Guest Post: Why Writers Need to Emerge From the Cocoon

By Thomas Warren

As a stay-at-home writer, your office is like a cocoon. It houses all the comforts that you wrap yourself in to escape to the world inside your head. You no doubt have a comfy, well-worn chair, an assortment of places to rest your coffee or tea, an eclectic mix of your favorite reads practically tumbling off every surface, and of course, your writing implements of choice (from legal pads to laptops). This all sounds very cozy, so why would you ever want to leave?

1.Isolation. Like a cocoon, the womb, or any other type of encapsulation, your office is, by nature, an isolation chamber. This means it effectively cuts you off from the outside world. This can be both a boon and a detriment. While it’s not a bad idea to shut off your cell phone while you write (focus is an absolute necessity when you’re on a roll), you can’t deprive yourself of contact with the outside world indefinitely and expect to continue producing worthwhile content.

2. Feedback. You need constructive criticism (“It’s good” doesn’t really cut the mustard) and a sounding board for new ideas, and the best way to get them is through face-to-face contact. You may counter that this can be done over email, but the problem with a digital interface is that it’s difficult to gauge a respondent’s emotional tone from their text (often leading to misunderstandings) and you simply can’t express yourself as fast or as well through email as you can in person.

3. Inspiration. Variety keeps your writing fresh. Yes, you can partake of a million forms of media from the comfort of your own home, from television to iTunes to Funny or Die, but none will stimulate your brain like connecting with another person. We are, after all, social animals who thrive on the company of others. And studies show that getting out and enjoying a natural setting for awhile can actually boost your brainpower (just look at Claude Monet or Henry David Thoreau). In any case, your mind, in order to stay agile and perform at its peak, must be exercised in a number of different ways on a regular basis, and getting out, seeing people, is a great way to do it.

You may be tempted to remain enshrined in your comfortable cocoon, but this is a sure way to stagnate. Even butterflies must emerge at some point in order to complete their metamorphosis and continue their lives. Writers are no different. Joining a writing group, taking a class at the gym, or even considering guitar lessons or a course in photography can offer you an opportunity to clear your head for awhile and improve your disposition – and your writing. Your journey doesn’t stop at the front door; it reaches out into the world for companionship, experience, and inspiration. When you hit a brick wall, as you inevitably will, these things will be your wrecking ball. Without the proper tools, you simply cannot get the job done.

Thomas Warren is a content writer for Online Colleges who gives advice on the pursuit of higher education and living a healthy life. In his free time he enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with his family and friends.

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Flickr photo courtesy of urtica