Articles in the Inspiration and Creativity Category

Writing is like weaving
– from the beginning
to the end!

Our words glide across the page and then we hit enter and move down. We scroll back up and take note of what we’ve written; we scroll back down and finish our thoughts. We move all across the page: up, down, back and forth – all the while we are weaving a story. The pieces, colors, and vibrant picture are moving vividly through our mind, body, and soul.

As we gaze intensely at the computer screen – or our notebook – we are filling the blank page with words, ideas, wisdom, information; we are filling the blank page with our heart and soul.

Some of you weave with dark yarns (aka words), smearing mystical creatures, blood-spilled mysteries, and murderous intent on to the blank page. Others splash colorful hues of passion-filled romance, wild and dangerous affairs, and tug at the hearts of those craving love (or lust!) – leaving them satisfied, yet yearning for more. And there are those of us who choose to share inspiration, motivation, encouragement, and non-fiction information that will leave the reader a little wiser – and more optimistic- than they came.

We writers purge not only our creative minds with our readers, but our hearts as well. We ultimately give the world a piece of ourselves in every page, every word, every article, story, or book. With every word we type (or write), we are weaving…

Weaving When Words Won’t Wake

1. Begin at the end and weave your way back. If the first words won’t come to you for the beginning of your story, think about how you want the piece to end.
2. Start with the title. Take a few minutes to find a working title. Think about what you want to say in your piece and create a title from those ideas.
3. Jump in to the middle. Who says you have to start at the beginning – or even the end? Throw yourself in to the middle of the story and weave your way up and back down (or vice-versa)!
4. Go easy on yourself and weave an outline. Sometimes you need an outline. I find them especially helpful on most of my work.
5. Take a break and create a Wordle. They’re fun, and they’re sure to help you get your weave on!

There aren’t any rules set in stone of how you should weave your stories. Words usually come naturally if you nurture your creativity and treat your body well. Yes, there are dry spells in every writer’s life at some point, but if you follow the tips above, it will help you find inspiration once again.

Your work will be much richer, much more beautiful, if you allow yourself to be vulnerable enough that your heart and soul bleeds in to each and every word you weave.

Did you enjoy this article? Feel free to visit the other articles Michele has written for Writer’s Round-About–or contact her to write for you.

How do you weave your words? Similar to me, or different? Do you apply any of these techniques to your own writing? Do you have any weaving tips to share with us? We’d love to hear from you; please join in – or start – the conversation!

Reference: Wordle.net

Words, words, and more words…. They float around in our heads – until our brains feel like mush. At least, mind does (sometimes).

But there are also times that our brains look like a vast, white space. And no matter how hard we try to tap into our inner muse; no matter how many different techniques we use, we can’t seem to find those perfect first words. Sometimes, it seems, the only words that come to mind are: contract, deadline, SEO, or even bills.

I mentioned my lack of words on a social media media site a while back and got the following response:

“Start out writing your name, address and a description of the room in which you’re writing. I wrote a newspaper column for nearly 20 years. I’m very practiced in breaking up log-jams in the writerly brain. Just remember, there’s a torrent just behind that dam!” – K. C. Compton (Editor, at Ogden Publications)

Excellent advice, K.C.! (Of course, I guess that’s why she is one of the Editor’s-In-Chief for Ogden Publications, huh?)

It’s during the times that we’re grasping desperately for words – any word – that we can apply the following tips, as well as K.C.’s advice.

