Recently, I took my first solo road trip since the pandemic. Before Covid, being on the road by myself was one of my joys in life. I loved being able to put both the car and my brain on cruise control for a few hours and let both coast along; it’s where some of my best writing ideas have come from. However, on this trip I found myself lost on a strange back road in a part of California that had been a virus hot spot, the sun was setting, and my anxiety was bubbling over.
Everything felt off-the-rails. And just as I was about to reach total meltdown, I saw it. The button on my GPS cradling a calming affirmation, Re-center. I hit that button so fast I almost cracked my phone screen. Soon, I was back on the main highway headed for home.
Back in the safety of my office, I thought about this trip, and the many times I’ve felt this sense of lost control with my writing. The times when routines, and pomodoros, and all the other tricks weren’t working and how I was failing to motivate myself. I had to find new ways to re-center. Before the pandemic, my go-to was, in retrospect, a bit abusive. Forcing myself to sit in my chair until I wrote a number of words or pages, for example. Or withholding things I enjoyed until I hit my goal. Effective, yes. But I realize if someone told me they were doing these things to someone they loved I would take issue with it. So why was I doing them to myself?
If there is one thing that I’m grateful for after these last few years, is having found other ways, kinder ways, to re-center when my writing just isn’t doing what I want it to do. My favorite of which is to sit in my favorite cozy space with a cup of tea and write a letter to my work. This one-part love letter and one-part gentle critique speaks openly and honestly about what I love about it, what’s working and why I feel like it’s working, how the story or characters make me feel, and why I believe its message is of value to the world. And then I’ll address the things that aren’t working, again, with kindness. Instead of making pleas and demands, I’ll ask questions without expecting answers in that moment. Usually, the answers will come. I’ve learned how to treat my work like a friend, and the breakthroughs have been incredible.
Another thing that has helped when I’ve needed re-centering has been connecting with other picture book authors. By now, hopefully, you’ve also witnessed just how open and accessible the writers in this group are; it’s one of the many wonderful aspects I boast about 12×12 to anyone who will listen. So, I thought it only appropriate that I reach out to a few author friends whose work and wisdom I value to ask how they re-center when it feels like everything is off-the-rails. Here are the ways they re-center themselves with kindness and self-care.
Daria Peoples, author of I GOT NEXT; AMERICA, MY LOVE, AMERICA, MY HEART; and (full disclosure) illustrator of our book SHOW THE WORLD! releasing April 5th.
In the morning, the first thing I turn to is prayer and meditation. Sometimes that looks like journaling or writing poetry when I don’t have many words. However, re-centering requires stillness, which is often hard for me to achieve without physical activity. Learning to honor each breath is a necessary practice for me. It reminds me of how fragile life is and why my wholeness should always be a priority. I practice hot yoga and pilates, and I love to take long, exhausting walks. I usually leave those classes and end those walks with a new way to approach my work. During the pandemic, I began establishing rituals before I began working, which also re-centers me, like lighting a candle and reciting the same prayer before I begin or even after I get stuck. I also try to find new ways to add joy to my work, like sipping on a sweet, warm drink while I write or taking a hot bath while I read research, and my favorite—painting or drawing in nature. Whenever calmness and joy become one, I am re-centered, and my creativity flows much more freely.
Leah Henderson, author of A DAY FOR REMEMBERIN’ and DADDY SPEAKS LOVE
Right now, finding balance and re-centering myself feels like a moment-to-moment challenge. Any given second, something can come into my space to derail me—an email, a thought, a glimpse of the news, someone’s callous words, or characters just not acting right. But the main thing I try to remember and focus on is what I can personally control in those moments, or in any moments really. I think about the reasons why I came to a particular story, or why a certain idea or spark of inspiration filled my head and heart. Then I almost try and uncork it again or tap back into it to right myself. I use it as my compass and guide to find my way back to center.
Nadia Salomon, author of GOODNIGHT GANESHA
How do I re–center when everything feels off-the-rails? When Angela asked me this question, it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I’m under deadline. I’m behind on homework for a class I’m taking, and a host of other things that have left me off-the-rails.
It’s as if the universe channeled this question and is now awaiting a response. So, here it is…
I had to think about what re-center meant? According to the Webster Dictionary, it means “to cause (oneself or one’s thoughts or emotions) to become centered again.”
