Creative Tools for Writers to Help With "Brain Drain" (Guest Post from Author Shannon Medisky)

As a writer, I’m in front of a computer screen a lot.

And this can be, well, draining. I used to struggle to write at my desk. But that’s when I realized that that was the problem: the computer, the stagnant area and tools I was confining myself to. You can’t squeeze water from a rock, and I was being unsuccessful at trying to write in an uncreative space. To change this, I armed myself with what I affectionately refer to as “creative tools.” They help prepare my mind to think differently. They relax my body by enabling me to play. They keep my hands occupied with something other than a pen or keyboard, relieving the stress and expectations of trying to force myself to write. Currently, my creative tools include:
Creative Tool #1 ..Bubbles: Yes, you read that correctly: bubbles. They help me relax my breathing and focus on something else important: play!

Creative Tool #2…Putty: Silly putty is not just for the “under ten” set. It’s great for frustrated writers, too.

Creative Tool #3..Inspiring Pictures: Picture clippings I’ve collected from magazines, greeting cards and even doodles I’ve drawn myself provide an instant visual vacation. The eyes are the window to the soul, and this is where the inspiration for writing comes, from within ourselves. It’s important to give our eyes beautiful things to look at and explore so that we can feed our own inspiration.

Creative Tool #4..Fun Stuff: A small, desk-sized toy box keeps my work area fun and my kids jealous! It’s a small plastic box filled with everything from a small noisemaker, a tiny barrel of monkeys and even a Slinky. Having these toys of my very own at my immediate disposal invites the opportunity to stop and play. And, personally, it’s the actual play that helps put the creative back into the writing process.

What’s your favorite “creative tools” to keep frustration and writing stress at bay?

Shannon Medisky is a leading expert in how to fail, how to be wrong the right way and how to capitalize on all windows of opportunity. A former educator, she has worked with children ranging in age from preschool through the 8th grade and is mom to two young boys, including one with a multitude of special needs. To learn more about Shannon, her mission to help kids fail and how doing so can help all kids thrive, please visit ShannonMedisky.com.