7 Surefire Ways to Find New Words

1. Grab a notebook and start writing a list. This list can be about anything: your dreams,  pros and cons of something you’ve been considering, maintenance or other projects for your house – even a grocery list.
2. Take a break and play Scrabble. What better way to enjoy some time – and company – than being hands-on with letters and words?!
3. Write a thank you note or friendly letter to someone. Think warm thoughts and share your heart with the recipient.
4. Email or IM a friend. If that friend is a writer, that’s even better. They can help lift your spirits and jog your memory about past times you’ve had abundant writing inspiration.
5. Read your favorite blog or a few pages from a book that’s nearby. Words from one of your favorite authors/bloggers will help get your creative juices flowing.
6. Get up from your computer and go in to another room or outside. It’s amazing how much difference a view makes. By simply stepping in to the next room or popping outside for a few minutes, you can refuel your mind. Look at old photos or sit on your porch or deck for a spell – absorb your surroundings and soak up the inspiration life brings!
7. Pamper yourself. Something like a cup of hot tea and your favorite magazine, a 20-minute soak in a warm bath sprinkled with lavender essential oil or bath salts, or a short nap can provide just the amount of rejuvenation your body needs to crank up your muse once again.

What do you do to find new words when your writing well has run dry? Do you stand beneath the idea waterfall? Or use any of the tips I shared above? Do you have a fabulous technique to share with us? Chime in!

Did you enjoy this article? Feel free to visit the other articles Michele has written for Writer’s Round-About–or contact her to write for you.

Photo Credit: Wordle, created by Michele Tune

Peace: such a simple, short, one syllable word. Yet, this one word represents the difference between a calm heart, and a tortuous soul. Isn’t that the battle we freelance writers are always enduring?

We all yearn for peaceful lives, don’t we? The desire for peace unites many people who otherwise wouldn’t be in the same room together, right?

Peace (or Zen) is also something we writers desire. I don’t know about you, but I fantasize about waking up after a long, peaceful night’s rest, finding my way to the kitchen, grabbing an oversized hot mug of tea (sometimes coffee), heading to a giant chair that swallows me up, cuddling up with my laptop – and muse – and lounging around in my pajamas all day, while writing ’till my heart’s content. Ah, it sounds so very nice. Don’t you think so?

Okay, back to reality for me!

With the new year, comes endless opportunities for new beginnings.

I’ve decided that one (important) thing I’m going to focus on incorporating in to my life, is Zen. I actually started before 2010, but I feel like I cheated myself – and others – because I never really applied Zen living like I originally planned.

5 Ways 2010 (Can) = Freelance Writing Zen

1. De-cluttering my e-mail. I started doing this before 2009 ended, but I’m going to continue in 2010. (I had subscribed to a lot of stuff!) This includes unsubscribing from newsletters (or blogs) I never read, updates I subscribed to because of contests, etc. There’s no reason to waste time deleting e-mails every single day.
2. Practicing yoga often. This might not mean daily (although I’m going to shoot for that goal), but I’m definitely going to put forth more of an effort to make yoga a big part of my life. (Others even told me that my writing became much more prolific when I was practicing yoga daily!)
3. Reflecting on where my freelance writing journey began, so I can stay focused on where I’m going. What a blessing to look back on where I came from so I can encourage myself that I can make my writing dreams come true!
4. Staying organized. Organization is crucial for not only keeping stress down, but for maintaining a feeling of control – and a fresh (visual) sense of cleanliness.
5. Nipping procrastination in the bud. One of the worst things we writers can fall into is procrastination. Acting on thoughts like “Oh, I’ll just dive in to Twitter for a while until my muse visits again” or “I’ll get caught up on my blog reading” can prove fatal to your deadlines. It’s fine to reward yourself with social media or other Internet “play time” once you’ve polished off a chunk of your work, or met deadlines for the day/week, but don’t procrastinate until you hurt your business.

I’m also going to work on just being. Do you have a problem making that happen, too? It seems that even when I’m away from the computer, all of the unfinished “tasks” haunt me. It’s like a little devil sits on my shoulder, whispering: “You should be writing this” or “You could finish that.” Freelance work is always, always sitting there. We’re never finished are we? Work – even if it’s our own, personal projects -  is always calling our writerly soul.

So, yes, in 2010 I’m going to do my best to make time to just be, like the gal in the photo up there. It’s high time I actually stop to smell the roses!

Here’s to a successful, blessed – and very Zen – 2010!

Did you enjoy this article? Feel free to visit the other articles Michele has written for Writer’s Round-About–or contact her to write for you.

