May 9, 2008
Step away from the computer.
Are you having trouble coming up with a creative concept, a perfect paragraph, or a striking subhead?
Then take my advice: Take a break.
When I’m feeling blocked, I head outside and weed my garden or walk my dog. Mindless, repetitive tasks like these seem to spark great ideas in me. And I’m amazed at how often I’ll work late into the night, struggling with a project, only to wake up the next morning with the perfect copy solution.
Apparently, even though my conscious mind is happily numb while I garden, walk, and sleep, my subconscious is diligently working out my copy issues. How cool is that?
So next time you’re faced with a copywriting challenge, instead of banging your head on the keyboard, get up and do something else. The more mindless, the better.
Just remember: Naps are not billable to your client.
Filed by rebecca at 9:24 am under Copywriting
I come up with my best ideas in the shower and in the car!
- J
That’s the best advice you can give someone. Step AWAY from the computer!
The key is to know when to stop.
From personal experience I found out that my optimum is 5-6 hours a day. That’s 5-6 solid hours of productive, original, good-quality writing. I break it up into 2-3 sessions of a few hours each. After that, my brain is fried.
I’ve learned the hard way, if there is a deadline and even if I force myself to work longer, I end up writing the same sentence over and over, and it’s just crap. The net effect is zero.
No sense in working at it if you can’t produce anything good. That’s when it’s time to do the other administrative work that requires little or no thought. Meanwhile, give your right half of the brain a rest.
Ah, the infamous Deep Friar! So glad you dropped by. Your schedule sounds a lot like mine. More than 6 hours at the computer and I’m no good to my clients or myself. It’s a great idea to fill those late afternoon hours with invoicing, marketing, reading, blogging, etc. …
Hi Rebecca
Wow. I didn’t realize I was so infamous!
Yeah, I write technical and procedural documents at work all day. We have self imposed “deadlines”, but I get to the point that I can no longer read what I’ve written anymore, I’m just so sick of it.
I just finished a 2500 word procedure that had ELEVEN reviewers. Sheesh!
What I need to do is put the documents away for a week or so, and come back fresh. Unfortunately, it doen’t always work that way. You’re supposed to keep at it. So we end up hashing out the same paragraphs over and over, working at 40% efficiency.
This is why I take breaks and check out other blogs. Like I’m doing now.
I can’t wait to have a garden in which to work. I find cooking very soothing, and going to museums to look at paintings. Both refill my creative well.
Great advice!
Friar: You write technical and procedural documents ALL DAY? No wonder your blog is so funny — what a perfect outlet for you! Keep up the great work.
Devon: Gardening is truly therapy for me. I recommend it to anyone: green- or black-thumbed. Good call with cooking, though! I’m with you there. Cooking and baking is wonderful, mindless work … with delicious results!