Getting the creative juices flowing

I tried a new trick. I have a friend who likes to read. So, I get up every morning and write a short short and send to my friend. They are always a rough draft. I don't worry about polish as it is strictly a writing exercise. But, it "warms me up" so that my creative juices and my muse are ready to dive into finishing the first draft of my second novel. Try this...it may help prevent writers' block or pull you out of it if you have writers' block.