According to a recent study by the Author's Guild, nearly 68% of writers report that switching between projects helps them overcome creative blocks and actually increases their overall productivity.

After several months of staring at my computer monitor, tapping keys back and forth on my keyboard, a miracle happened – I finished my second book. This while simultaneously working on a Nordic Noir mystery that has consumed my creative energy for the past two years.

Picture this: You're deep in the world of Scandinavian gloom, murder investigations, and psychological trauma day after day. Your brain starts functioning in that same shadowy space. Your thoughts become as gray as the fictional skies you're creating. Even your coffee tastes darker somehow.

That's when I decided to pivot temporarily – to create something completely different as a creative palate cleanser. The result? "Love Notes and Sticky Tape," which represents a radical departure from my first book, "Lint, Socks and Rock Paper Scissors."

My first book was an absurd look at ridiculous sports like "Competitive Eyebrow Dancing" and faux scientific studies like "The Language of Ceiling Fans." It's a great read when you need a laugh. This new project, however, flows from an entirely different creative wellspring.

The mental whiplash between writing a dark Nordic mystery and something lighter wasn't just refreshing – it was necessary. Creative minds need variety. They need to stretch in different directions, explore new territories, and occasionally escape the worlds they've been building. It's normal for me to have four writing projects in motion at once: an idea for a new book, an initial draft of another, a first full draft approaching completion, and a manuscript out with an editor and beta readers.

For writers facing similar creative conundrums, this approach might be worth considering. When one project becomes too consuming or begins to feel like quicksand, stepping sideways into something completely different can reignite that creative spark. The key isn't abandoning your primary work – it's giving your creative mind the variety it craves.

Have you ever tried switching creative gears when feeling stuck? I'd love to hear about your experiences with creative pivots and how they've affected your work. Drop me a line at barry@mysteriesink.com and let's continue this conversation.