Monday, January 13, 2014

Avoiding the Writing Deep Freeze

Snow, Ice, and freezing temperatures conspire against our ability to move about and perform daily tasks. The treacherous piles make each step an opportunity to exercise our faith.

We may not be able to prevent every difficulty caused by storms, but we can minimize their impact on us. Here are a few steps for making life easier during winter:

1) When you're parked, pull the wipers away from the windshield. Now, this isn't a good idea if there's a blizzard. I wouldn't want them snapping off. However, in a run-of-the-mill snow/ice storm, it could prevent your wipers from freezing.

2)  If snow is expected and then an icy mix, don't clean the car off until the storm is over. The snow underneath will make it easier to get rid of the ice.

3)  Carry a bag of kitty litter in your trunk. If you get stuck it will provide much-needed traction.

The writing deep freeze can be just as daunting as a winter storm. The freedom and ease of getting words into a computer document or on a page disappear. Every word comes with tortuous exertion. Here are some preventive measures:

1)  Fear often precedes a writing deep freeze. You've got an assignment for an article, a guest blog, a short story, or a novel. Thoughts start swirling around your head: Can I really do this? What should I write about?

I deal with this issue by: A) Reading scripture verses regarding fear such as II Timothy 1:7. B) Asking God to give me the ideas I need. C) Relaxing and trusting they will come.

2)  If an interesting thought or event captures your attention, go with it. A winter storm provided the idea for this post. Warning: These tidbits have a way of flying through your brain and disappearing. Seize them, and examine their facets using the why, what, where, which, and how questions.

3)  Visual prompts can inspire you and keep brain freeze at bay. I love flipping through sites with pictures. When looking for a graphic for one post, I may see five more that give me writing ideas.

Any venture, whether writing, painting, sculpting, or crafts, can suffer from a creative freeze. Keep those ideas flowing by exercising the gift God gave to you.

Writers and Readers:  What are some of the ways you use to prevent brain freeze?

Photo Credit:  MEJones


7 comments:

Karen Lange said...

Love this timely comparison, Susan! These are great points. Stay warm!

Blessings,
Karen

Terri Tiffany said...

I loved this post!!! I've had those freezes before...no fun!

dandelionfleur said...

That was a fun post! Thank you for the tips in both areas.

Eva said...

Hi Susan. Thanks for the tips. Regarding my brain freeze, I get into the car and drive through the country, asking God to give me ideas He wants me to write about. He never fails! PTL!

quietspirit said...

Susan; Ssome good information about surviving the snow and ice. Excellent advice on the writing part of life. Thank you for both.

Sandi said...

Good suggestions!

Prayer works for me. :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen - Believe it or not, this was inspired by a frosty windshield rather than the sub-zero cold we had recently.

Hi Terri - Thanks! I think we've all experienced brain freeze at one time or another.

Hi Dandelionfleur - You're welcome! I'm glad they were useful.

Hi Eva - I love going for a drive. Of course, these days I have to save up for the gas!

Hi Quiet Spirit - I kept seeing people with their windshield wipers raised. It beats trying to free them from ice.

Hi Sandi - Yesterday morning, I had trouble opening my car doors. Oh, and the antifreeze spray stuff I bought was INSIDE THE CAR! LOL! Plenty of prayer went up, and the door finally broke free from the ice.

So nice to see all of you!

Hugs,
Susan :)