Writing When the Muse Is Asleep

The other day a writing friend told me about a workshop at the National Romance Writers of America conference that provided a list of ways writers can continue writing even when the muse is asleep. It included things like writing longhand, chewing gum, taking a shower, or doing something else with water like washing dishes.

I don’t know all the details from the workshop on why these sorts of activities work, but this really hit home with me. I’ve found three things helpful when I’m stuck with a scene: writing longhand, taking a shower, and driving in my car with the radio blaring. Only one of which is actually conducive to the task of writing down any ideas that develop.

Just the other day I was stuck on the climactic scene of my new project, and I spent several hours working through the frustration, completing other work tasks, catching up on email, and reading a book on the craft of writing. Nothing was coming to me. I could not seem to figure out how to get the heroes into their biggest trouble and then how to get them out of it. I had the ending of the book planned (the romantic resolution), but I could not get the suspense storyline to come together.

I decided I’d hop on my bike for a nice ride then hit the shower. Three minutes into the shower and I was inundated with ideas, snippets of dialogue, even additional scenes for the middle part of the book. It turned into the fastest shower ever. I had to get to a piece of paper and a pen. I ran through the house, dripping water everywhere, snatching up a notebook and pen, then sat on the edge of the bathtub writing for about a half hour.

This is not the first time this has happened to me (you’d think I’d remember to take a notepad into the bathroom, but I rarely do). I’ve even mentioned it on Twitter and Facebook a few times before. I’ve written some of the best stuff wearing nothing but a towel (and sometimes less). A long soak in the bathtub is the best place for me to edit a scene that’s giving me fits.

I know I’m not alone in this. I’ve heard other writers say they also get their best ideas in the shower. You’d think more corporations would latch on to this concept and install boardroom showers. Hmmm…interesting idea there.

This got me to wondering why this (and other changes in scenery or activity) work so well on overcoming writer’s block. Is it because the activity relaxes you and eases the tension of not producing? Is it the feel or sound of water that opens up part of the brain responsible for creative thought? Does music do the same? A quick search produced several studies identifying that chewing gum can improve concentration. Maybe water, music, and driving do the same.

What do you think? Is there a benefit creatively to activities like writing longhand, chewing gum, taking a shower, or washing dishes? Or is it all in my head?

In any case, it works for me. I guess I should just invest in a waterproof digital voice recorder and save the rest of my pennies for the water bill.

Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com