How are you going to bring Zen living in to your life in 2010? Have you already started? Do share; I might want to add it to my life!

Photo Credit: kudumomo



Are you wondering why your writing business is stagnant? Why you were zipping through article after article, word after word, cashing check after check, and were living high on the writing mountain – and now you’re not?

You look around your freelance life to see that clients have dried up, emails have waned, the phone is quiet. Editors and clients have simply quit contacting you. It seems like your business is as stale as package of crackers someone forgot to close up.

There are many reasons our writing, and our business, can become stagnant. If you’re looking for solutions, you’ve come to the right place because I’m going to tell you what the root cause is for your business’ stagnation. Are you ready to hear it? The answer is one small word: you.

That’s right. The root cause of your writing – and your business – becoming stagnant lies within you.

Are you a one woman – or man – band? If you’re like most of us freelancers, you create your own invoices, write for various clients and editors, do all your own marketing and networking, and so on. It can become exhausting. It isn’t hopeless, though!

Stagnant Sources and Solutions

Let’s see what we can do to change your stagnant situation….

Source:

Lack of exercise. When we stop moving and just sit all day, not only is our blood not pumping through our bodies to make us sweat the impurities out, but our minds aren’t pumping those endorphins that bring us inspiration, creativity, happiness, and peace.

Solution:

Get moving! Invest in a small trampoline and start rebounding. Even if it’s a couple of minutes here and there, at least you’re moving and it’s quite addictive. Once you start bouncing, you feel like a kid again and want to just keep going!

Source:

Lack of reading. Sometimes we writers need to walk away from the blank page, curl up with a good book and cup of hot tea, and just read, become lost in someone else’s mind.

Solution:

Start reading again! Since your looking at a decrease in income from your stagnant business, it’s not really feasible for you to be spending money you don’t have on reading material. There is a way to read without spending money, though. First, your local library is a fabulous resource. George Angus, from Tumblemoose Writing Services, is always reminding us how we should be taking advantage of such a precious treasure of literature: your library. And Google Books is a fantabulous resource for readers. SwapTree and BookMooch are two sites where you can sign up and list books you don’t want to keep. Then  you can trade books for books others have, that you’re interested in reading. From my understanding, the only cost to you is postage!

Source:

Lack of nutrition. Not eating enough – or eating the wrong things while tied to your desk – is a problem a lot of writers face each day.

Solution:

Make your health a priority. Don’t live on donuts, chips, fast food, sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, or any other processed food you can grab on a whim. I’ve already mentioned that fueling your body helps you fill the page. It’s amazing what keeping healthful foods within reach, and in your tummy, can do! So eat up on the healthy stuff! Prepare veggies and other healthy options ahead of time so when you reach for something, you’ll grab a healthy choice — at least most of the time.

Source:

Lack of joy. How can you crank out happy words if you aren’t happy?

Solution:

Don’t allow your joy to fade away. If you have, take it back! What used to make you happy and bring you joy before you started freelancing and lost yourself in your work? Did you have a hobby? Did you volunteer somewhere? Are you a painter? Did you take time to read or garden or spend time with family? Would you go shopping? Visit the gym? Would you see the latest movie with a friend?

Source:

Living a friendless life. Not having friends can make for a very lonely, sad life.

Solution:

Make friends or  rekindle friendships you used to have. When your writing business took off, did you leave your “Real Life” friends in your dust? Think about it. If you did, bring them back into your life. And if you didn’t have friends before freelancing consumed you, go out and find some.

Source:

Isolation. It’s hard to come by inspiration, motivation, and joy when you’re isolated.

Solution:

Force yourself to get out of your comfort zone! No ifs, ands, or buts. Just do it.

I hope these ideas and tips have helped you realize that when our lives become stagnant, our minds and creativity do as well. If we’re unhappy, isolated, alone, stagnant in our hearts and souls, our clients and editors will read that in our stale, lifeless words. Oh, you’ll be able to hide it for a while. Maybe for a long, long time. If you’re really talented, you’ll probably even fool yourself. But do you want to? Do you want to become a burnt-out-fried-to-a-crisp-mushy-brain kind of freelancer? I don’t. And I don’t believe you do either.

