The Writer's Comfy Corner

Slogging through Sickness

Everyone gets sick sometimes.  But the world doesn't stop.  So how do you keep writing when your body is rebelling against you?

Here are a few tips I use to stay productive through the yucky sick days:

1.  Move slowly.  If you are patient with yourself, you can get some work done.  Just don't expect to achieve your normal routine.

2.  Focus on the most pressing work.  If you have a deadline, work on that in your most energetic moments.

3.  Ask for extensions and help.  Don't try to be a hero.  If you are really sick, explain your situation and see if anyone will help you get through your rough time.

4.  Write about being sick.  This serves two purposes: a.)It keeps you working.  b.)It allows you to vent your frustration.

Now, if you need just a little bit more motivation think about Stephen King and Frida Kahlo.  After suffering terrible accidents, artist Frida Kahlo and novelist Stephen King both kept working despite the pain.  It may not always be fun, but writing may get your mind off your bad situation and that might help make you healthy again.

Are there ways you deal with working and being sick?  Have you ever written about a particular illness?

A Wish from Melody

Happy Holidays!

Try Out Other Art Forms

You may want to spend most of your creativity time writing.  After all, you are a writer.  But do you ever try out another art form, just to see what that process feels like?

Every craft and every great artist has a history.  The history usually involves study and practice, experimentation and becoming a master. Whether you watch a person knitting or you walk through the halls of an ancient museum, there are things to learn from the best creators about self-control and expressing humanity.

Do you ever pick up a paint brush?  What about making a photo collage?  I'm not saying you have to be good or that you should change your career path.  I'm saying, walk in another artist's shoes.  It can give you perspective.

One of the things I've learned by creating movies for YouTube is that nothing springs perfectly from your brain.  Everyone who creates many works of art has to learn to be an editor.

What have you learned by studying other mediums?  What other crafts and arts have you pursued?

I'd love to hear from you.  Until next time, keep writing.