Stayin' Alive and Touring the World

Nope, I'm not referring to that infamous 1970's song by you know who or any tours they may have done back in the day. I can't say the name of the band or I'll have that song stuck in my head for days, maybe even weeks. *shudders* I'm blasting country in my ears right now because I started to hear the music for it. 

So, what were we doing besides reminiscing? Oh yeah, discussing what the title stayin' alive and touring the world means to the writerly life. *ahem* Some days trying to write seems like a chore or worse yet..*gulp*..a job! *gasp* It's all about stayin' alive to be able to move on and write the next article, even when you just want to throw your hands in the air. You just have to stick to it and, in the immortal words of Larry the cable guy, "git 'er done!" Just try not to take the Stayin' Alive express straight into frustration alley and go all postal on the first person your eyes happen to see.

Whether it's a good or bad day writing wise, we writerly types often tour the world through words. The words don't have to come from your fingers. They can slide into your field of vision from a fellow writer, a news story, a travel blog, or a piece in a magazine. Writers weave words and takes you on trips to other countries, above and below the sea, to tiny islands you never knew existed, or guide you to a new place in your own neighborhood. 

Words and pictures let you sample food from almost every culture, learn about animals, laws (weird or not), languages, medicine, history and so much more. So, the next time you sit down to write an article, think about how it might take someone else on a tour, ok maybe a slight pit stop, to your little piece of the world. Who knows, maybe this will help you the next time you're struggling to stay alive. 

Frustration: How Not to Strangle Your Muse or Other People

Letter F, ba1969, sxc.hu

Oh how our muse's love to play with us. They have the ability to make the words flow smoothly, or throw us into the world of chaos for days on end. Sometimes those days make us walk around groaning and ripping our hair out over the lack of work being done, while others happily take a play day knowing tomorrow will be better.

No matter your reaction, I've had both, you can overcome the urgent need to strangle your muse or other people who may wander into your path as you have a righteous, writerly meltdown.

#1: Take a deep breath and just breathe. That's right, in...out...in...out, repeat until your blood pressure falls below immediate heart attack status due to frustration. Stop that! No counting while breathing allowed. For some reason counting can have the opposite effect and make you more ticked off rather than less. It does for me, try it sometime and see if you calm down faster.

#2: Don't make eye contact with anyone. This is imperative if you don't want to find your hands wrapped around the throat of your muse or other non-writerly types dwelling in your household. The muse sometimes likes to hang around to see our reactions as he, or she, takes back the magical writing dust they sprinkle around.

#3: Take your own mini vacation. It doesn't have to be anything big, like taking an impromptu trip to Hawaii or the farthest reaches of Timbuktu where you'll find yourself on a snowy mountain top. Think smaller, but relaxing. Put on some music and dance around the room like a crazy person. Take a bubble bath, slather yourself in lotion and body spray for a "spa" day. Go beat up some stuffed animals.

For the more manly among us, bubble baths and stuffed animals and dancing might not be your thing, so go do some manly activities. Retreat to your workshop and build an ark, happily sawing wood and banging nails galore. Ok, so maybe nothing so grand, how about a toy boat then? Tackle the highest tree and build that treehouse you always wanted.

We can also do non-genderly things too. Exercise is good for burning calories and frustration at the same time. Hiking, biking, walking, eating..healthy eating, not junk food. Tell yourself it's 5 o'clock somewhere in the world and grab a bottle! Don't drink till tipsy or drunk though, because your writing will suffer if your muse decides to give back the wordage you need.

Keep focused, keep calm, go forth and write your fingers off!