I’ve always thought that if we don’t stretch ourselves, we don’t grow.
But stretching doesn’t always feel good. And sometimes we end up pulling things.
My friend asked if I wanted to go with her to a Zumba exercise class at the YMCA. I was, I’ll admit it, completely horrified. “No, I think I’m good. But thanks.” We continued our conversation and she said again, “Sure you don’t want to go to Zumba with me?” “No thanks.” I changed the subject.
Finally, she brought it up again. “I really think you’d enjoy it, Elizabeth. Why don’t we give that class a try tomorrow?” “Please don’t make me!” I said. Zumba combines all the things I don’t like—large groups of people, socializing, loud music, and an attempt at coordination—into one activity.
But I felt bad about turning down the opportunity. So when my son asked if I’d work out with him at the Y on Thursday, I agreed to do it (it wasn’t a Zumba class.) I walked on the treadmill, but then I hesitantly tried the weight machines. As of right now? I’m sore. But I did receive extra energy from the experience. And I felt proud that I’d given it a go.
Stretching as a writer is good, too. I’m the first to admit that I don’t have a lot of time to try something new. But I do write articles for a local parenting magazine from time to time, just to write something different.
Ways to Stretch as a Writer:
Try reading a different genre.
Try writing a different genre.
Experiment with short stories or drabbles.
Try writing more description.
Try writing less description.
Write a character that’s completely different from any character you’ve written before.
Try writing from a different POV than you usually use.
Try writing humor. Or try writing seriously.
Write a magazine article.
Enter a contest (watch those entry fees, though.)
Or continue writing your usual genre or style, but make it better—don’t be complacent.
What are you doing to stretch yourself?
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My problem is that I like “trying” to write any and everything. What I need to do is to calm down and concentrate on one type of writing for now and find where I shine. I even confessed to some frowning faces today how much I loved writing their technical documents (a how to manual on using a software).
Great post. PS I am sore from exercising yesterday, first time in months.
When starting a new project I always ask myself what is going to make that project different from the last. My biggest worry is that I will end up writing the same story over and over again instead of exploring new territory. My current WIP is trying to include a stronger male presence and is also trying to be more action oriented than my previous writing. Turns out I need to practise writing action sequences because I don’t do them very well.
Thanks for sharing an interesting post.
I wrote a short story off a professor’s prompt recently. The story came out awful. (Some crit partners are very honest – I love that.) I felt uncomfortable writing in a character/voice/scenario that wasn’t my own.
The product was terrible, but the experience was great, because I saw my voice/style from a new angle. The flaws really stood out, which is imperative to improvement, I think.
Great post. :-)
– Corra
the victorian heroine
Elizabeth – What good advice! It’s interesting you’d mention “stretching,” too. In my WIP, there are several characters from different socioeconomic backgrounds, so I’m stretching myself by think about how they speak and act, as opposed to the characters I’ve been writing. It’s interesting and I think, if I do it right, it’ll make the WIP better.
I try stretching the genres I read in. I love murder mysteries, especially cozy, but I like stretching out into other genres to give me a break and also learn new styles of writing.
As for the actual stretching, think I’ll just ride a horse and stay away from the exercising. :)
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Writing a new genre and believe me, it is a stretch beyond streches.
Karen
I wrote my first ever vampire fiction last night. Does that count as stretching? :)
Very well said, good lady. Sometimes it takes getting out of our comfort zone to prompt renewed creativity.
Those are good ideas for stretching.
And I’d skip the Zumba class, too.
I am devoting this summer to stretching my writing and body! I’m pushing myself to write longer stories and lose a few pounds. :)
We are so much alike, Elizabeth. I could have written the sentence that begins “Zumba combines all the things I don’t like….” But I agree that stretching is good in all things. I’m working on wips right now that are not mysteries, and it’s like a great new adventure.
Now if I could only take that approach to exercise…
Keeping with the metaphor I’d have to say that stretching isn’t what I need right now. I already write in almost every possible fashion and genre (mystery, literary, magazine articles, govt. projects, poetrey and so on). I need muscle building in one – at this time it is in literary fiction. I need to really work the revising muscles and not go off to do some other thing. Cross-training is great though but right now I’ve got be like an Olympic hopeful – totally one-pointed!
Sad confession: I’d never heard of “Zumba” until this post. It sounds intriguing and yet terrifying at the same time.
I like your suggestions.
I hear you on the exercise class – not for me. I have started using the elliptical trainer out in the garage. Gotta do it early, though, since the Texas heat gears up fast.
Ooo, yes I like trying different things! It can be hard moving out of my comfort zone, but it’s always entertaining seeing what I come up with writing something new. That’s one of the reasons I like writing prompts and exercises so much!
Teresa–That’s what Jan said, too! I’d go with your favorite genre…what section of the library or bookstore do you gravitate toward, first?
Cassandra–I worry about that, too. And I’m not great at action scenes, either–I don’t write many of them, despite writing in the mystery genre.
Corra–Sounds like it ended up being a great exercise for you, despite the discomfort!
Simon–Since I don’t *see* you writing vampire fiction, I think that definitely qualifies as a stretch!
