WRITERLY RESPITE, part one

At the first, lively meeting of the new BookStrategy Writers Group, the issue of writerly dry spells came up a lot. One writer was tired and disheartened from the publishing process, another feeling hampered by too much consciousness of writing lessons and rules, yet another happily focused on non-writing tasks like grandkids. Two of us had also experienced multiple bereavements which silenced us for a time.

In theory, we tend to expect ourselves to write regularly and productively, turning out new pages and new books on a consistent, unwavering schedule. In reality, that just doesn't happen. Every writer's life has lulls and low points, lapses or even silences. Sometimes these times of block are temporary glitches—mid-book blues, for example—that can be ended by soldiering on; a few days of "bad" writing later, they resolve themselves. But just as often, the problem is deeper than that, and forcing ourselves to write is at best painful and at worst utterly counterproductive.

How do you know the difference? You don't, at least at first. You have to pay some sustained but gentle attention to the problem to figure it out. You have to regard it with openness and without judgment. You have to be more curious than condemning.

Take a moment to ask and to observe. What does your particular dry spell feel like? When did it start? What is going on with your life as a whole—how energetic and nourished do you feel there? What is going on with your work in progress...where are you in your writing itself? What does your intuition tell you is wrong? What does your gut tell you to do?

I'll deal with other forms of block or lull in later posts. For now, here are a few strategies that may help if you just feel creatively depleted--not an uncommon experience in our go-go-go lives.

1. Rest. Most of us live lives that are what a friend of mine calls "Burnout Central." It's surprising what a day off or a few extra naps can do to recharge your batteries. Some really nourishing food, eaten slowly, can do wonders too.

2. Read. Return to classics you love. Check out some masters in your genre with whose work you're not yet familiar. Search out great writing in some form you rarely read. I often read poetry when I'm feeling creatively depleted. It reminds me of how much I love language, and it's brief enough that reading it doesn't feel like yet another chore.

3. Find inspiration from non-writing sources. I am inspired by looking at visual art, talking to interesting people, watching documentary films, listening to instrumental music, making jewelry, walking, staring up at the sky, and watching the brief talks by brilliant people in many fields collected at TED (http://www.ted.com/). What deeply inspires and nurtures you? Make time to reach out for it. And savor it fully, one thing at a time.

4. Take an evening or two as an "electric (and electronic) sabbath." For a specified amount of time one evening (two or three hours works best for me) turn off or silence all electric and electronic devices. Turn off the electric lights, too, and light some candles instead. You might be surprised at how totally different your time will feel. You won't be able to multi-task. You won't be able to push yourself to get something else done. You won't be subject to the incredible overstimulation that is a fact of modern life. You'll be able to read, or chat, or play a board game with your family. You'll probably feel antsy at first, addicted as most of us are to 24/7 input from our devices, but don't give up...once you get used to it, you may find it really enjoyable. And after an evening of withdrawal from external "noise," you may find yourself eager to write.

5. Take a conscious break from writing for one week, two weeks, even a month. In that time, fully commit to staying away from your writing and to staying away from any guilt or blame. Return to writing on the day you've planned and see how you feel.