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It works for the body. To stay trim and fit, you can't become a couch potato. Likewise, to develop stronger, more flexible writing muscles, you sometimes have to leave your comfort zone.
Edward Albee's said that he never wants to repeat himself. He views each play as though it were his first. Judging from his body of work, he's written remarkably varied plays; some more successful than others. Would that we were all so self-challenging.
Recently, I decided it was high time to leave my own writing comfort zone. I've written a spate of plays and screenplays based on historical characters and events. Although I have ideas for others, it's more important to growth as a writer to tackle something in a different vein. So I'm beginning a play set in the present featuring totally fictional characters and a touch of autobiographical material. Getting started has been daunting, probably because I can't fall back on a tried and true methodology.
So here's my challenge: challenge yourself. Writing only horror flicks? Go to a different genre.
Have an idea that involves more research than you've ever done before? Hit the library. Seek out the experts and interview them. Correspond with them. Try living the life of your characters (within reason and the law).
Always writing stories that feature a male protagonist? Try writing something where the leading character's a lady.
In short, don't become a couch potato in your writing life.
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