When I think of the word re-center, I think it means ‘focus’ – I liken it to the lens of a camera. When my camera blurs or goes out of focus, I adjust the lens to become clear and sharp to take a photograph. Also, I feel re-centering means to stop listening to all the noise, stop looking at all the clutter, stop chasing after ‘everything’, and just focus on one thing that makes me happy – even if it’s just for a moment.
It could be sitting out in the yard and watching nature. Or indulging in a slice of tiramisu with my golden owl mug filled with a warm drink and a favorite track on repeat. That track had been, Cut My Lip by Twenty-one Pilots, but I just switched it out for Phantogram’s Black Out Days.
It’s moments like these that help me find my center, so that I can sharpen my focus and get back on track.
Nyasha Williams, author of I AFFIRM ME: THE ABCs OF INSPIRATION FOR BLACK KIDS
Being a transracial adoptee raised by two humanitarians, I have always been shown that there is always work to be done in terms of making our world a more equitable and loving space. In my work as an activist, creator and author, I operate deeply in that work using my projects, creations and voice to aid in the decolonizing, indigenizing and liberating of our communities and society. As a Black woman I understand that re-centering myself has to be part of my everyday practice, while we continue to operate and live in systems (systemic racism, capitalism, the patriarchy and colonization), that have and continue to cause harm to everyone and were implemented with comfort and luxury not planned to be accessible to all. Recentering involves me remembering my anchor, my reminder of my soul mission and what my light working looks like down here on our planet. My anchor grounds my decision making and is the seed in any project I undertake. My anchor is rooted in assuring that future generations are better off than the generations before them. That their world’s systems are more equitable, regenerative, antiracist, and sustainable. I keep myself available to continually do this work by not giving to others when my cup is full but giving from the overflow. While living in the rough and heavy, I create towards building the world I dream of and believe in.
Angela Dalton, currently in her third year of 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, is the author of IF YOU LOOK UP TO THE SKY and RUBY’S REUNION DAY DINNER (which is a 12×12 Picture Book!). She has two forthcoming books including SHOW THE WORLD! out April 5th, 2022, and TO BOLDLY GO: HOW NICHELLE NICHOLS AND STAR TREK ADVANCED CIVIL RIGHTS out 2023.
Angela is offering a copy of Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner at the March check-in! Go write those drafts and work those revisions!
187 Responses
Recentering and refocusing in a world full of distractions is difficult! Thank You for sharing some of the things each of you do. All of these ideas are going in my handy dandy toolkit!
Angela, reminding us to be kind to ourselves is a “re-centering” in itself. Listening to published authors and illustrators talk of their journeys to publishing, I’ve often found myself pushing to achieve, striving to produce, and forgetting the process, the joy. As a pre-published author, I keep erasing the image of myself standing on one side of a “glass wall” with my nose pressed against it as I watch authors and illustrators celebrate on the other side. Streamers and confetti are flying while people open up boxes of their debut books and hug the hardcovers to their heart. My “evil-twin” says, “You’re not good enough to break that wall. To join the publishing party. Give up.” I’ve learned through the honesty and encouragement of “gurus” like Julie Hedlund and Suzanne Leonard Hill that those are false realities and to keep believing in ourselves, to persevere, to be kind to ourselves when we’re “off-the-rails.” So, thank you for your words and for taking the time to ask others about how they re-center. For me, I take moments to watch the bossy birds outside my home office window, to stroll around my neighborhood, to sit in my easy chair and scratch my cat’s neck, to be still and listen to my breath. I take time to be grateful for my day of living, for the chance to write stories…and someday, I’ll be opening my box of debut books and doing a Happy Dance. Sending you energy and inspiration for continued success….
I love reading about all the different ways people re-center themselves. For me, it helps to step back from my work, and enjoy the world around me. A zoo trip with my toddler, playing fetch with my dog, or making cookies with my middle son, who loves cooking with mom. Allowing myself to be fully in the moments that bring me the most joy helps re- center me when I’m feeling stuck in my writing.
Such a lovely and inspiring post! I will most definitely find kinder ways to re-center myself as I navigate my writing life. Thank you to all the authors who shared their stories.
I loved this post! Through sharing varied perspectives, it helps us to realize that there is no one “right” way to do it. Different individuals find their centers in different ways…indeed, each of us may follow a different path at different times. Thank you for helping us keep things in perspective!
Thank you for so much for all these re-centering insights. I also appreciated hearing tips from other creatives as well. I look forward to reading your upcoming books! Congratulations!
Yes, thank you all for all of these approaches. Getting away from the computer is often key for me.
