Don't Be a Zombie When You Write

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You're in the mushy middle, trudging along, plugging away at the keyboard. Maybe you have an outline you're following, maybe you're just pantsing your way through. But your brain feels as mushy as the second act, and you keep losing focus and checking your Twitter feed. You forgot about a blogpost you meant to check earlier, your kids need craft supplies for their school projects, your car needs an oil change...


Sound familiar? You're turning into a writing zombie.


We've all been there. It's hard to focus, especially when you feel like you're trudging uphill through sludge. 


What can you do to prevent staggering around your neighbors lawn searching for flesh? Or at least becoming lost in your manuscript and never making it out?

• Take a break. Go take a walk or watch your favorite show. Read a good book! Anything to have some you time.
• Throw something bad at your MC. What can you toss in there that will make her life that much harder? Go for it! See what happens.
• Be a method actor. Try doing something your character enjoys that you don't. Singing? Running? Cooking? Try bonding with them. Maybe you'll figure something new out about them based on your experience. 
• Take a detour. Do you outline? Do you have an idea where you're going? Change course. Ask your character to do something unexpected and see what happens. Don't think he would? Give the choice to another character and see what happens. You can always take it out, but it might get you thinking along a brand new line.
• Change your routine. Do you normally write at night? Wake up early and write for an extra half hour. Take your laptop or a notebook to the park or a coffee shop. Switch your chair. 
• Call a friend or critique partner. There's nothing like writer peeps to help you out when you're down. 

What else can you do to prevent turning into a writing zombie?