even if it's organic canned pumpkin. Canning takes the light out, and my god, you don't want that, particularly at this time of year. Do some drawing or painting. Get out of your head. Let your fingers do the talking. I made an entire illustrated book of my anniversary trip with Leigh in the mountains of WNC using stick figures. It was a big hit.

5) Go some place different. Try church or synagogue or George's Majestic Lounge for a little live music. Nothing, I mean nothing, inspires the creator in me like live music. Take in an open mic somewhere and listen to someone else's writing. Even if all you take away is "I can do better than that" well, go home and prove it! Watching crafts people at work, sitting alone on a hilltop, going to hear Handel's "Messiah," strolling through an art museum, studying seed catalogues for spring...try something different. You must allow yourself to be inspired. Give yourself permission, then go!

6) And last, but not least, although it may be your least favorite suggestion, get some exercise. It's tough I know, especially in winter, but a simple walk opens the mind and heart in the most surprising ways. I find I need to walk from 2-3 miles for the best effect, but even one will help. If you're lucky enough to have access to a pool, swimming is great, but don't overdo it or you'll just eat and fall asleep. "Chop wood, carry water." Do this for an hour. Stretch into some yoga. Do not clean house or wash dishes or do anything that resembles regular chores. They are endless and you will keep doing them and never write. Save them until after you've written your first draft and are editing in your mind.

I could go on and on as usual. But here are a few tips for now and I will post my next entry with the poem I wrote following my own instructions. Oh, yeah, and don't go all heavy-handed criticizing your work while you're in the "don't feel like writing stage." Accept it for work well done at a time when you really didn't feel like it. That makes you a writer.