Along with writing for a living, in the last nine years I've written nearly a million words of fanfic and two books. I love writing, I love it, I love it with shouty fire.
However.
Sometimes I just want to drop-kick my laptop out the window, shouting obsenities after it.
The feeling is not unfamiliar, so I know that when it comes, so shall it go. I've also learned what to do in the meantime.
Turning Turtle: Recharging My Creativity
* Saturday's Become Sacrosanct
I turn turtle to recharge, booking nothing on Saturday that I can book some other day. Then I watch TV, hang out with people I love, read lusty fanfiction, answer comments, Skype with friends.
* Stay in my Jim-Jams
The symbolic "laziness" of wearing pajamas for most of the day relaxes my brain, getting me to a restful mental space quicker.
* Read My Own Work
I'm one of the lucky writers who likes her own stories, so sometimes I reread them to understand that, well, I did it before, I can do this again.
* Or Sometimes I Read Nothing
On the other hand, I find reading great fiction can make me doubt the strength of my own skills, so I'll just…not. No fic, no print books, no reading. Just…just a lot of Great British Bake Off. Like so much GBBO.
What're your strategies?