What a beautiful post. Re-centering is still something that I’m trying to figure out. it’s so personal, but it is also an issue that many of us have to tackle daily. I hope I will find my own way to do so eventually.
This is timely and oh, so needed. Thank you!
A lovely, supportive post – thank you!
I appreciate all of the ways that you and the others have found to re-center yourself. But I most appreciate your comments on learning to be kind with ourselves. Something I definitely need to work on. Thank you.
Many thanks to you, Angela, and to the contributing authors for so many wonderful suggestions. I was particularly drawn to the idea of writing a letter to our work. It sounds like a great way to rekindle the passion we originally had for it.
This is a timely post for me. I have been struggling with re-centering myself. It was great to hear so many ideas on re-centering. Thank you!
Love the idea of centering myself with tiramisu and a warm drink! Thanks for this reminder to be kind to ourselves as we push for creative excellence.
Thank you for this inspiring and helpful post. Hearing how others deal with re-centering is so valuable.
I have never thought to treat my work like a friend, what brilliant advice. Thanks to you and everyone who contributed to this post- it’s fantastic.
Thank you for the inspiring post and sharing your wonderful thoughts. Much appreciated and needed!
Thanks for this post, Angela. So many great suggestions.
Re-centering and re-focusing are so important, especially in the last few years (for me, at least). Thank you for sharing your tips with us!
Thank you for this inspiring post!! I need to re-center!!
Thank you for this! I’ve been feeling a bit out of control for awhile now, so these thoughts really hit the spot. Thank you!
This is a powerful post and I love that it’s crowd sourced. We truly need our community to help each of us move forward in this time, and a myriad of ways to find our center and go on. Thank you!
Appreciate your post so much and the various ways you come to center. Look forward to reading your books. Thank you.
Re-centering! Yes! And I don’t know about you all, but after the past few years, that might be more like “Centering” because so many of us have forgotten to how we used to even do it–LOL. 🙂 Thank you for this timely reminder that we should treat ourselves as we would a good friend.
Recentering for me can take the form of doing work in my yard or going for a walk with my dogs. It takes me away from the part of my life that is unsettled and to realize it is not about me, but it is about sharing and giving to others that peace that can only come from serving.
Thank you, Angela, not only for your tips on re-centering but also those from Daria, Leah, Nadia and Nyasha. These will help me when I have problems focusing. And thank you for introducing me to all of your books that I will add to my reading list.
Wishing all of you continued success with your writing and publishing.
I’ve found myself needing to recenter lately and for me, nature (in person or even photos, videos, or shows when I can’t get out) and poetry are helping me, along with alone time spent simply imagining possibilities.
What a lovely, inspiring post. It’s easy to feel discouraged and refocusing, recentering can get us back on track. Thank you!
Thank you for this lovely post. I’m re-centering right now with a hot cup of coffee and a beautiful sunrise. Swimming is usually my way of clearing my brain and redirecting my writing.
Thank you for sharing your re-centering tips and those of others, Angela. I could sure use them.
This is a wonderful reminder that we all need to re-center. Thank you for sharing!
Loved this helpful reminder from Nyasha Williams! : “I keep myself available to continually do this work by not giving to others when my cup is full but giving from the overflow. While living in the rough and heavy, I create towards building the world I dream of and believe in.”
Thank you for that truth about making sure the ways we motivate productivity aren’t based on an abusive pattern! I feel like I’m constantly “re-starting” my writing life, but “re-centering” is a much more grounded and compassionate frame.
Thank you for the reminder. As soon as I read the word ‘recenter’ I took a deep breath and relaxed my shoulders and took a moment to calm myself. I could use this reminder every day. 🙂
Thank you so much, Angela, for your reminder to be kind to ourselves when we need to re-center. You’re right, so many of the things we’re told to do, like forcing ourselves to sit in the chair, aren’t things we would force on others. It’s so much gentler to treat our work (and ourselves) like a friend.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your and other creatives’ re-centering tips. I like to re-center by trashing whatever parts of my process are no longer working or don’t bring me joy, and add in some new habits. Changing things up works well for me.
Thanks for the reminder that being kind to the world includes ourselves.
Thank you for sharing. The abusive recentering vs. the kind recentering….that spoke to me.
Thank you for the reminder to be kinder to myself and not push so hard.
It is time to write a letter to my work. Brilliant! Thank you for sharing!
REcentering is elusive this month. I read and re-read the posts to try to find my own center. I was upset for having missed a pitch event and thinking of all the manuscripts I need to focus on and revise, eliminate the excess words and this helped me take deep breaths and settle down and do some revising and rewriting. Thank you.
