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Friday, July 22, 2011

Ten Ways to Keep Sane While Writing

Today, Karen Walker from Following the Whispers is going to amuse you!

Her book, Following the Whispers, came out as an eBook recently and I downloaded my copy last week. I confess, I’ve never really read a memoir before, but so far hers is really powerful! This is her final tour stop, so please show Karen how much the Ninja Army rocks!

Karen would like to share with you 10 Ways to Keep Sane While Writing…

Alex, thank you so much for hosting me on this, the 10th and last stop on my book blog tour. I appreciate all you do for other writers. Here are 10 ways to keep sane while writing:

1. Even if you feel like it, don’t pull your hair out during revisions. You will need it while waiting for responses to your query letters.
2. Keep a journal of your feelings as you write, re-write, query and wait. Your family and friends will be forever grateful that you have another outlet for your whining and crying.
3. Even if you think you are finished, remember either a critique partner or an agent or an editor will most likely find more revisions, so don’t throw away the valium just yet.
4. Did I say valium? I don’t drink or take drugs, so I stay sane by stuffing my face. Oops, no, I don’t do that anymore either. Sheesh, I’ve run out of addictions to keep me sane.
5. Do take mini breaks throughout the day. Not kidding here, folks. Mini-breaks really do preserve sanity and help creativity and energy flow.
6. Honor your distractions: TV, blogging, computer games, doing laundry, defrosting the refrigerator, whatever will keep you from pulling out your hair because you want to listen to #1 above.
7. No matter what anyone tells you, Spider Solitaire is not an addiction. It will keep you sane. I promise.
8. Listen to your inner voice, but make sure it’s the wise one, not the one that screams at you, “Who do you think you are that you believe you can write?”
9. The way you know which voice to pay attention to is your insides feel calm when one is speaking and they usually churn upside down when the other shouts.
10. All kidding aside, get yourself a good, solid support system--this online community is great for that. Sharing with others is the best way to keep sane.


Visit Karen at Following the Whispers

Any other suggestions for keeping sane? I vote Hot Tamales and lots of them!
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93 comments:

  1. RHYTHM AND RHYMEJuly 22, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Thanks Alex for hosting Karen.

    Good tips on keeping sane while writing, will bear that in mind in the future though it dosen't help taking a break for a while and commenting on the blogs only to find one gets insulted.

    Have a lovely week-end Alex it's Harry Potter crazy over here at the moment.
    Yvonne.

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  2. Ellie GarrattJuly 22, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    Awesome list of tips, I shall be putting them to good use soon! Thank you, Alex and Karen.

    Ellie Garratt

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  3. Old KittyJuly 22, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    Hi Karen!! Thank you for these wonderful tips for keeping sane when revising one's wip!! I am all for addictions!! Mine are chocolate and coffee with a dash of vodka. Ahem.
    :-)
    Take care
    x

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  4. Christine RainsJuly 22, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Great tips, Karen! I'm happy someone agrees that solitaire isn't an addiction. It's therapy.

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  5. UnknownJuly 22, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Funny! But oh so true. I do firmly believe we have a great support system here.

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  6. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 22, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    Yvonne, who insulted you? That's just wrong.

    Kitty, don't forget your Charlie addiction!

    Clarissa, we do!

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  7. Beverly DiehlJuly 22, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Great tips - but there's one flaw here. You're supposing that anyone who chooses to write has any sanity left to keep. I think mine left the building a long time ago. :-)

    Maybe a few more hands of solitaire will see it return... Writing in Flow

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  8. LisaJuly 22, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    hi alex, and hello karen, i enjoyed the tips, hot milk calms me down:)

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  9. Samantha VérantJuly 22, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    Ahhh- I just go with my crazy!

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  10. Jeremy [Retro]July 22, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    10 golden and great helpful prompts.... though i think i went crazy now it's pulling myself back from the brink oh and the voices in my head.

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  11. SharleneTJuly 22, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    I have a strong belief in taking mini-vacations with gaming or whatever. Most ideas need a gestation period awaiting from internal brainstorming that will reduce it to just a thought. If I really like the idea, I'll start up one of those Hidden Object games, and let my subconscious work it out. Sometime, in the middle of the game -- Eureka! idea enlarged, plot thickens, and there's more work for my editor... Excellent points, all -- thank you. Now, if somebody could explain the blog tour thingy, to me, I could leave this world.

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  12. T. Powell ColtrinJuly 22, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Great list of tips, Karen!

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  13. Suzie F.July 22, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    Thank goodness there are 10! I need all the help staying sane I can get! Great list, Karen.

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  14. Memoirs of Me & MineJuly 22, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Excellent post. I can't wait to read it now.
    www.rebeccabany.com

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  15. LizaJuly 22, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Sometimes I think writing is how I stay sane...

