The physical toll.

KikiteNeko · May 23, 2008

A while back, I took about a year-long break from writing. This was a first for me, since I wrote at least on a monthly basis since elementary school (for fun, not profit). I'd taken on a serious task, my first novel, and got freaked out about it. I put it in the back of the closet.

The year-long hiatus was a healthy thing for me. Although I worried for my neglected writing, I started exercising, I lost a ton of weight, I ate healthier, I was more social, and for once I could listen to a song or go to sleep without worrying about my characters or what would happen next.

It was nice. But I'm glad it passed.

I picked up my novel again, and finished it in a series of all-night frenzies, days of hermitage, constant thinking and planning. I'm happy I did it, and it's helped me to work on my present WIP.

But. The physical toll has become more than evident. Exercise? What's what? I've gained back every pound I lost with interest. I don't see my friends as often. I'm back to being moody and restless when I'm blocked.

In the longrun, it's all worth it for me. But it does suck that I can't seem to find a happy medium. My solution has been to light a few candles, throw on some comfy sweats, and just write and not worry about it. Which is great, until I have to wrestle into my jeans in the morning.

Anyone else feel the physical toll of their writing? Smokers? Dieters? Coffee addicts? Crabby moodswings? What-have-you.

Phaeal · May 23, 2008

Exercise is crucial -- it keeps the blood flowing to the brain. Take at least a 30 minute walk every day. Break up a writing session with a walk. You'll find yourself suddenly breaking through plot barriers and coming up with new ideas as you move and get those endorphins surging.

You'll also give your poor back and fingers/wrists/arms a break.

The tortoise really does win the race, you know. Us old people know this.

C.bronco · May 23, 2008

You will lose all of the weight fretting over agents.

KikiteNeko · May 23, 2008

C.bronco said:
You will lose all of the weight fretting over agents.

I wish! The agent hunt made me snack nervously.

Twizzle · May 23, 2008

You've been in my head, haven't you, Tomo?

*sigh*

Yes. I cannot button my pants. BUT one book is with agents and two more almost done. So, it was worth it.

I take walks every day, I need to, it helps with the writing. But exercise--hah. And it's a problem. I'd fallen a few yrs ago-broke my back, tore some muscles. And I'm supposed to exercise.

So, now my back hurts, my eyes hurt. My waistband hurts. And we won't even go into the backload of laundry, cleaning, and Hubby neglect.

Yep. It's SO worth it.

CaroGirl · May 23, 2008

Don't you know the best thing for writer's block is exercise? Stephen King knew. At his most prolific, he took a walk every day. That's how he got hit by that car...nevermind.

Shadow_Ferret · May 23, 2008

Exercise is a must. Not only does it keep your body in shape, give you stamina for those late night writing sessions, and just generally makes you feel good, the exersion is good for your mind. The endorphins released by exercise actually help you to be more creative.

I just joined the Y. I'm looking forward to a burst of new endorphic creativity.

CaroGirl said:
Don't you know the best thing for writer's block is exercise? Stephen King knew. At his most prolific, he took a walk every day. That's how he got hit by that car...nevermind.

I thought at his most prolific he was doing 12 ounce curls.

CaroGirl · May 23, 2008

Shadow_Ferret said:
I thought at his most prolific he was doing 12 ounce curls.

If I knew what that was I might agree with you.

Cav Guy · May 23, 2008

CaroGirl said:
If I knew what that was I might agree with you.

Drinking.

Twizzle · May 23, 2008

CaroGirl said:
Don't you know the best thing for writer's block is exercise? Stephen King knew. At his most prolific, he took a walk every day. That's how he got hit by that car...nevermind.

*snort*

actually, I do walk every day. When I say exercise I mean, I have an elliptical and do yoga. Let's just say the elliptical is dusty and the yoga-well.

soon. very soon, and I'll get a break. And my pants will fit again.

(And then the Universe laughed...)

Storm Dream · May 23, 2008

I guess what I don't see is why writing instantly means all exercise has to stop.

When I'm stuck, it helps to take a long walk (or hop on the complex's treadmill). Earlier in the year I started taking walks at least 3x a day -- two during work and one afterwards, or a gym visit. Lost a lot of weight and I find I have much higher energy & fewer bouts with plot problems...that, or I just go walking and nip 'em in the bud.

dovebunnie · May 23, 2008

Yeah, I exchanged my hour of exercise for some more writing time last Nov, and I gained 8 lbs. I lost 3 lbs of that, but I also lost all the muscle tone I'd so painstakingly managed to attain (abs? where?).

I don't want to go to the gym, and I have no room for a treadmill or exercise machine. So I pick up the book I'm reading and I read it. And pace while I'm reading it. It's kinda sad to watch me, but no one does, so that's okay.

And it works even better if the book's big (reading the Gormenghast trilogy right now--LotR dimensions).

I'd walk outside with a book if I knew I wouldn't look retarded and that I wouldn't run into anything.

Mr Sci Fi · May 23, 2008

CaroGirl said:
Don't you know the best thing for writer's block is exercise? Stephen King knew. At his most prolific, he took a walk every day. That's how he got hit by that car...nevermind.

Haha.

Blondchen · May 23, 2008

I have a favorite quote. It's by Martin Mull and really sums up my personal feeling towards excercise -

"The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass."