Angela,
I love Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner. The power of family and their love is a theme in my work. I recenter by chanting and walking in nature.
Sue
Thank you, Angela, for this timely post. I’ve usually been able to center myself, but it’s been tough the last couple of years. You’ve reminded me to be kind to myself.
I enjoyed the post, Angela and will try the letter writing technique (TOP is now playing in the background!)
Love these ideas. And as a transracial adoptive mom, I just ordered Nyasha Williams’ book. Thank you for sharing.
This was a wonderful post. I also find to refocus and to recenter are so important to keep my drive going strong. I loved hearing the ways that work well for you! For me it is often going for a hike in the mountains or gardening:)
Whoa! We hit the Author Jackpot on this one – 5 brillant writers! So much of this resonated. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful suggestions. I may try them all.
Sometimes for me, it’s just butting my butt in the chair and letting the words flow through the keyboard without any thoughts, editing, self-doubt, etc. Always amazes me what comes out. Not that it’s all brilliant, but it’s usually a collection of coherent words. 🙂
Thank you all for sharing. It’s been more challenging and yet more important to re-center during the last couple of years and today. It’s a work in progress for me, and I appreciate you sharing how you do it.
Congratulations on all your wonderful projects! I love what you said about enjoying your writing. So inspiring!
I loved Angela’s recentering story and that she gave space for others to share. The reminder to be kind to myself is timely. I love writing checklists. As a writer and mom of a special needs child, I really need to make sure recentering is part of that list every day. One of my son’s favorite things to do is drive…for a couple of hours a day. There is no music, just him guiding me to go left, right, or straight to take in his favorite landmarks . I have come to terms with this being a regular part of
my day and have started doing a lot of recentering on these drives, using the time to rethink plot and character away from the dreaded blank screen (when I am not joking around with my navigator.)
Such inspiring advice to re-center! Thank you, everyone and especially Angela! So excited to read your upcoming book!
Thanks for the inspiring post. Loved the sentence,” I’ve learned how to treat my work like a friend, and the breakthroughs have been incredible.” And this is just one of the several points I liked and shall try to imbibe.
MalvikaDekhane
Angela, Thank you for your thoughtful insights. I love morning hikes and walks in the desert to uplift me and stimulate ideas and stories. I look forward to “Show the World!”
Thank you for the reminder to be kind to ourselves! I love reading how other writers re-focus too. It’s comforting to know that even though writing is solitary, we really aren’t alone! Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner looks like a wonderful story. I hope to read it soon!
How to re-center is an essential post in today’s hectic world. Thanks to all who shared their process.
This was a lovely and inspiring post. So often I have used “re-centering” to prod and push myself to get more work done. But from reading this post, I think it is also about being kind to oneself and cheering that self on without judgement for the times we just plain get stuck. Thank you.
Hello Angela,
The re-centering button, You had it all this time… I’ve been looking for that button for many years now. Re- Centering I am definitely going to have to use that in my writing. I too have used the sit-in chair and type method and if you don’t well then no cake for you… I will tell you this method never wins, I always get the cake anyway.
Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to see your book- TO BOLDLY GO – Because I love Star Trek and Nichelle Nichols is a very kind lady. I meet her when she came to the Star Trek convention in Colorado.
I feel revitalized and ready to be more kind to myself and seek inspiration! Thank you for the peace-filled pep talk, we all needed it!
Thank you, Angela, and everyone who contributed to this post! Wonderful tips and advice on re-centering. Very needed right now.
I think the best way for me to re-center is to walk away for a bit. When I try to plow through a draft and its not working, it never goes anywhere and I end up becoming frustrated. Best to take a break and work on something else for a while! Thanks for this great post!
Thanks for sharing the ways you and your friends recenter themselves. It’s nice to see how ell that can work!
Thank you so much for sharing, Angela! I didn’t think of it as re-centering before, but if I’m stuck with writing, I too often write down what I’m thinking about my writing and why or where I’m stuck and I try to puzzle it out that way. I do think I need to add more kinds words and positivity to that process though, so I’ll definitely try that next time 😀
What a beautiful and important post! For me, life can creep into my writing space. The business side of raising a child with special healthcare needs along with advocacy can consume my thoughts and my time. To reconnect to my own creativity and recenter, I find time in nature and time with other creatives help me. An artist date at the art museum or a walk through the botanic garden work small miracles.