Do you suffer from any of these stagnant sources? Do you feel like your writing business is stagnant right now? Are you going to follow any of these tips to turn your business from stagnant to successful again? Have I forgotten anything? Can I glean wisdom from you? I know WRA readers (and I!) would love to hear from you!!

Photo Credit: bizior

Tired of spending endless hours staring at a blank page? Exhausted and feel like your brain has somehow mysteriously been kidnapped and turned into a gooey, soft mush? Can’t focus? Not able to think clearly? Have trouble remembering how to spell the simple stuff you know by heart?

You’re probably suffering not only from MJSS, but from lack of nutrition. I touched lightly on eating in my post: Natural, Zen Remedies for MJSS but I’d like to share a little more detail on this topic because I truly believe a lot of freelancers out there are struggling, trying desperately to scrounge up some brain power. And, for that, I give you…

Food for Thought

Eating is a very important part of life. Eat too much and you feel bloated, sick, and lethargic. Eat too little and you’ll end up weak, foggy, and unable to concentrate. Eat too much – or only – the wrong foods, and you’ll more than likely be out of sorts totally!

It’s amazing what a difference I feel overall when I’m bombarding my body with fresh, raw juices, smoothies, veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds. When I allow too many non-raw foods (especially any processed ones) into my diet I pay for it, both in body, and in mental clarity – or lack thereof.

You don’t have to stop enjoying all your favorite (even junk) foods to achieve the enhanced focus and inspiration you’re craving. Just a few minor changes to your daily lifestyle can make all the difference in your freelance life. Really.

Fuel Your Freelance Business

Let me guess: You work long, crazy hours. Am I right? You forget to eat – or you nibble on donuts, chips, or chocolate while you sit all those hours staring at the computer screen. True, no?

Try the following tips for extra nutrition, strength, and motivation. You might just be surprised how much you accomplish!

Freelance-Friendly Fuel Tips

1. Instead of racing to the computer when you first wake up of the morning, race to the kitchen. Drink some water and if you’re not one to fuss over a fancy breakfast, just grab a piece of fruit, make a bowl of oatmeal, or whip yourself up a yummy fruit smoothie.
2. Don’t run to your office – or corner – just yet. Prepare for the work day by portioning yourself some nuts and/or seeds for a snack. Nuts and seeds are not only delicious and filling, they’re filled with protein and other nutrients your body – and your brain – will gobble up.
3. Keep a fresh glass of water within reach so you’ll stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent you from craving the wrong kinds of foods as well.
4. Make snacks and/or meals ahead of time. If you do that, you’re less likely to order take-out like pizza or pasta and you’re more likely to fill up on healthier options throughout the day.
5. Try practicing a few minutes (as little as 10 minutes!) of yoga each morning before you begin your work day, or to relax and stretch yourself during the day. Many people who begin practicing yoga fairly regularly notice an improved change in their eating habits, energy, and brain functions.

These tips will not only keep your body fueled, but your mind rarin’ to go and your freelance goals on target. So you see, the best way to fuel your freelance business (aka bring in the money and success!) is to fuel your brain by feeding your body. What are you waiting for? Grab some healthy snacks, guzzle some water, and get busy doing what you do best: fill that blank page!

Did you enjoy this article? Feel free to visit the other articles Michele has written for Writer’s Round-About–or contact her to write for you.

Do you apply any of these tips to your day-to-day freelance routine? Do you have anything extra to add, that I’ve forgotten? How to you fuel your brain so you can fuel your freelance business? Let’s discuss and glean from each other!

Photo source

It has happened to me hundreds of times.  My schedule is clear, children are occupied, housework is caught up, and suddenly my writing time flops because I don’t know how to start.  Starting is necessary to reach a finished article, short story, poem or novel. In order to write, you must practice writing on a regular basis. Inspiring writing comes with routine, innovation, and determination.

