Like most people in the Mid-Atlantic, I found that more than two feet of snow blanketed my house and cars yesterday.  The Mayor and Governor declared emergencies for the city and state respectively; all cars were ordered to remain off the road.  By last night, the storm had passed.

The following morning, I took the dogs outside and was struck by the silence.  No cars passing by.  No flights that would normally land in or fly out of BWI airport, only the crunch beneath my dogs’ paws.  It a moment like this that as a writer one appreciates the sound of silence.

First, being in a relatively quiet environment helps us to hear the sounds that might normally be drowned out by the cacophony of everyday life – to observe.  Second, this silence helps us to organize our thoughts – think.  Third, the shutdown of the roads and businesses gives us the time to do our business – write.

Observe.  Think.  Write.  We don’t always have time to do all three, but take advantage of days like this.  So take some time for yourself early in the morning or late at night and let your best writing happen during the stillness.

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Claude Berube is the President of American Independent Writers and teaches at the U.S. Naval Academy. The co-author of two books, he’s published over thirty articles in academic journals, popular magazines, and newspapers.