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Thursday, August 25, 2011

the zone

Earlier today I went running with my dog. It’s the same path we’ve been running every summer for a few years now. We both know it well and it isn’t too far from home so I can let him do his thing – running and sniffing – while I do mine. It was pretty nice out, sunny, dry, temperature hovering around 72 degrees, and a nice breeze. A near perfect day for running. And just as I cut back on to the regular mowed trail I got into the zone. If you run you know it’s where your pacing is just right. You’re neither running too fast nor too slow. Your arms are moving in perfect motion, and you’ve captured the rhythm of breathing to match that pace so that running is almost effortless.You're in the zone.

Likewise, if I’m writing I don't have to think too hard. The words just come to me. And if I left my characters in a pickle I can suddenly see how to get them out. If I'm revising I know which words/phrases to cut and how to close the gap. Or if I'm starting something new the various plot lines are like a puzzle I've already figured out, the characters people I know, and words flow like wine from head to fingers to screen, like magick.



How do you know you're in the zone?

8 comments:

  1. When I really don't want to stop writing!

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  2. Yay for you!!

    I wish I could be in my own zone! LOL!! All my writing draws blood and tears and is quite vampiric! LOL! And I wouldn't mind but what I end up with is more often than not a complete mess! LOL!

    Take care
    x

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  3. I love being in the zone. Just feels like everything is clicking together like it should. It's writing without doubt.

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  4. I'm not a runner but I'm a big-time jogger. Love it. Love it. Love it. Glad to read you got yourself in the zone. Keep up the great work.

    Go you. Rah.

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  5. Writing in the zone is like self-hypnosis. The rest of the world falls away and all that exists is you and the magical flow of words. It's euphoric ... until the rest of the world intrudes and wants to know what's for dinner ...

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  6. Alex and Liza, so true!

    Old kitty, I don't get in the zone nearly as much as I would like, but it sure is sweet.

    LG, 'writing without a doubt,' I like that!

    Happy, yeah, I'm not sure I'd really call what I do run, it's probably more of a slow jog :)

    Susan, self hypsosis...another great analogy!

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  7. what does the zone mean?

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