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  16. Susan Flett SwiderskiJuly 22, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Way to go, Karen. It's good to see you letting your funny side show for a change. AND with truth, too! Reading and music keep me sane. (assuming I AM still sane, that is ...)

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  17. L. Diane WolfeJuly 22, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    What about computer Scrabble? Is that an addiction?
    Great tour, Karen.

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  18. NancyJuly 22, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Karen,I had to give up Spider Solitaire but I'm still dependent on support groups and laundry!

    Congratulations on completion of a marvelous tour!

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  19. UnknownJuly 22, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    This was awesome! I loved the tips on revisions... I need a break a lot of times and it really helps to be reminded to take a break!

    HOT TAMALES FOR THE WIN!

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  20. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 22, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Beverly, you have a point!

    Sharlene, I'm all for gaming.

    Susan, she's funny and just doesn't know it!

    Jen - yes!!

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  21. Luanne G. SmithJuly 22, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Excellent advice, and so true!

    Very funny.

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  22. Sarah AhiersJuly 22, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    i partake of the occasional memoir, so i may have to check out her book

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  23. AletaJuly 22, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    I'm not a writer, but my cousin is in the process of finding a publisher for her book and writing another one. I'll have to share you 10 ways to keep sane, because I think she's on the brink! Thanks for sharing your wisdom! :)

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  24. CiaraJuly 22, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Thanks, Alex and Karen. Great tips!

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  25. Jeff BeeslerJuly 22, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    As a writer by default and definition I'm already insane. So I've just learned to embrace that crazy side of me, and instead focus on loving the process for what it is. The only part of the process I'm dreading right now is getting started with that day's project, as I tend to let so many other things get in my way.

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  26. Simon KewinJuly 22, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Most amusing - but great advice. #10 especially ...

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  27. Matthew MacNishJuly 22, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    I keep my head shaved. It helps with the first one.

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  28. Laila KnightJuly 22, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Great interview with Karen Walker. Awesome! Jotting down important info. Keeping hair...would look horrible in pictures. Write down my feelings. That is great advice. I'd love to find an addiction that's good for me. Mini breaks are good...specially if they involve sleep. Does Netflix count as a distraction? I do love socializing with other writers. Thanks for posting. :)

    Alex, I'd be happy to send you the pic of the baby eating the kitten's tail if you really liked it that much. :D

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  29. Charles GramlichJuly 22, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Great advice. I try to do most of these things but I don't always succeed.

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  30. Paul JosephJuly 22, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    I keep a short buzz cut, so hair pulling is never an option. I wonder if this was subconsciously my reason for doing so....

    Stuffing my face is ALWAYS an option. And I forgot how much I used to love playing Spider Solitaire. Thanks for the reminder, Karen!

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  31. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 22, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Sarah, so far it's really good!

    Aleta, don't let her go over the edge.

    Karen, I warned you they rock!

    Matthew, only perfect heads can do that...

    Laila, NetFlix is research, not a distraction! And no, one time seeing it was enough.

    Paul, maybe!

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  32. Jamie GibbsJuly 22, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Thanks for the advice Karen :D I'll keep some hair aside especially for pulling out during queries :D

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  33. Nicki ElsonJuly 22, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Humorous yet wise tips, Karen. Thanks. :) I especially like #9---that's exactly how it happened for me. Whenever Bad Voice told me to stop, my insides churned, just like you said!

    And Alex, thanks for continuing to provide the most excellent distractions.

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  34. Empty Nest InsiderJuly 22, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Thanks Alex and Karen for all the great tips! Chocolate gets me through the day!

    Karen, I've read at least 3 of your posts on your blog tour and I love how you manage to keep them all fresh! Julie

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  35. ~Sia McKye~July 22, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Lololol! You forgot chocolate, Karen. How could you forget that?

    Spades, canasta, and Hoyle's Word Double cross aren't addictions either. Nope. Just something that occupies the screamer in your head so the wise can speak. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  36. Elizabeth Spann CraigJuly 22, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Great tips, Karen! And I think I may need to follow some of these. :)

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  37. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 22, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Nicki, as long as I'm amusing you!

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  38. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comJuly 22, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Karen, so sorry you can't have chocolate. This is a great list, though, and I've never heard of Spider Solitaire (though I'm sure it's not an addiction since there's no 12-step group for it).

    Thanks, Alex.

    xoRobyn

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  39. Golden EagleJuly 22, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    LOL. Will remember that about the hair. :P

    Thanks for the tips!

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  40. Lydia KangJuly 22, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Hi Karen! I like your list, especially the part about the hair loss and valium. :)

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  41. SuzeJuly 22, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    That was really cute, Karen. :)

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  42. M PaxJuly 22, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Fabulous list, Karen, thanks for the chuckles. :) All success on your book.