I appreciate your ideas and strategies for calming and re-centering. It is so important in our modern days! Thank you for the helpful ideas and best wishes!
Wow, there are such a range of great responses here! A lot of this is important self-care for everyone, not just writers. Thanks for sharing, everyone.
I had no idea I even NEEDED to re-center myself! I can see how making a concerted effort to do so could make a huge difference. Thank you so much for this inspirational post and congratulations on your publishing success – your books sound wonderful!
Thank you so much for this lovely post! I appreciate all these suggestions for recentering with kindness and self-care. <3
Thanks for this post. Re-centering has not always been a part of my life. But since I started the practice(meditation and structure) I have found more meaning in my life. My writing has improved. I thank you for asking others their process.
Thank you, Angela, for your inspiring post on re-centering. Hearing strategies from you and the other authors is so helpful in feeling like we’re not alone out here.
I love that you pointed out the re-center button on GPS. I’m going to think about re-centering myself every single time I see it now!
Thank you for your honesty, and sharing your experiences, as well as other author perspectives! I feel inspired to try re-centering, and being kind to myself along the way. I look forward to reading your books!
Thanks for the re-centering tips!
You’re an inspiration! ‘Show The World’ looks awesome! Congratulations!
Thanks for sharing so many ideas about re-centering.
Congratulations on your success and figuring out some tactics that work for you! I relate to the notion of being kind to myself.
Thank you for this lovely post. Your perspective (and the perspective of others) helped. 🙂
Thanks for this helpful post. Even going for a walk helps to re-center when juices are not flowing. Thanks to all who shared their methods.
Recenter -this was the post I needed to today.
Congratulations on Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner!
Inciteful “centering” suggestions from everyone!
My dog, Mabel, centers me. She is known as the “Slow Dog,” in the neighborhood. Walking her, helps me reflect on my life, the lives of others and the lives of characters I create on the computer/paper.
“re-center” – what great insights! I found the month mark March read-read-reading picture books to be very centering. And of course every encouragement for the Kid Lit universe!
Sage advice! Thank you. I especially appreciate the idea of treating our writing as a friend. I do enjoy yoga/meditation to bring centering to my life. Congratulations on the upcoming release of your next book.
This is such an inspiring post. Thank you so much for sharing. Congratulations on your success!
Thank you for talking about trying to get back into writing. I have struggled to recenter my life lately and sometimes I also we’re just force myself to sit and it’s just wasn’t as fun as if the ideas would come to my head. So thank you for all these great suggestions.
I love the concept of recentering and the variety of responses. I could relate to something in each of the responses and plan to try them out when need be. Thanks so much for a much needed post.
Wow! Thank you, Angela for seeing that we have trouble focusing and giving us not one, not two but four (plus you! ) plans for refocusing. Using kindness and understanding to hone in on the issues. Thank you.
Thank you for writing this. I also have had trouble centering myself, and finding time to focus on writing and revisions has been a bit rough the past month. But I know this is also a time to rest, think before acting. Great tips!
Thanks Angela for this post and for sharing re-centering ideas from other authors. It’s always so important here in the Vermont in March when mud season hits and it can be rather gloomy. At least we have the smell of maple sugar boiling wafting in the brisk winds. Spring will come for sure….
Thanks for the important reminder
This post came at the most perfect time. It’s my re-centering time!
I love the idea of writing a letter to your work!
Thank you for such a supportive and inspiring post! 🙂
All the books sound great , but I really want to read the Nichelle Nichlols/Star Trek book :0) Congrats on all your successes and your upcoming books!
Angela, thank you for sharing your process. This was a much needed lift.
This is such useful advice. Thank you for sharing.
Love this post. Definitely hitting the re-center button. Thank you for the inspiration!
WOW! This post had a wealth of knowledge and so many amazing suggestions for how to re-center. I look forward to trying some myself. Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely LOVE the idea of writing a letter to your work. What a great way to re-center and identify the obstacles that might be preventing you from moving forward in work, etc. Thank you so much for sharing : )
This is a wonderful post, thank you! We all need re-centering from time to time. I’ll keep these many helpful suggestions in mind next time I need to re-center.
I love the idea of writing a letter to your work!
Thank you! Nice to read about similar struggles and inspiring solutions. x
I want to thank everyone for their centering advice! Wonderful post!
Thanks for sharing. So inspiring!
Angela- I needed to hear your words of wisdom just now, and the words of your friends. Thank you so much for sharing!
