Early on in my technical career, I was contracted by Microsoft to write some of their certification exams. When they were releasing a new product, it was a brilliant way to push the technical partners to train and adopt the new product and also convince their customer base that there were partners ready and able to help them implement the new technology.
The questions went something like:
You are updating your Microsoft browser to the latest version and restart your computer. When you put in your password, multiple dialogue windows pop up and disappear faster than you can read them. You are quite certain a nefarious group has taken over your computer. What should you do (check all that apply)?
- Go for a walk
- Hurl the computer out the nearest window
- Buy an Apple product
- Introduce yourself to the visitors
Well, not really like that because I distinctly remember trying to use the word “nefarious” in one of my questions and having it stricken by the editors for being too colorful. My admiration goes out to all the teachers, professors, and lecturers reading this because it is so hard to write good exams (yes, I’m thinking of you, Read Between the Lyme, Vicki, Brenda and many more).
I’m thinking of this exam writing because I read an interesting post by Jack Canfora about trying a different style of writing when you are stuck or want to get out of a groove. In the post, The Virtue of Walking in Different Shoes Jack tries his hand at writing Bob Dylan lyrics and extols the practice of writing something entirely different as a way to break away from our habits.
It reminded me of a great post that I recently saw from WritingfromtheheartwithBrian, The Best Laid Plans where he wrote a short story instead of his usual thoughtful essays. And I thought of the post from Todd, There is Try: Why Yoda Was Wrong where he tried songwriting even though it was outside his comfort zone.
So, here’s my question for you:
You are feeling like writing doesn’t love you any more or maybe the other way around. Your adjectives no longer sparkle and you feel exhausted by the thought of taking one more try at coming up with the witty post that you know you are capable of. What should you do?
- Go for a walk
- Hurl the computer out the nearest window
- Buy an Apple product, or frankly just buy anything that will distract you.
- Try writing something different – a poem, a menu, something in the 3rd person, some dialogue with a character that is your polar opposite.
P.S. This is my attempt at humor, which is not my comfort zone for writing. For another example, I’ve tried writing some verse on my personal blog in a post entitled: Writing for a Different Result.
Please check out these other items of interest:
More about Wynne Leon and the personal journey to become a single mom, writer and speaker
Workshop about cultivating resilience through creativity that I delivered with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
Speaking and workshops on how to use creativity to spark innovation, problem-solving and strong teams
Podcast about the how and why of creativity
Resources for corporate creativity
Corporate needs assessment for cultivating team creativity
Individual survey for stoking the creative fire
You can find me on Instagram and Twitter @wynneleon
(featured photo from Pexels)