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Great reminder! I exploit much more than I explore , and in an effort to tip the scales, I just decided to scale back how much I publish. The saying that living life is the best fuel for creative work is so true !! I have no idea how some creators publish every single day- on multiple platforms. I tried and it leaves me so empty.

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Scaling back is a good way for rejuvenation and to fill our creative well. And when that well overflows, it is time to channel that to our work. I have experienced bursts of tons of publishing and then nothing for months. I think we all go through these cycles.

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Absolutely! It’s definitely a cycle to experience a burst of creativity and then burnout- and the question is , how to balance it all ?

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That's a million dollar question, because as soon as you think you have figured out, something makes it go out of whack again. I think it's going to be a life-long quest.

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I have reading time scheduled each day. Not as much as Stephen King (although I'd love to), but I read every night, most often in my fiction genre (historical mystery). That way I bookend my day with two things I love, the morning for writing and the evening for reading. But I find I also need "imagining" time as well, to really make my fiction work.

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'Imagining time' is an interesting thought. I often meditate for a few minutes before starting on something new. That is when I collect my thought and think about what I want to say. I think you can call it 'imagining time.' Although my imagination work best when I am reading something. I often jot down my thought/ idea during reading.

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I often find that I solve plot problems or plan the next step of my story when I'm gardening or walking the dog or similar types of activities. It doesn't always work and sometimes I listen to the BBC world service instead, but I have definitely had some breakthroughs by letting my imagination wander.

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I used to listen to podcasts while walking, but I have stopped doing that. I don't need more input. What I need is my conscious brain to observe and my unconscious brain to make connections while I walk. Now when I come back from walks I feel rejuvenated.

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Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this little slice of wisdom Neera. I made a couple of Evernotes from your insights: 'a creative refinery' and slightly more mysteriously: 'whatever fancies her'. It made me wonder if this was deliberate and/or cultural - I'd have said 'whatever she fancies', but your phrase is far more intriguing - the concept that ideas find people they fancy, and not the other way around 🤔🙏

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Not that you mention it Steve, 'whatever fancies her,' has a much deeper meaning. I think in my subconscious, I think, things grab us rather than we grab them. I would want my days to be freeer, but something grabs me almost every day and forces me to explore it. I feel guilty about it. I think the 'thing' is wasting my time. But it is saying, 'pay attention, I will be worth it.'

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What a fabulous reminder to us all, to get out there and look at things, anything, trees, skies, people, places.

Think about what you've seen, and take photos, write about it!

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Exactly! That is what we want to do. That's the fun stuff. When we do plenty of that we have plenty of material to harness. Thanks for your note Carolyn.

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Gathering material, and playing around in a variety of ways to use it, what a lovely way to spend time!

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It indeed is.

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Thanks again Neera! I put a link to your post in my blog here https://sueclancy.com/flying-pigs-and-being-human/

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Thank you Sue, I noticed your note as well. I got to learn how to use notes too. I will get there, one day!

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It's all good! I appreciated your inclusion of my work in your newsletter so I told about it via Substack Notes and via my Wordpress blog www.sueclancy.com - I wish you the best!

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Catching up on my substack reading this lazy Sunday morning (usually I’m an afternoon reader like King) and yours is the third about sketching. I’ll take it as a sign to return to making bad art--a little sketch in the journal to start my morning pages.

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Sketching is not bad art. It is process to get in touch with the child in you. See it from the eyes of a mother of a three-year-old.

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Neera -

Your explore v. exploit idea makes sense.

I should use it separate my goals, so I can read without guilt.

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'Read without guilt' is such a great way to put it. I might 'steal' this term and use it in my writing. Reading used to be an intellectual thing. Something only a small number of people engaged in. Not it has become a guilty pleasure.

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When stuck it’s a good reminder to spend time exploring and collecting ideas. Then we can exploit them. Although I prefer the term express.

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"Express" is a much better term, Rodney. I think I will use that in future. Thanks for suggesting.

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Oh how kind of you to mention my sketchbook newsletter!! Thank you!! Yes, almost every morning I play in my sketchbook while I'm still in that half-asleep stage. And as someone else comments look at everything and read as widely as possible. I wish you the best! And thanks again for mentioning me!! ❤

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You are welcome Sue. I am learning a lot from reading your newsletter and watching your sketches. I write for an hour as soon as I wake up. I am going to dedicate pre-lunch time as my exploration time. I have challenged myself to make 100 sketches based on my insights and learning. I will post them on LinkedIn and Instagram. Let's hope I make through the challenge.

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You can do it!! Have fun!!! And thanks again!!

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