Sam
Angela, Thank you for the reminder to be kind to ourselves and for sharing ways to re-center. This was a fantastic post!
What a beautiful, much-needed post! Thank you so much, Angela, and friends, for sharing these gentle and effective ways to get re-centered (a new favorite word!), motivated, and cared-for as we go about on this journey together. Whenever I sit in my cozy chair, I will think of you and this wisdom you shared. Thank you!!
Angela, thanks so much for this post. I needed it!
I now have the perfect word for what I’ve been doing many times over the past couple of years and especially in the past few months – re-centering! Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
I love all of these ideas! Saving this blog post for the next time I need ideas for how to recenter myself.
I’ve also relied on pomodoros to get me through a day of tasks and through to a deadline. Sometimes it’s a simple productivity tool. Other times it’s the only thing between my work and a huge lack of motivation. When this happens, I know it’s time to take a break. Thank you Angela for reminding us that we aren’t the only ones feeling this way sometimes!
Starting the day with prayer and meditation! Yes! Thank you for sharing your process and congrats on your books!
When the universe guides you to read a particular post, you listen and read it! Re-centering is the exact word I needed to hear today. Spring is the time of year I love and dread. My job as a curriculum coordinator ramps up with all the end-of-the-year to-dos. My three daughters keep my busy with end-of-the-semester college needs and end-of-middle-school celebrations. My husband lures me into more and more outside pursuits. I find my mind going a hundred different directions, and my writing momentum wans. Re-centering and giving myself grace are the reminders I needed today. Thank you so much for you post, Angela!
Fabulous post!! I enjoyed reading everyone’s different ways of re-centering oneself!! Inspiring!! Thanks for this, Angela and congrats on your new book coming out in April!
I loved this! Such a great reminder. And I loved the letter to your work idea 🙂
Love this playtime with the concept of “recenter.” Sometimes you veer a little left or get bounced a little right, but as Jimmy Buffett says, “you got to keep it between the navigational beacons.”
Thank you for this reminder to re-center when life gets crazy, as it always does and will! 🙂
Wat a great post! Thanks so much!
Thank you so much, Angela, for sharing this. It’s lovely to know we all get thrown off track some days and that we’re not alone in that struggle to re-focus, re-center, and find motivation again. I loved your idea of writing a love letter to your work. I’m definitely going to try this! I’ve certainly found myself trying the other less kind ways of motivating my work – withholding something fun until I get the work done or forcing myself to write so many words before I let myself take a break. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and those of other writers on re-centering. So motivating and beautiful!
Love all of these! Recentering for me usually is a walk. But I have a foot injury and can’t walk for a month (more writing time???), so I’ll have to try out some of these suggestions. Thank you!
What a great idea to invite author friends to share how they re-center as well. It’s proof that is something we all need to do once in awhile. (And super generous of all of them to share with us.) Thanks for this, Angela.
I loved Angela’s idea about writing a letter to her work and asking questions. Very helpful.
The entire post made me think about how I re-center.
I’m still working on the answer. 🙂
This is what I needed – right now! It was great to get ideas from so many wonderful authors. Thank you, Angela!
What a great post with some awesome authors! I love the re-centering idea and will meditate on it today as I write.
Thank you for this timely and supportive post!
Congratulations on all your projects!
I love your ideas for “kinder ways to re-center. Can’t wait to try them!
Very nice post with tips from various authors – thanks for getting all of them for us here! 🙂
Your post is so sweet, and really insightful, especially in treating your work like your friend! Thank you for this!
Thank you Angela for your kind and thoughtful post and for asking other authors how they re-center. Your comments apply to the whole of life, not just writing, and for all age groups from school age children (using different language obviously) to older adults. You are inspiring. I look forward to reading your books.
Great post, just what I needed to hear!
Thank you for your focus on kind recentering! I love the idea of writing a letter to your work, as well as the exhortations to find comfort, beauty, calm, deliciousness, and more!
Angela, this is such a beautiful affirmation. Recentering ourselves by writing to our characters, our scenes, our emotions, and our intended messages. Thank you!
I love the idea of writing a letter to your work. Thank you for sharing. I’m looking forward to reading your book.
Thanks for sharing all these ideas for recentering. Such a lovely idea to feature other authors in this way, and to introduce us to all of their (and your) wonderful books.
Thank you so much for your post on re-centering. It’s so validating. I think feeling off-center and allowing it to linger is one that contributes to a writer feeling alone or an imposter. You remind me that this is just part of the writer’s journey, and it’s not impossible to get back on track. Thank you for the tips on being kind to yourself and getting re-focused. Most appreciated.
