WRITING TIP OF THE
WEEK:
- Get Out Of The
House
There’s a very good reason for the ‘introverted writer’
cliché. Writing is a lonely pursuit and those who love to be around other
people tend to find they can’t stomach the long hours of solitude. Writing is
about being in one’s head and career writers are always bemoaning the endless search
for silence and peace.
Often, getting out of the house is the last thing on a
writer’s mind—unless it’s to find a quiet library or cafe to tap away on the
keyboard.
However despite our great love for books, and sometimes
movies and TV shows—all beautiful worlds, created by other writers in their
quiet, writing places—the brain needs more than sweeping narrative and
unforgettable characters to create. The brain needs to go beyond the screen or
page or imagination. The brain NEEDS reality.
For those of you who find the idea of going out to a loud
concert or nightclub as appealing as being drawn and quartered, relax. Getting
out of the house doesn’t have to mean being around people. It can mean going to
a park or gallery, going hiking somewhere quiet but inspiring, visiting the
beach at dawn, visiting the cemetery at sunset.
Wherever you go, being out in the world, experiencing the
smells, tastes, weather and sounds—rather than just reading about them—wakes up
the creative parts of your brain and refreshes them. Meeting up with friends
for a quiet drink or meal is great too. You don’t need a whole crowd. One
friend who is great at conversation is probably a much more invigorating way to
spend the afternoon.
I don’t care what you do, as long as you do it and as long
as it’s different to your usual schedule. Because if you don’t, your writing
will stagnate. It may not slow in volume, but it will slowly degrade in
quality.
