How to Nourish Your Writer's Soul

How to avoid writer's burnout, handling rejection.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Journal.
• Favorite exercise.
• Quiet place to meditate.
• Writer's Groups.

1. Include these steps in your daily life to nurture the writer’s soul:
   
   1. Positive Affirmations
   
   “My writing is vital; my books will bring enjoyment to my readers.”
   
   Ongoing affirmations allow you to recognize your accomplishments and build confidence in your ability to cope with rejection letters. Also create Self-Esteem Lists, Self-Appreciation Lists, Healing, and Assistance Lists, with such suggestions as “bubble baths, massages, soothing music.”

2. 1. Positive Affirmations
   
   “My writing is vital; my books will bring enjoyment to my readers.”
   
   Ongoing affirmations allow you to recognize your accomplishments and build confidence in your ability to cope with rejection letters. Also create Self-Esteem Lists, Self-Appreciation Lists, Healing, and Assistance Lists, with such suggestions as “bubble baths, massages, soothing music.”

3. 2. Journaling
   
   Journaling relieves stress, depression, loneliness, anger; it is a safe, inexpensive activity. You need not share your writing with anyone. It’s helpful to include visual imagery in your writing to maintain physical and mental health. Describing the senses of smell, hearing, taste, sight and touch also helps your prose come alive. Examples: bright orange sun, taste of chocolate cake, smell of freshly cut grass, the softness of velvet, the sound of birds. Write dialogue between yourself and the publishing companies that rejected your manuscript. Susan Zimmerman, author of Writing To Heal The Soul, suggests, “Write freely and truthfully; don’t edit or judge yourself.”

4. 3. Exercise
   
   Taking walks will clear your mind and revitalize your body. Being cooped up with your computer or notebook for many hours may drain your energy. Choose an aerobic activity that you enjoy (bicycle riding, ice skating). Plan to exercise about 30 minutes a day. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, suggests that walking can help keep you inspired and clear away writer’s block.

Tips & Warnings

• Writing Groups Work shopping your manuscripts helps improve your writing. It also brings you closer to completing your book. Although writing is a solitary task, you won’t know if you’re reaching your goals without sharing your work with other writers. Some groups may require you to sign up to read during a meeting. That way, you have a contract with yourself to edit or finish that manuscript. Also, what you plan to write doesn’t always translate from your mind onto the page. Workshop members will suggest changes and clarifications for your manuscript. Sharing and networking with other writers will keep you inspired. 6. Writing Classes and Workshops Whether you’re a published writer or just starting out, continue to take classes. Try writing in another category or genre. If you write children’s stories, try young adult or poetry. We can always learn something new and challenge our writing skills. Actors take classes to keep their craft honed and innovative; why not writers?
• Have Fun! Take art, acting, dance, exercise, and music classes. Do something that you have always dreamed about, but never had the courage to try. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Live, laugh, and enjoy!
• Check with your doctor to make sure that you are healthy enough for exercise.

[look4writing]

on 10/18/2009 you can check out some of my articles and rate them if you think they are worth it? lol lets read more of your stuff. I am still thinking about the asignment from the Psyc. "Just write" what will that do?

[look4writing]

on 10/18/2009 I checked with my Doctor wanting to know if I was still alive. lol : ) writing articles keeps me with somthing to do. How good is that? 5 and R for the writers sole.
look4writing