Wednesday, April 06, 2011

E is for Exercise

I'm into fitness. I go to the gym enough that the people know my name. I run, swim, bike, swing kettlebells and do circuits.

Writing is a sedentary activity unless you have an awesome treadmill desk. Exercise can keep writers in shape.

Exercise can boost creativity and mood. Even though I exercise almost every day I do not have a perfect body but I still make a daily commitment to exercise. Fitness is a journey. So is writing.

Exercise also boosts confidence. Endorphins are good things. Writer's block, the worst first draft ever and a mailbox full of rejections are a lot easier to take after a three mile run.

Writing exercises can also be helpful to a writer. There is nothing worse than writers block. This is a lot like getting to the gym without a plan of what to do. Rather than face the blank page find a book of writing exercises to get the creative juices flowing. Yesterday I interviewed my character.

Here are some books of writing exercises that I like:
The Pocket Muse : Ideas and Inspiration for Writing - Monica Wood
The Pocket Muse Endless Inspiration: New Ideas for Writing - Monica Wood
Writing the Breakout Novel- Donald Maass
Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir- Natalie Goldberg

Is Exercise a part of your daily routine? What are your favorite writing exercises? Favorite fitness tip?

14 comments:

Alicia Gregoire said...

*sigh* I used to exercise daily. I had a personal trainer who kicked my butt twice a week and I loved it. I really should go back.

Unknown said...

Alicia- you should totally go back. When I do circuit class or kettlebells I don't think of it as working out, I think of preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse and that helps motivate me.

Rob-bear said...

Exercise. Climbing up and down the stairs a dozen times a day, or more. (My study is in the basement; most other things happen on the main floor.)

Writing exercise. Writing op-ed columns for a major newspaper.

Fitness tip: Don't over-do it. Especially at the beginning. (To put it another way, if you have the urge to exercise, just sit down and relax; the urge will pass.)

Rob-bear said...

P.S.: Thanks for dropping by my blog!

Sarah said...

Taking dance class is my treat to myself, but sometimes it's hard to step away from the keyboard!

Lindsay N. Currie said...

I REALLY need to get jogging again. I'm a tennis player and so I get a heck of a workout from that, but I don't play everyday. You have inspired me - I need to get back into it big time.

Jaydee Morgan said...

I'm one of those people who hate exercise. I know, it's bad but it's me. Although, once the summer hits, I'm a golf fanatic so I get most of my yearly exercise on the course.

Christina Lee said...

Totally-- walks with my dog (and pilates) are the BEST for brainstorming!!

Julie Flanders said...

I so agree that exercise can boost creativity. I wouldn't have thought that, but since I started walking regularly I've noticed a big difference. I used to hate exercise, but now I'm come to enjoy it, which I never thought I'd say.

Thanks for the list of writing books, I am going to check those out.

Alison Miller said...

Woohoo!!! I love that you posted about exercise too! It's so mind-opening!

Marie Rearden said...

I work out in the early mornings, before the sun comes up and the world wakes up. That way, it's 'me' time where I can jump and sweat and clean my brain-slate for the day ahead. It would be the best time to write, but alas, I have a job that demands I go in order to get paid. Crazy, I know!

Thanks for sharing!

Marie at the Cheetah

Jonathon Arntson said...

The circuit and I are good old pals.

I like the analogy between fitness and writing. Well said.

Lisa Galek said...

I wish I exercised. I have no stamina at all, so I'm worn down by even walking for a little while. I do think you're onto something with that desk treadmill, though!

Writing exercises are a lot less exhausting - I'm going to have to look some of these up!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Yes. For all the reasons you mention. I went to my workout yesterday and felt much better, plus the people in class were sympathetic to my loss of a dear pet. Today, I'll take a nice, long walk with a friend. I'm always inspired after a good walk. Nice blog!