7 Writing-Related Ways to Entertain Yourself During a Power Outage

Hello! I'm coming to you today from the California power shutdown, on account of all the wind there isn't. Bear with me, because I'm writing this on my phone, so it may be oddly formatted or have more typos than usual.

Today I thought I'd take advantage of this frustrating power outage and bring you a few ways to stay entertained, productive, and inspired, even when there's no light and you're waving your cell around like a madman trying to get enough data to load a tweet. And since the power could be out for as long as 6 more days, I'll have plenty of time to test all of these!

1. Read

This should be the obvious solution. Even if your Kindle is dead, you probably have a stack of physical books laying around somewhere, gathering that TBR dust. Crack one open! Light a candle, or don a headlamp, and immerse yourself in a Fantasy world where they have electricity. Or never had it. Or had it, but it's gone forever, but in a much more interesting way.

Reading is a vital part of the writing process, but sometimes we all get busy and forget how important it is. So take advantage of the solar-operated entertainment currently decorating your bookshelves!

2. Draw

Yes, we are word people, and that doesn't always translate so well to being visual artists, but that doesn't reduce the relaxation potential of doodling. Drawing uses a different part of the creative brain than writing, which can help your process. That's why I'm currently participating in Inktober, over on my Instagram. You might try sketching characters,  drawing maps, or just doodling while thinking about your plot. You never know what new ideas might surface when you stretch your creativity!

3. Embrace the gloom

Power outages cause darkness, shadows, and a general sense of unease (if you're me). So why not lean into that? Light a couple of candles (please light all candles responsibly( and sit broodily in your attic (please brood responsibly, too). Gather all yoir most dramatic writing accoutrements-- your fanciest pen, your skull incense burner, your leather-bound notebook-- and get into the mindset of a classic Horror writer.

4. Journal

Every writer I know of has a cache of pens and notebooks. We hoard them, because We Might Need Them. Well, my fellow writerkin, the time has come. Break out those lined journals and start writing.

You might need to warm up a bit first, because hand cramps suck.

You can journal, freewrite, or work on your WIP, but just using that writer brain will keep you in the habit and be good practice in the art of adaptability.

5. Challenge Your Family

Assuming you live with other people, who also happen to be literate, challenge the people around you to respond to a writing prompt. Provide them with pens and paper from that aforementioned hoard, and then set a time in which everyone must finish s story. Spooky stories are always fun for this, but if you're already feeling a bit stressed out, maybe stick to comedies.

6. Be the Audiobook

Take turns reading to one another. Have fun with it-- do voices, be your most dramatic and enunciated, add sound effects. In addition to all the benefits  of plain ol' reading,  reading out loud can  teach you volumes about rhythm, sentence structure, and flow.

7. Go Outside

Yes, I know, you're hissing with disgust and fear at the very suggestion. And if your power is off due to REAL extreme weather, obviously I don't advise this. However, if your power has been turn off due to a "weather emergency" comprised of 25% humidity, 7mph winds, and a daytime high of 70, grab that picnic blanket and those hiking boots.