Resolved (Part 4) – Add ‘I Breaks’ to your Writing arsenal

Let’s talk about “I Breaks.”

Friday, I discussed  “Eye Breaks,” simple ways to combat the physical stress of eye strain and other afflictions of the chronically chair-bound.

“I Breaks” are simple ways to combat the psychological and emotional stress that can strike at the heart (literally) of the lonely writer.

Writing is a solitary art.  Boarders may scratch to a halt in a public park and watch curiously over the shoulder of some guy struggling in front of a watercolor canvas.  The Writer’s pen labors in obscurity.

As tedious as marble sculptor might prove to be, I suspect an artist’s hand looming motionless over a block of Italian Alabaster is high drama compared to the blocked writer’s flop sweat plunking to the keyboard at his fingertips.

The dynamic hum and mold at a potter’s wheel?  A Jackie Chan double-feature.

Writing truly is a solitary art (except in the various branches of government, where “writing by committee” is elevated to an art form – much to the detriment of the public welfare).

Vivid scenes of high drama and romance are splashed with silent screams across synapses totally inside the Writer’s brain.  The Writer wearies of sound of his own voice ... even if he hasn’t spoken a word aloud since barking at the dog three hours ago.

Solitary confinement can be a problem for writers clad in a metaphorical jumpsuit of neon orange.

That “stand up and stretch” I recommended Friday?  Pace into the kitchen a grab lunch.  Flop in the armchair and check out the latest goings-on in Mayberry.

If that seems too frivolous, read (nothing too heavy ... it’s a break, remember?), pitch some tunes onto the CD player, or play a game of pocket poker.

Toby Ziegler bounced a pink rubber ball against a plate-glass wall.  Rob Petrie had a piano at his beck and call in the writer’s room to help inspire Buddy and Sally whenever ideas dried up.

(FYI: Experimenting with karaoke is ill-advised except to inoculate against intense and otherwise irresolvable inclination toward isolation-induced infirmity.)

Sometimes, though, such comfort food leads only to a counterproductive nap.  A stroll to the park might be a better remedy – a heart-pumping, head-clearing jog through the hills, if you’re so inclined (cold, snowy weather is best, followed closely by rankly sweaty climes).

And, as good as these I Breaks may prove to be, a “We Break” can be equally invigorating: Busy yourself with real conversation – the sound of someone else’s voice for a change: Coordinate your admittedly erratic schedule with family and friends.  Carve out some quality time with networking colleagues and other members of your adoring public.

Bottom line, all manner of I Breaks can produce long-term benefits for your physical, mental and financial well-being ... unless, of course, it is precisely the madness of your muse that inspires your pen-on-paper / fingers-on-the-keyboard art.

Next: Resolved (Part 5)

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