Get Unstuck with Your Writing by Walking It Out!

Edie here. Today you are in for a wonderful treat! We have bestselling author and fitness guru with us today, sharing her tricks for battling creative fatigue! Be sure to give her a warm TWC welcome!

Get Unstuck with Your Writing by Walking it Out!

by Rebecca J. Clark @RebeccaJClark

Growing up, I hated any form of exercise, even leisurely walking, unless that leisurely walk took me to the ice cream store or Starbucks. Or both. 

I started walking when my kids were small because if I put them in the stroller and gave them a lollipop (I know—bad, bad mommy), they wouldn’t scream or otherwise make my nerves go taut as a violin string for at least 20 minutes. I knew for at least 20 minutes every morning I would have peace and quiet, time to gather my frazzled thoughts. Soon, those walks became addictive. Sometimes, I went for two walks a day. Sometimes even three, depending on whether or not The Toddlers felt like napping.

I soon learned another benefit of daily walking. It was a great way to work out the kinks in my WIP. Almost like magic, for the scene I was having so much trouble with, the one that had me staring at the blinking cursor until I could see it in my sleep, the solution would pop into my head. Oftentimes, my mind would be overflowing with so many great ideas, I’d extend the walk (with more lollipops) until I couldn’t wait to get home and onto the computer (after The Toddlers were napping, of course).

Creativity guru Julia Cameron urges all of us artsy fartsy types to take daily walks to restore our spirit and nourish our creativity. In her book, Walking in this World, she says, “The truth is that walking holds our solutions.” Before the walk, we’re stuck. After the walk, we’re miraculously unstuck. 

Walking clears your head and focuses your thinking, it pulls your awareness away from relentless mind chatter to the gentle rhythm of the walk. The repetitiveness of each step after step gradually brings you into an almost meditative, deeper state. And this deeper state is where your creative mind is free to let go, to explore the possibilities and all the “what if’s.” This is when the magic happens.

It’s no secret that exercise and creativity go hand in hand. Stephen King is known to be an avid walker (unfortunately, he didn’t have eyes in the back of his head when he was hit by that car…). Henry David Thoreau wrote a book about it. And St. Augustine said, Solvitur ambulando—“it is solved by walking.” The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.”

Great minds, great walkers.

I’m not telling you to go out there and walk as fast as you can until you’re all hot and sweaty and cursing my name. I’m talking slow and leisurely, people. Easy does it. Nourish that inner muse, don’t give it a heart attack.

Next time you’re stuck with your writing, instead of beating the tar out of your computer, calling your muse foul names, or scarfing a bag of Hershey’s Kisses, trying going for a walk instead. Your muse—not to mention your waistline—will thank you.

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Rebecca J. Clark (Becky) is a USA Today best-selling romance author, and has also been a personal fitness instructor and class instructor for the past 22 years. She’s trained hundreds of clients over the years, from retired ballerinas and professional bodybuilders, to 97-year-old great-great grandmas. But the majority of her clients are just regular people who want to feel better, have more energy, and improve their mobility and flexibility. Her favorite classes to teach are Pilates and yoga. Check out http://authorfitness.com for more information.

When she’s not helping people improve their fitness, she’s writing and reading romance novels. She loves the feeling she gets after reading a great romance--just for that moment, everything is alright in the world. You can learn more about her writing and her books at http://RebeccaJClark.com.

Becky makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of 36 years and a cat who was probably a serial killer in its past life. Her biggest joy is her toddler granddaughter (plus a grandson due Spring 2023) who lives just down the road. In her free time, Becky enjoys reading, watching Criminal Minds reruns on TV, and doing absolutely nothing.