Simmering and Swooping

The Concept of Simmering and Swooping in Creative Writing

Writer’s creativity sometimes were blocked and ideas are not coming. Wall between writer and words becomes higher and thicker. This crisis experienced by writers is called the “writer’s block”. That is why some authors as well as writers think that they need time to let their ideas simmer before proceeding into writing. This concept is likely to help a writer organize his/her ideas before having a writing session.

The concept of “simmering” in writing means that creativity needs time in order for the ideas to come up and blend together. Writing stories that persuades, inform and comforts the readers are similar to cooking. Time is needed as the ingredients were put and blended together. Time to walk away from the computer and keyboard or paper and pen and letting the information simmer together while doing chores like folding the laundry or pulling out grasses in the garden. This somehow helps the writer to come up with unusual spin of information. Every oven cooks a little differently just as every writer functions a little differently as well (Rhodes, 2015). When writing or revising it’s like a well, you’re being drained, you’re out of words. Writers often need a break, a time in between drafts (Meyer, 2014).

Swooping on the other hand, involves work habit unlike simmering which takes the writer away from his/her work (O’Connor, 2001). Having a writing habit will teach the writer that writer’s block is just a figment of one’s imagination. In writing, a writer should have a devoted practice and should build habits that will make him/her a better writer. Having a comfortable table and chair as well as having privacy is more important than having a beautiful view. Keep materials close at hand and taping favorite quotes that will serve as motivation will do before proceeding with writing. When writing, it’s not about sitting with your keyboard or with pen and paper. It can be creating a list of bullet points. Being physically active is also helpful, move around frequently or set an alarm or timer reminding yourself to get up from the table. Moving around can produce fresh ideas.

Allowing the concept of simmering and swooping will help a writer get through with a writer’s block.