Congratulations Angela on your success! These are helpful suggestions to re-center when things get out of control. I will try to apply some of them because I find lately that I’m getting off course too often.
Thanks, Angela, for a great post and reminder about what we all need so often in this crazy, busy world. Thanks for your insight (loved the writing a letter to your work) and finding others to share theirs.
Great thoughts! I’m finding I need to recenter quite often these days. The school year is long, I have way less time to write and I’m focusing on creating art for it instead and that is a slow slog so it’s hard to see the same progress as when I can type away. Thanks for the tools!
Hi! Thanks for the great post!
Two great take-aways for me: Recentering myself in a kinder way; writing a love letter to my work.
What a wonderful idea!
Thank you,
Valerie
What a beautiful and inspiring post! Thank you for sharing this!
Angela,
Thank you for this beautiful post full of ideas and inspiration to help us re-centre and treat ourselves with compassion and care.
I’m so grateful for the timeliness of this blog post. I, too, could use some re-centering. Thank you for enlisting a few other authors, so we could have so many ideas to draw from. I think I might start with writing a letter to my story. A nice, hot cuppa somethin’ couldn’t hurt either. =) Much appreciated!
Great post, Angela!! Thank you for your ideas along with those of the contributing authors on re-centering. It’s so easy to get thrown off track in one’s daily life and become discouraged with ones writing.
When that happens to me I find working in the garden helps, there is something about having my hands in the dirt that helps me work out problems that I maybe having with a manuscript. Just zoning out sitting in the sunshine, closing my eyes and opening up my ears to the sounds around me, helps to get my batteries recharged.
Wow! These ideas are great, Angela! Thank you for sharing the many ways to get back on track. I do not feel as lost now that I see some creatives are on the same path.
Thanks for an inspiring post.
Angela,
Thanks for providing this wonderful look at how a variety of writers approach an issue we all struggle with!
This is very inspiring! I love the idea of writing a letter to your work. This reminds me about the importance of little rituals in our daily life. I think I’m implementing this in my life.
Thanks for sharing!
I love the idea of writing a love letter to the work. Thank you. I will try that.
Re-centering is ever an issue for me…I have an eight-year-old and a husband with health issues, so it’s pretty much just me who keeps the trains running on time, which often doesn’t leave a lot left in the tank for me (sorry for mixing metaphors). I’m also an introvert who needs alone time to refuel, so that’s hard for me to get. When I’m feeling rejuvenated is when I do my best writing, but that feeling is hard to come by. Thanks for the inspiration!
I am so glad I read this! I actually think I was just doing my version of recentering. Cup of tea in my hand, rocking in my rocking chair, and daydreaming of getting published. Always makes me smile and feel better.
Wow- after a blow-out March that included three family birthdays including a milestone party with 70 people in my small house, on top of an injured volleyball-playing teenager who had to sit out games most of the month, my centering was non-existent. I felt like I had never written a thing, never even been a writer. I am inspired by your words and how I’m not alone when life gets in the way of writing. Thanks! It helps!
Time for a little spring cleaning and recentering. Thank you for these inspiring suggestions to set me on my way.
What wonderful advice!
Oh my gosh! Tea and write a letter to your work! I ABSOLUTLY LOVE this. Thank you for your post!
Recentering is so important. Unfortunately, I often forget to do this in the bustle of my day to day. Thanks for the reminder!
Great ideas!
Thank you Angela for reaching out to other authors and for all of you sharing your tools to re-center. It seems ever more important to know how to harness this practice today. Focusing on what you can control and remembering what inspires you to write each story particularly resonated with me. Thank you for the help, Angela
Thank you Angela and all for sharing! Having tools to re-center in these particularly challenging times is extremely helpful! Thanks again, Angela
Thank you for this advice – and I love that you included other authors in your spotlight – a wonderful way to recenter – in connection with others. Thank you.
Thank you Angela- reading this affirmed something I came across today about the law of attraction and leaving myself open to learning and new pathways. I started to realize I chase my goals (and yea I can also be rather harsh on myself) rather than allowing the process to unfold.
Very inspiring post.
Love the idea of writing a letter to your work! A very tangible piece of advice for the otherwise squishy task of re-centering oneself. Thank you for sharing!
So many great authors and so much great advice. Thank you re-centering and being in the moment is key.
Thank you for the reminder to re-center! What a great post for me to read right now! Congrats on your picture books and continued good wishes for your writing journey.