Alex–There’s no WAY I could Zumba. I can’t even dance. I can barely walk through a door without hitting my shoulder on the doorjamb. How would I be able to exercise while dancing? :)
Jan–So you need more focus, instead! I think it’s great that you’re able to write so many different genres and styles. :)
Margot–Oh, definitely! Writing people from different backgrounds is always a challenge.
Helen–I bet it’s *already* really hot there. We’ve been over 90 for over a week now.
Mason–I like to try reading different things, too–keeps it fresh.
Riding a horse is supposed to be great exercise! Good for the muscles, right?
Karen–I get that feeling sometimes, too! But at the end, I’m usually happy with the result.
Laura–Good point–writing prompts are also a good way to challenge ourselves!
I stretch myself a lot, as far as writing goes. I love it, it’s one of my favorite things to do. :) Which is weird, but it does help my overall writing skill improve, I think. Thanks for that list. :)
To stretch myself (as an author): Keep trying to perfect my memoirs and to get deeper into the YA genre, both through reading and writing.
Glad I just found you through Karen Walker’s blog. I hope to read some of your work soon.
Switching from YA fiction to self-help non-fiction was a stretch! IF I ever write fiction again, I intend to do something other than YA, too.
I think it’s a GREAT idea! You know what? Those authors that crank out TONS of books… sometimes they write one in a different genre, and I generally think it’s their best one. My favorite Grisham? It’s called A Painted House… no lawyer at all. My favorite Follet? Pillars of the earth (no spies). My OPINION is because publishers make them keep doing what they KNOW they can do, and they grow, but FINALLY when they have a name, they get to write the book they really WANTED to write all this time.
My current stretching? I am trying to be more ‘beautiful’ in how I term things… using language that… while not literary, is evokative of what I mean instead of just straight saying it. I’m doing it on my WriMo, which I know will need a ton of cleaning, but I’ve been pretty happy with it so far.
I definitely agree that trying something new, whether it is writing related or just a new facet of living is important. When I move back and forth between different genres and story lengths, I always learn something new (or am pointed to some new aspect by virtue of the differences between the two projects). I think it is great when you can knowingly tap into that energy for a boost in your regular writing, and I’ve found it helpful too as I am still deciding on where my fit is.
I’ve been doing hard, manual labor in my new organic compost business with my youthful son … good Lord what a
“stretch” for this Old Silly, lol. But I’m gettin’ in shape, that’s for sure!
I agree – stretching is so important. I tried the steampunk I’m working on for that very reason. And I’m loving it! :)
Oh boy, have I been stretching a lot lately in my writing. And you’re right, I sure do feel sore.
But, I feel good about myself. Now, how do I stretch my writing and lose weight at the same time?
CD
I love Journaling Woman’s comment. I like trying everything too. Thankfully, however, I’ve been able to keep myself confined to the juvenile lit arena. This helps some.
But every once in a while I’m extremely thankful for my job of writing court reports. It stretches a different part of my brain.
Hope your body feels better soon.
Bethany Elizabeth –I’m convinced that it really does help. Works out a different part of our brain!
Ann–Thanks so much for coming over! And good luck with your memoir and YA writing.
Diane–I love that you switched to nonfiction. I think I’d love to try nonfiction in a couple of years.
Janel–Longer sounds like a plan! And good luck with the pounds. I think walking works just as well!
Patricia–And I forgot to mention the mirrors. I’m so uncoordinated and mirrors make it worse–I get confused on rights and lefts when I see myself in a mirror. Gosh, but I have issues! And thankfully I could get out of Zumba. I’d have been laughed out of the room, I’m sure.
Hart–Oh, I think it’s MUCH easier to write something different if you’re a big name. I guess midlisters could still write something different, but submit it to the publisher with their publishing resume of the OTHER genre–and then use a pen name for the very different genre they’ve tried.
I like that–describing things in elegant terms.
Elspeth–Terrifying is right! I doubt my friend will ask me again. :)
Bluestocking–So well put! Yes, I get insights on my fiction when I write articles, etc. Even the structure or the organizing of a project can give me ideas on handling something very different.
Marvin–I think that’s the coolest thing. You’re spending time with your son and doing something completely different. Actually, you do something completely different ALL the time–I know you started playing your instrument again, too.
Clarissa–You’re not going to believe this–but I went back to the gym Friday with my son and I propped up my little notebook and wrote on the treadmill. The treadmill had a little compartment in front where you could put your keys…or a notebook. :) I figure I’m *already* nerdy–why not go whole-hog with it? My son was a little embarrassed, but oh well! I wrote and exercised at the same time…it’s possible! But only if you don’t care what you look like. :)
Jemi–I’m VERY curious about steampunk. It combines a lot of elements that I really enjoy in a book. It’s definitely on my reading list.
Catwoods–I think juvenile lit is wonderful–and there’s such a range of material you could write for it!
I’ve always thought court reporting was fascinating. I bet you DO work a totally different part of your brain!
I love this post! I agree that we must be willing to stretch as writers. I used to swear I didn’t want to write YA. Then I read books by a few friends of mine. They made me realize YA wasn’t at all what I thought it was. And guess what? I loved it.
When I write novels, I think I am a bit ´traditional´, but I like participating in flash fiction contests and writing exercises – because they force me to try new techniques, characters, settings etc.
But writing drabbles, what does that mean?
I write works of different lengths just for fun- flash fiction, a novellette in progress, a novella etc…