Foggy Brain is sometimes called hitting the wall. And that can happen. Whether it stops you completely or just makes it hard to think about your story. Maybe all you need is a nap. In today’s blog I want to explore Foggy Brain.
What is Foggy Brain?
I don’t know if that is a real thing medically speaking since it is a term I invented. It is my description of when the brain cannot focus on anything. It feels like you are in a fog.
Is There a Cure for Foggy Brain?
Yes. One particularly effective cure is rest. Whenever my mind gets foggy, I try rest. It usually works. But not always.
Another cure is to think about something else. Depending on what I think about the fog can be lifted. I have the ability to think about multiple books at the same time. Now, that is a little misleading. What I really do is set one story aside and work on another. Then, if I want, I can set that story aside and work on still another.
Sometimes I have three and maybe four books going. What I have discovered is that multitasking like that actually refreshes the brain.
Will It Work for Me?
It should. But we all think and act differently. Still, it is something worth experimenting with doing. One downside is that if you have several manuscripts you are working on, it will slow you down as far as how long it takes to complete. On the other hand, it might result in multiple books being published within a year.
Can You Avoid Foggy Brain?
Technically, I would answer yes. Because if you are multitasking plus getting adequate rest, your brain is regularly being refreshed. However, I don’t know of anyone who perfectly does that. For example, you might get caught up in a story and your entire focus becomes attached to that single story resulting in loss of sleep, and your mind becoming stressed. You have gotten off the wagon and now you are a candidate for Foggy Brain.
Here is a Plan to Minimize It
The plan is simple:
Try to multitask. This can include several manuscripts, or simply several different tasks. Like I said, having several manuscripts to work on works for me. Currently, I have the novel Daniel in the works, plus Moses Exile. I also am working on my first sci-fi called EVE. If that is not enough, I am also working on a client’s book.
Foggy Brain is Not Fun
It can bring your writing to a complete stop. If you stay in that condition very long it can handicap your writing. So, when you get into that situation, it is best to take action immediately.
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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com). He is also on Facebook.
This is very good advice