Thank you for the reminder to re-center when our writing lives or life in general is overwhelming, and thank you for sharing the meaningful strategies of other talented authors. I will come back to this article the next time I need a reset. I look forward to reading RUBY’S REUNION DAY DINNER and congratulations on SHOW THE WORLD!
Thank you for sharing about your process.
With four kids, a busy job, a new puppy, and ecclesiastical responsibilities, I often rush through my days and even my writing – everything being a checklist to complete. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to find joy and peace in the writing (as well as everything else). I loved hearing how fellow writers recenter. Good luck with your new book release! It looks lovely.
Thank you Angela– Boy, going off track and needing to re-center feels like the theme of my days lately (sadly, it’s nice to know I am not alone). Such wonderful suggestions to bring things back around, not by “punishment”, but with enticement. Kindness always wins.
As I read this I wondered, am I doing something wrong? Why don’t I feel the need to re-center? Here’s the thing. I trust my brain. If it’s not coming at that particular moment, I walk away, do something else – take a shower, a walk, a nap, cook a meal. I know that when I’m not knowingly thinking about it, forcing myself to think about it, it’s still being thought about in another part of my brain. I call it the back burner. I have faith that the next time, or the next next time I think about it, the answer will be there. And this is generally true. Thank you for your post with other thoughts on how to center.
I look at it this way: I trust my brain. If it’s not coming at that particular moment, I walk away, do something else – take a shower, a walk, a nap, cook a meal. I know that when I’m not knowingly thinking about it, forcing myself to think about it, it’s still being thought about in another part of my brain. I call it the back burner. I have faith that the next time, or the next next time I think about it, the answer will be there. And this is generally true. Thank you for your post with other lovely thoughts on how to center.
I really needed to read about recentering today. Today and the entire month of March may hot have gone as I intended and I was ready to throw in the towel.
I love the thinking that we are re-centering and doing so in a kinder way. We writers can be so hard on ourselves! Thank you for this post!
Angela, I agree it is important to periodically take the time to celebrate your accomplishments as well as to take the time to evaluate your work with kindness (in a letter or journal).
Finding a peaceful place to write (often in nature experiencing God’s creation with a spirit of thanksgiving ) helps me to be inspired.
Thank you for sharing the interviews with other writers.
I can’t believe I missed this little slice of inspiration last month! I’m so glad the check-in prompted me to revisit it. Thank you for convening your circle of author friends on our behalf, Angela. I will certainly take these ideas to heart.
Thank you for this important insight, Angela. I’ve felt a “need to do everything” lately and appreciate your re-centering ideas as well as the reminder to be kind to ourselves! Great post!
When Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner was discussed at SCBWI’s Midsouth Conference, I was captivated. Such a sweet story, with a sweet ending.
Ms.Dalton’s advice about centering and quelling anxiety is appreciated by this nail-biting writer!
Thank you for this post. April has barely started and I already feel off the rails. I am working on two deadlines and a full-time job and it seems like more gets added to my plate before I can finish what was there. Your post was a deep breath—a reminder to focus on one thing at a time and do it wholly.
Thanks for sharing! Such an important reminder to re-center and be kinder to ourselves. Looking forward to reading your books!
Great post. Recentering sounds so much kinder than the “recalculating”of my old GPS. For me, recentering can come when I recognize that a conversation I’m having with a friend relates to something my MC is dealing with. Makes me think about the common humanity in what I’m trying to convey.
I love the kindness with which you approach yourself and your relationship to writing. So needed!
I always love reading about other authors that have finally made their dreams a reality. These posts give me hope for my future as a writer. Congratulations! Can’t wait to read these beautiful stories!
Funny how things work out sometimes- this post on recentering came at a time when I really need it. Thank you all for sharing your wisdom on this.
I love the idea of writing a love letter to your WIP! What a great idea. I feel like that will be extremely helpful moving forward. Thanks!
This lovely message truly resonates with the process that has evolved for me in large part due to the isolation of the last couple years. I too start the day writing a letter, in my case to my higher power. Sometimes it touches on my writing, sometimes not. In every case it is focused on bringing my attention and my intention into alignment. I love that you call it re-center. That’s exactly what it is! Thank you so much.
Thumbs up. I really enjoyed the pictures.
So many great ideas shared here on recentering. My big takeaway is the reminder about our community though. The kidlit community is such a supportive one. I am grateful to be here among you.
PS–adding SHOW THE WORLD to my reading list!!