That said, I hit the gym twice a week, and walk the dog once a day, because if I don't I will blow up to the size of a small Winnebago and then writing will become very difficult with my sausage like fingers hitting two letters on the keyboard at once.

I guess the answer is balance. If you are going to spend 5 hours a day working/thinking/obsessing about the writing, you force yourself to spend an hour or two on yourself - excercising, doing something social, painting your toenails. My life, like everyone else's, is a big stress bucket but I've found that a glass of champagne and some bubblegum pink toenails really lifts my outlook on the day!

James81 · May 23, 2008

You seek balance Kimo Sabe. *bows*

Routine is key or writing will overtake your life and snuff you into oblivion.

It's a marathon, not a sprint, and slow and steady wins the race.

Have I used enough overused, tired, baseless expressions yet to get my point across? If not, here are a few more:

Shoot for the moon, champ, even if you miss you'll land among the stars.

Tomorrow is another day.

When God closes a door, he opens a window!

:tongue

Seriously, find a way to make your writing routine. Don't let it overtake your life or you'll get swallowed up in it. Set a word count goal for everyday and stick to it.

Also realize that your best writing comes from a life lived fully. The inspiration and passion within writers stems living their lives. The surest way I know of to burn out and dampen your writing is to hole up and be a hermit.

CaroGirl said:
Don't you know the best thing for writer's block is exercise? Stephen King knew. At his most prolific, he took a walk every day. That's how he got hit by that car...nevermind.

The good news is, that that inspired what's looking to me like one of his most fantastic books to date.

dirtsider · May 23, 2008

You could have a free weight by your desk and get some exercise that way. Just don't use it on the poor computer when you're frustrated.

Blondchen · May 23, 2008

James81 said:
Have I used enough overused, tired, baseless expressions yet to get my point across?

Ooo, ooo, ooo. You missed my favorite (read, makes my skin crawl):

At the end of the day it's all about the art/craft/work/etc.

*throws up in her mouth a little bit*

Twizzle · May 23, 2008

Storm Dream said:
I guess what I don't see is why writing instantly means all exercise has to stop.

It doesn't, usually. That's why I'm hoping things go back to normal soon. But there are times, with deadlines, etc, that something has to give. And as a mom and wife, exercise went first. Along with laundry, etc.

Mid-April, the poop hit the fan, and I've been at the computer trying to get stuff done. And surprise, my summer pants aren't fitting.

But now, I'm almost out of revision hell. One week left. And then yeah, balance.

(Until the next round. Because there's always a next round.

)

But balance or not, there is valid point to Tomo's post. There is a physical price when you write full-time. I just went to a signing and the author was recovering from carpal surgery. You spend a lot of time on your butt, staring at a screen, typing. So yes, you need balance and you need to take care of yourself.

Danger Jane · May 23, 2008

Last summer I started running every day and I pounded out a first-draft MS in under six weeks...record time for little old me. Summer left, school started, and it's taken me a year to rewrite that damn MS. The time I used to write during the summer went to school and school-related stuff, and the time I used to run during the summer went to writing. Led to a very unproductive year. Guess who's learned her lesson?

inkkognito · May 23, 2008

Exercise is the thing that seems to go by the wayside for me when I'm deeply involved in my writing. Also, I don't get to ride my horse as much, which is essential to my mental health. It's a triple challenge because I balance my writing with two other jobs, one of which is very cyclic. I need to literally schedule in my exercise and leisure time with the same priority that I schedule my work...but of course I don't.

Still, I am offsetting that somewhat by not eating any desserts at all and cutting way back on sugar in general. That has helped with my waistline even with less exercise. I keep no snacks or desserts at all in the house and have no dessert when we go out to eat.

DWSTXS · May 23, 2008

depression
anxiety
grouchy moods
beer, wine, coffee, chocolate
sex (If I remember correctly)

Kate Thornton · May 23, 2008

I stick to a routine - it helps my writing and my painting and I am too modest to tell you how much weight I have lost.

I am very controlling about what I eat during the day - and when. 1 cup of coffee in the morning, water all day long, get away from the computer or easel every 2 hours, eat a really healthy plant-based lunch, knock off all work at 5pm. Oh, and take fun breaks - to AW or Evil Editor or somewhere else fun on the internet - at least twice a day.

In the evening, cook & eat a healthy light dinner with the family and go play (some kind of exercise is usually involved - could even be a walk around the home improvement store or a weed frenzy in the vegetable garden.) Get to bed by 11pm.

I take weekends off.

The key is a healthy routine so you are fit enough to enjoy the rush of writing.

Moonfish · May 23, 2008

Get a dog... It'll sit by your chair when you're trying to write, quietly whining and begging for walkies and play time...

inkkognito · May 24, 2008

Moonfish said:
Get a dog... It'll sit by your chair when you're trying to write, quietly whining and begging for walkies and play time...

Or cats that think the laptop keyboard is the most comfortable spot in the house to lay on.

KikiteNeko · May 24, 2008

I have a dog and a cat. But they're both lazy.

The physical toll.

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Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

I have plans...

.

Cluck that.

Living the dream

Court Jester

Living the dream

Living in the backstory

Cluck that.

Into the blue memory

Street Samurai

Honey Badger don't give a shit.

Great Scott Member

Not so new, really

Honey Badger don't give a shit.

Cluck that.

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

Mr Mojo Risin...

Still Happy to be Here. Or Anywhere

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

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