The First Essential for Changing

Your Writing Life: Energy

Energy is everything. Don’t believe me? Consider how you feel after you’ve been binge watching a television show for eight hours straight. Do you want to jump up and get to work? Or sink back into the sofa for another three hours?

But once you have the spark, both internal (physically feeling well) and external (support from your environment), you’re eager to put the pen in hand or fingers on the keyboard. The right energy can fuel your writing life.

Here’s what you need to figure out: What gives you energy? Dancing? Motivational quotes? Photos representing your book’s characters?

What saps your energy? Reading the news? Checking email? Talking to the friend/relative who casually downplays your creative efforts?

What gives me energy differs daily. Sometimes music gets me going (Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” never fails!), or working out before I write—endorphins rock! What you’re looking for is that juicy feeling—it’ll be apparent in your writing and even make it shine. You simply write better when you’re into your work.

Because writing is such a solitary endeavor, being in a group naturally provides energy.

I appreciated the fantastic energy generated by the writers who attended my Write of Your Life Retreat in Italy last September, an energy that continues to sustain them as they’ve stayed in communication as a group. One announced recently she’s completed her memoir. Others have started blogs and submitted, for the first time, works of poetry and essays. They are enlivened both from feedback and from a renewed sense that their work matters.

If you want to partake of this special spark, join me in Italy for the retreat’s Second Edition, September 20-26. Download the brochure here to learn how to reserve your spot. Feel free to get in touch with me to answer your questions. Talk to you soon!

You can’t start a fire without a spark. –Bruce Springsteen