This month we’re talking about what we do to unwind in our Round Robin! Which is really a fun question to answer because I do all sorts of things to refresh my creative mind.
At the risk of sounding like a nerd … Well, I am a nerd, so I guess there’s no hiding it … I totally play Star Trek Online. This game is immensely helpful when I need to get into the science fiction groove without actually writing. (Though the writer in me has to question some of the things they make us do there. Such as the control panel for a shield device sitting right next to the shield you want to take down. I mean … smart money is on putting the control panel on the inside of the shielded area so the enemy can’t get in.)
I tried playing Star Wars Republic but it just didn’t have the same feel to it, you know?
When I’m in the middle of a fantasy novel and I need to unwind, I’ll play Dungeon Siege or Arcanum, depending on the level of my frustration.
Oh! And I have a ton of Dungeons & Dragon’s manuals that I’ll flip through for ideas. The pictures alone set my creative mind to buzzing. (I know, my nerd-factor just rose by about ten notches, didn’t it?)
I go to the gym every other day — when my car is working — or enjoy time with my son at the park, but I don’t really consider those “unwind” moments. Jogging is for my health and time with my son is for my soul.
Still, I have noticed that my writing is clearer and my creative muse more willing to get to business when I’ve kept my exercise schedule and had time with my son.
And, of course, there is the ever-ready movie to watch or book to read. But I tend to view movies and books as investments since I’m always learning new and better ways to tell a story through them.
That’s it! Those are the things I like to do when I need to step back and relax. Thank you for joining me and I’d like to encourage you to take a look at what author Ginger Simpson does to unwind as the Round Robin continues. Here’s her link! http://mizging.blogspot.com/
AJMaguire 
I agree that is often hard to get ‘lost’ in a book, and I agree about the exercise, but wow — I’d never thought of the gaming world.
Yeah … I embrace my inner geek … or my all-around geek, as it were.
I absolutely love using the Dungeons and Dragons play books. They are awesome and can prompt such great ideas.
Lynn
I know, right? All those awesome pictures! Particularly the older versions. I can’t tell you how many ideas I’ve had just flipping through one of those.
Of course, DeviantArt has some great artists these days, too.
I’m usually in a Candy Crush Coma, but I’m about to give it up because I’ve reached a level I just can’t beat and I refuse to pay money for “cheats.” I always feel guilty for wasting too much time playing games, but when my characters aren’t talking to me, I have to do something to keep my mind stimulated.
Yeah, that’s the danger of games. You can get so involved that you forget to turn it off. I normally limit myself to one mission at a time. As soon as that mission is over I power it off and get back to work.