Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: “Get Off Your Ass”
Sitting. Typing. Sitting. Thinking. Sitting. Stressing. Sitting. Sitting. Sitting…
Sitting. Typing. Sitting. Thinking. Sitting. Stressing. Sitting. Sitting. Sitting…
There’s a saying attributed to Oliver Stone: “Writing equals butt on chair.”
And for the most part, he’s right. What writers do… a helluva lot of what we do derives from sitting on our ass.
Sitting.
Typing.
Sitting.
Thinking.
Sitting.
Stressing.
Sitting.
Sitting.
Sitting…
Let’s say you’re at your writing station… sitting. And you’re stuck.
A scene isn’t working.
A character just told you to shove off.
A major subplot just collapsed and the tumbling debris crushed your psyche.
You can sit for the next several hours, bashing your forehead against the computer. Or you can…
Get.
Off.
Your.
Ass.
Go for a walk.
Sprint up the sidewalk.
Do some jumping jacks.
Dance to loud music.
Shadow box.
Rip off your clothes and race around screaming in circles in your office.
[This last piece of advice is most effective if you work alone].
Whatever. Just give your bum a break.
Your posterior a party.
Your fanny some freedom.
Your rump a ruckus.
Your haunches a holiday.
I don’t know the exact scientific name for the condition, but there is a direct link between the inner workings of your brain and the status of your buttocks.
Sometimes, you’ve got to adjust your arse to get your mind into major mojo mode.
So the next time you’re stuck or even feeling a little flat…
Don’t rattle your brains…
Rather get off your ass…
And get the blood pumping.
It’s amazing how something so simple can ignite your creativity!
This has been another installment of Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work. For more, go here.