Healthy food for an author's brain

Writing is challenging, and authors often need to buttress our motivation and creative time. A few weeks ago I wrote about books and readings to help make the inner shift from "writer" to Author. But authors are just as susceptible to the ebb and flow of motivation, and the fickle nature of creativity in the first place. This week I want to look at what kind of readings can be healthy food for an author's brain.

1. Fear of Dreaming: I'm actually on my second copy of this book. It's poetry from Jim Carroll. I've read the poems in this book hundreds of times, and I love to turn to it when my mind feels stagnant or bored. I don't advocate that you buy the same book, but that you find the book of poetry that speaks to you and makes your brain buzz. Then turn to it when you need a push.

2. Read The Power of Full Engagement: A client gave a book by author Jim Loehr to me. I liked it, so I found another called The Power of Full Engagement. Loehr is a "productivity psychologist" who works with people who work in high stress environments (firefighters, SWAT teams, etc.) to stay focused and get the most out of their time. It's

3. Pop Science: Pop Science, whether you like it or not, is a great thought instigator. Pop science books push the bounds, taking knowledge we have and applying it to day to day life with a fresh lens. I'll look at books like I is an Other, The Tipping Point, and Black Swan.

4. Watch comedy: Comedy is often about the same strange quirks of being alive as drama is, just with a differnt take and less narrative. When you want to get a fresh wave of perspective, watch an intelligent comedian making fun of things. I recommend George Carlin or Mitch Hedberg, for example.

5. Brain Pickings: Probably the best blog on the Internet, and it turns out that what they publish is ideal food for an author's brain.

Image source: avlxyz via flickr