I spent last week in a drunken stupor with my family and some friends in a rented condo on Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. It was away from the touristy all-inclusives and my kids were thrilled to spend every day in the pool (fun fact: I totally could’ve taken them to the Hilton in my hometown for a week and saved a few bucks). My point being, I had some free time on my hands.
I expected to make progress on outlining my current WIP, but had zero interest in pursuing it. I’d scheduled some prewritten blog posts and even managed to scribble some off-the-cuff blog entries, but those were done in under ten minutes while my kids showered. It wasn’t writing as much as a public e-postcard.
For the first few days I was like an antsy college student the week after school ends, when your brain won’t turn off and you feel guilty for not studying or finishing a paper. Although I had my journal with me at all times should the muse strike, a funny thing happened: it didn’t. At all.
Instead I read a ten-year-old John Grisham novel I found in the nightstand.
It’s not like I was too relaxed to write – too drunk maybe, but only after five o’clock (p.m.) – I think my brain just needed a break. From me.
I’m back now and it’s not like I’m suddenly invigorated with dozens of new ideas. I’m not even that relaxed (anyone who has kids or watches Modern Family knows how stressful vacations can be…for the moms, anyway). But it was nice to get out of my head, put the iPhone away and stop tweeting for a few days. Focusing on other things (i.e. does a Mojito taste the same with Splenda?) may be just what I needed to re-focus on my writing.
What about you? Does getting away help you connect with the muse? Tell us all about it…
LD
Andrea
bjas
Sharon
Maria
Restless Writers 
Welcome back, Lori!!! We missed you bunches 🙂 Please tell me that was not your pool. Oh, I am jealous. I need a vacation from myself….
Welcome back. My ideas tend to come when I’m not teaching. Go figure.
By the way, you missed the search bombing fun. This is my co-genius idea of the century and it says Lori Dyan all over it, so I’m going to shameless plug it here: http://ironicmom.com/2011/03/31/search-bombing/
Plus, dear sister from another mister, it’s my acting debut. I haven’t had lessons or anyone like you, but, well, you’ll see. 🙂
Leanne
And “anyone” should say “anything.” I was just too excited and had to press Post Comment.
You are a natural in front of the camera. Expect a call from Mr. Firth shortly demanding your, um, services.
A. Modern Family rocks.
B. Did you feel safe in Mexico? (We’re considering a vacation there and my husband is iffy about the location…)
C. I only get bursts of brilliance when I’m away from any sort of method of writing the ideas down…
And by the time I locate my laptop – or at least a receipt for a round of margaritas on which I might write and a crayon for scratching out my genius?
It’s gone.
That’s how my muse works. Love her.
Julie – we were in a VERY safe/fun area of Mexico: San Jose del Cabo near Cabo San Lucas. Let me know if you want me to email you some info and I will. Also, I think our muses must go for coffee together when we’re searching for inspiration and then plan new ways to drive us insane…