Live Creatively

Janet here. Missy and Debby shared some highlights of the Romance Writers of America conference in their July 20 and July 29 post. I’m still reliving the fun I had and digesting the information passed along at the excellent workshops I attended. One speaker stands out in my mind, not because of her tips on writing, but because of her tips on living.

Jennifer Louden, author of The Woman’s Comfort Book and The Life Organizer: A Woman’s Guide to a Mindful Year, coach, speaker and retreat organizer, spoke on how to handle the stress of being a writer. She offered tips on how to keep your sanity, sustain your career and your joy. Writers are creative human beings. The secret, she says, lies within.

YOU GET TO CHOOSE.

You get to choose how you spend our time. For more productivity, Ms. Louden suggests you:

· Take a five-minute break every 60-90 minutes.
· Write no more than forty hours a week. Working longer doesn’t increase productivity.
· Establish a set starting time and ending time.
· Sleep seven hours a night.
· Do instead of think.
· Use a timer to keep on track.

You get to choose how you interpret what happened.

You can interpret events in a panicky, fearful mode or you can interpret events creatively. She's not suggesting we wear rose-colored glasses, but we can avoid interpreting events with a doom and gloom mindset. We train our brains by our thoughts, by our self-talk. Repetitive negative thoughts develop a rut in the brain until it becomes easier and easier to fall into negative thinking.

You get to choose how you will react to what happened.

· When you choose a fearful reaction to events, stress hormones are released in your brain. Stress hormones fatigue the adrenal glands. All kinds of negative physical reactions result.
· If others are succeeding and jealousy creeps in, you can choose to rejoice with them.
· Reacting is addictive. Reset the body by using techniques that slow breathing, ease muscle tension and calm you. You’ve heard the positive choices: deep breathing, stretching, warm showers, twenty-minute naps, massage and exercise. But, unconsciously we may fall into less desirable choices: eating, e-mail, TV, alcohol and computer games that not only won’t ease stress over the long haul, but impact productivity.

THERE IS NO PERFECT. Lower your standards. Ease the pressure.

· Let your writing be messy. You can fix it.
· Start the day with time for yourself—try a gratitude journal, prayer/meditation, exercise.
· Make an achievable daily plan. When your goals aren’t feasible, you set yourself up for failure and depression.

LOVE YOUR CHARACTERS. We make trouble for our characters, but we care about them and want to give them happiness.

· Ask, “How can I treat myself with respect and love?” Be nice to you.
· Live in the moment. Notice what is good and savor it. Use your senses. Linger on experiences.
· Don’t fight fear. Anxiety is normal. Don’t shame yourself when you feel anxious. Sometimes you can’t put a positive spin on what happened, but you can refuse to beat yourself up. “I am stressed, but I’m doing my best.”

For more information, visit Jennifer Louden’s Web site at http://www.comfortqueen.com

I’ve made coffee and a pot of Earl Gray tea with all the fixings to wake us up this morning. Grab a cup and a fresh cranberry scone. And let’s talk about the choices we make that enables us to live creatively. What tips have you found that work for you?