Lessons learned

[ksmith]

Someday it will sink in for good that no matter how I feel, I should work out. Even if I can't spare that hour. Even if I'm yawning up a storm and the last thing I feel like doing is dripping sweat.

Because I insert the earbuds and jog/walk along, and the writing brain wanders as the writing brain does, and things break loose. Ideas occur that wouldn't otherwise, and the throwaway line from the beginning meets the more defined comment in the middle and combines to form a really good, nasty plot thread. Even if I do say so myself.

This is the second time this has happened in a month. I really should have gotten the message by now.

Comments

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

We are slow learners.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I am guessing that rowing must be the absolute bomb for jump starting writer brain.

I think cross-country skiing might be, as well. I want to learn it for the cardio/leg workout, but I can imagine being out on the trail, breath coming in clouds. The schussschuss of the skis on the snow. And the brain working.

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

It's interesting, paddling is not good for writer brain. To paddle well I have to be entirely in the moment, so it's a good activity with which to rest my brain.

Walking (the dog) is still the best for writer brain.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thinking about it, I wonder if jogging out on the road, where I would need to watch for cars and couldn't wear the music, would prove as fruitful as the dreadmill?

Walking one dog was good. Walking two, not so much, because I spend all my time untangling leashes.

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

Two dogs does sound distracting. With one, I can zone out. Also because he is a dog of habit and not at all difficult in that way.

[e-moon60.livejournal.com]

In non-snake season, just walking on the land will do it for me. But it's rattlesnake season now, which means walking along thinking of something else is not a good idea. Getting on the tractor and mowing, though, is surprisingly productive. But not of physical conditioning.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Luxury of a treadmill, so I can afford to zone out.

Do you keep a notebook or pad of paper in Bombadil in case an idea tumbles into the cab?

[e-moon60.livejournal.com]

Bombadil doesn't have a cab. I'm sitting up there on top of the world (so to speak) with nothing between me and the outside. And I don't try to write anything down while I'm up there.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

The best part is when this happens while I'm riding my bike, and then I have to stop to scribble things down. (Rule of thumb-- if I'm going downhill I stop immediately, when going uphill I'll wait till the top.)

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

So far, I've remembered things, because I don't push them aside but mull them over until the end of the session. I would stop to make notes if I had to, but I hate having to get the heart rate back up.

Which reminds me that I should tuck a small notebook in the treadmill's dashboard book slot, or something.

[equesgal.livejournal.com]

I'm relearning this myself. After standing on my feet for hours at Starbucks I felt too tired to workout. But my gimpy right leg has made a full recovery now that I'm down on the floor stretching and doing my old yoga poses. What an eye opener.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Cleaning, washing the car, cooking things I've done for years -- all ways to let the brain link up stuff I need. But walking has always been best. It calms the squirrel brain and lets important stuff float up.

The cars might be a problem, tho. I've usually lived in areas with sidewalks or side streets, so I can avoid the busy areas. Now, I walk in the parking lot late at night. Cooler, calmer, I keep over and wear a flasher so anyone hitting me has to do it purposefully....