    I spend my summers at the observatory to stay sane. Lately I'm on a gum kick. Shrug.

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  43. Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague SikesJuly 22, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    I have another comment for keeping sane. Just look at the cover for your book. It's very soothing!!!

    Thank you for having Karen as your guest, Alex!

    Monti

    NotesAlongTheWay

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  44. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 22, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    Robyn, you have a point there - no group, no addiction!

    Mary, my wife's chews gum when she's nervous.

    Karen, it's my pleasure! Your post will be front & center all weekend.

    Monti, it is soothing.

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  45. Susan OloierJuly 22, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    I love #7! I am going to tell myself that throughout the day :-)
    Thanks for hosting Karen. I am a huge fan of memoirs, so I will have to check out her book.

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  46. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Karen: What a perfect place to end your blog tour. And this is truly a humorous list of ways to stay sane!
    Alex: I know you're not a memoir man, but I think you'll enjoy Karen's book. For one thing, it's written so well!!
    Ann Best, Author of In the Memoir, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets

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  47. nutschellJuly 22, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Love this post!Great tips! Thanks for hosting Alex and thanks for the tips< karen! Hmm.. I don't know about not having addictions. For some reason, when I'm writing I need to drink a cup of tea or something every hour. It's a great excuse to get up and stretch, mind you-- as I also have to go to the restroom for breaks!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  48. Jennie BaileyJuly 22, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    Jell-O Temptations French Silk Pie! I love suggestion #2! I think my family is sick of the whining already!

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  49. Rusty CarlJuly 22, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Thanks for the list. I'm all over number 6 - I got that one down.

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  50. Michelle FayardJuly 22, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    What an amusing and wise post, Karen. I’m just sad it’s the last day of your blog tour, as I’ve looked forward to reading your uplifting advice each day. Maybe Alex’s army could persuade you to do a comeback tour? :)

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  51. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 22, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Susan, I think you'll really like it.

    Ann, I am enjoying it so far. Yours is waiting in the wings!!

    Nutschell, that's probably good. I tend to stare at the screen for hours...

    Rusty, I think for most men that one's a no-brainer.

    Michelle, the door is always open for Karen!

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  52. Jemi FraserJuly 22, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Great advice! I find Chai Tea and chocolate help too :)

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  53. Nancy ThompsonJuly 22, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    The one thing that helps me most? Having close friends who are in the exact same boat I am.

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  54. Carol KilgoreJuly 22, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Great list. Except Spider Solitaire and any computer game IS an addiction for me. I'm happy it works for you :)

    Happy Weekend!

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  55. Mary AalgaardJuly 22, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Oh, yes, bring on the hot tomales, junior mints, and licorice. And, since it's screaming hot summer, an occassional rootbeer float. I find the best way to keep sane is talking to friends, especially over coffee. Your memoir must be fascinating, Karen.

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  56. ManzanitaJuly 22, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Alex and Karen,
    Thank you for the list Karen. A lot of us can't afford to lose any more hair. Great tip :)
    You've given some good information on this tour. Thanks.
    Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck

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  57. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 22, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Nancy, you said it.

    Mary, it's really good.

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  58. sweetsueJuly 22, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    These are wonderful tips. I copied them on put them near my keyboard. Thanks!

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  59. Arlee BirdJuly 23, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    This was a fun post with some underlying serious tip. Well done, Karen.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  60. ali crossJuly 23, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    Great tips here Karen. I especially loved the advice to listen to your inner voice--and how to identify the RIGHT voice. Congrats on your book!

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  61. AnonymousJuly 23, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    This has been a great post to read! I couldn;t agree more. I do honor my distractions. Fantasy Baseball and Football are mine. I don;t sweat the breaks from writing.

    And I do trust my gut. Often, its smarter than me.

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  62. Elizabeth MuellerJuly 23, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    Karen, those are gold for every writer! Thank you for sharing the wealth!

    Alex, glad to see you're still the king! ;)

    Happy Friday, guys!

    Click here for my Darkspell giveaway--entries a no brainer. Hurry, ends July 31!

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  63. SueJuly 23, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    Brilliant! Loved it all! I'd add learning to stand on your head, it keeps the blood circulating. Sue

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  64. Glynis Peters July 23, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Great tips from a great lady! I love Karen's book, it is an amazing read.

    Enjoy the weekend, Alex.

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  65. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 23, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Ali, because if you listen to the wrong voice, things could get weird...

    Stephen, I think us guys are better at taking the breaks. We know how to chill!

    Thank you, Elizabeth.

    Sue, I would probably hurt myself...

    Thanks again, Karen. You've amused the Ninja Army - well done!

