Get in your writing groove with a dance break

As important as it is to get in the zone when you’re writing, it’s equally important to get out of your chair once in awhile and shake yourself up a bit.

That’s where the writer’s dance break comes in.

Even Daniel Pinkwater, author of “The Neddiad: How Neddie Took the Train, Went to Hollywood, and Saved Civilization,” took breaks from writing to stomp around outside. In describing how he wrote The Neddiad, Pinkwater said:

“After having been thought about for an indeterminate period, the book was written in one go, starting with the Autumnal Equinox, and finishing with the Vernal Equinox, during which time the author only had on street clothes a dozen times, and used to stomp up and down the driveway in his jammies for exercise. The actual writing was done in a more or less upright position while seated in a special-of-the-month extra-heavy-duty desk chair from Staples.”

Pinkwater knows the value of stepping away from the computer. Beyond the fabulous physical benefits of the dance break, it’s good for alleviating that fried feeling from hours of staring at a computer monitor.

As far as what to dance to, I suggest getting your groove on with “Walk This Way” or “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” by Aerosmith.

So the next time you’re feeling a little burned out, take a dance break. When you go back to your writing, you just may find a renewed rhythm to your wild words.

What’s your dance break soundtrack?