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  66. AnonymousJuly 23, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Excellent points. Thanks for making me laugh :O)

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  67. RHYTHM AND RHYMEJuly 23, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    I see I've lost a friend.

    Thanks for your help have gone legal.

    Take care
    Yvonne.

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  68. UnknownJuly 23, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    These are some great tips, Karen. I'll have to remember them when I am in the midst of my writing fits.

    Alex this was a great post, one I could really use.

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  69. Helen GingerJuly 23, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    I am so happy to read #7. Now I know it is not an addiction, although it has done nothing to keep me sane.

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  70. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 23, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    Yvonne, I'm sorry! Glad you're taking legal action with your book. That was just wrong what they did.

    Melissa, glad you enjoyed it!

    Helen, addictions are good.

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  71. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyJuly 23, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    I had to laugh at #7. Are you sure? ;) I'm actually going to ask my hubby to remove the games on my laptop because Hearts and spider solitaire have become terrible distractions when I should be writing/revising.

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  72. Julie MusilJuly 23, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    Yay for Karen! You totally cracked me up with this list. Glad to know my hair will still be needed in the future. And I like the idea of writing in my journal instead of boring my husband with every gory detail of my writing life.

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  73. Joanne BrothwellJuly 24, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Great list, Karen. So funny, and so true!

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  74. EllaJuly 24, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    All great tips; thanks so much Karen for sharing! Alex sane for me is walks,popcorn and music...you thought I'd say movies! Okay, movies, too~
    They distract me and take me to another world~

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  75. Michael Di GesuJuly 24, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    You have a delicious sense of humor, Karen... Congrats again on your finished memoir. I LOVED your ten ways to stay sane while writing.

    Alex, always a pleasure to stop by. Have a great weekend.

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  76. Elizabeth MuellerJuly 24, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    Alex! Guess what? You won! Woooot! <3

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  77. Denise Covey July 24, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    Thanks for visiting my blog while I was away Alex. And thanks for hosting Karen today. These are great tips.

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  78. Talli RolandJuly 24, 2011 at 4:43 AM

    Fantastic tips, Karen. I can't wait to read your memoir after all the great blog posts I've read on your tour!

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  79. Alison MillerJuly 24, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    Excellent words of wisdom! Thanks for sharing.

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  80. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 24, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Julie, be he will appreciate that.

    Ella, they are great distractions for me.

    Elizabeth, I won?

    Denise, you're welcome!

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  81. Rhonda @Laugh QuotesJuly 24, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Thanks Alex and Karen. Fun post, although you clearly have not met my dad. Spider Solitaire can be an addiction.

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  82. UnknownJuly 24, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    This was so neat to read : )

    Weird question, Alex ... is it hard to get a "guest blogger"? I never really thought about it until I saw Karen here, but it seems like a neat change in pace :-)

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  83. dolorahJuly 24, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I just cut all my hair off, so there is less to pull out :) I'm always stuffing my face during writing; I try to stick to carrot sticks and celery, but those Ruffles keep sneaking into the dip.

    ......dhole

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  84. Susan Gourley/KelleyJuly 24, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    I do find comfort in the online community when I feel overwhelmed and frustrated. I also prefer Free Cell to Spider Solitaire.
    Good luck with your book.

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  85. LiJuly 24, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    Agree with others about the online community support - since my family roll their eyes and wonder when I'll grow out of this "writing phase". :)

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  86. AmyJuly 24, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    Thank you for sharing Karen - those are really great! :)

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  87. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 24, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    KLo, all you have to do is ask. A lot of my guests ask as well.

    Donna, sneaky Ruffles.

    Li, you just keep writing.

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  88. Hilary Melton-ButcherJuly 25, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    Hi Alex and Karen .. only 100 comments so far - wonderful ..

    1. - you need your hair to dye it red too!!

    Agree with all your points and laugh and smile your way through the day .. and I'm so looking forward to your book arriving ..

    Cheers to you both - enjoy the week .. Hilary

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  89. p.m.terrellJuly 26, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    Love all the tips on staying sane - obviously keeping your sense of humor is right up there! Something else I force myself to do: get out of the house. It's too easy for writers to become solitary creatures. Having a social network that takes you out of your head works wonders.

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  90. UnknownJuly 26, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Great idea and unique words.I think we're learnt a lot here.

    Karen Millen dresses

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  91. Donea LeeJuly 27, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Thanks for hosting Karen, Alex. These top 10 tips are awesome! So fun!! I need to visit her now and tell her so ~ :)

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  92. TinaJuly 27, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Great advice, delivered in the cheeky manner that I love. Nice to meet you, Karen!
    Tina @ Life is Good

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  93. Alex J. CavanaughJuly 28, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Thanks again Karen - you were a big hit!

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