• Writing Bursts

  Ban together with fellow writers and have a writing burst.  Twenty to thirty minutes of free writing will loosen the words – and your fingers – while building the creative juices.

• Musical Melodies

  Playing a music selection during your writing time will help train your body to write during those same melodies.  Music will also create a white noise, blending all the distracting sounds.  A particular music selection can also bring back the inspiration of a particular story if you stop the tract when it becomes necessary to move onto other scheduled items.

• Lists

  Writing out your lists for the day, including to-do’s, shopping, bills, and chores will allow you the opportunity to clear your mind of those tasks and focus on what you have set down to do during your writing time.

• Scheduling

  It is not only important, but vital to a writer’s life to schedule your day around the time you write, not the other way around.  If you are trying to take care of life first and fail to nurture the writer within you, the writer within you will fail to perform when time comes.

• Taking the phone off the hook

  Yes, I absolutely mean that.  The phone can be a major distraction.  Friends and family call when they feel the need to share a funny story or complain about the clerk at the store forgetting to give change.  There is no use in telling anyone to call you x many times in a row if it is an emergency.  There will always be one person who believes the clogged sink is worth interrupting you.  Unless you are a plumber and are able to snake a drain, it is NOT important.

In the video below, Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love“, shares the greatest rule for artistic success, Show Up For The Job!

As writers, we struggle against inspiration and creativity but can we truly know the source of insight and ideas? Our job is to show up, hands on keys or pen on page, be there, each day and perform the act of writing; participate in the process. We can’t control the quality of our creativity, we can’t control how receptive to our thoughts readers will be or which novel makes it to the best seller lists and which don’t. Our part of the process is to show up at the keyboard and get the words on the page.

Listen as Elizabeth discusses the importance of nurturing creativity and trusting the “genius” that exists outside of ourselves, and in putting aside fear to do the job.

What are your thoughts about what Elizabeth has shared? Do you feel creativity is an external power? Where do you think your own creativity comes from?

What is a superhero? Let’s see what Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary has to say:

Main Entry: su·per·hero

Pronunciation: \-ˌhir-(ˌ)ō, -ˌhē-(ˌ)rō\

Function: noun

Date: 1917

: a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also : an exceptionally skillful or successful person

… an exceptionally skillful or successful person

Aha!

So, you see, Superman, Spiderman, and Wonder Woman aren’t the only ones who can whirl around like magic, whipping themselves into their alter ego and race off in a flash to save the day!

We, as writers and bloggers, are (in a sense) superheroes, too. I mean, without talented and creative professional writers, what would the world read? Can you imagine if all that was available to read were books and articles filled with grammar and spelling errors? And what if movies were based on that writing? What if you had to sit through movie after movie sprinkled full of incorrect dialogue and super boring plots? (Okay, so that happens already, but what if it was worse?!) Wouldn’t the literary world be such a bummer if that were our reality?!

Living Like a Superhero

Seriously, though, have you ever been interrupted by your Muse while having a phone conversation, during a dinner date, or even at a party? You know the scenario: You’re chatting away, laughing and having a blast and then it happens: Your beloved, highly-sought-after, well-respected Muse strikes you like a bolt of lightning with an idea so fabulous you’re tempted to say “Hold that thought, I’ll be right back” so you can escape to don your Writer’s Superhero Cape and dash off into the night to save that story idea, right? Or, maybe you’ve done just that. You’ve cut a phone call short or excused yourself for a restroom break so you can jot that idea down on a napkin—or even the palm of your hand!

We’ve all been there. I’m often visited by my Muse at the most inconvenient times. For example, the idea for this very article struck me in the shower this morning! Yes, that’s right. Who knew Muses were so persistent they wouldn’t even let you wash in peace?! Hmmm…. Talk about standing beneath the Idea Waterfall!

Act Like a Superhero

I should be used to it by now, really. Sometimes I’m too tired to make a mad dash for the laptop or notebook and write down my Muse’s sweet whispers. Other times, I’ll break my neck (figuratively speaking, of course!) to find the nearest notebook and pen. Yes, there have been (many) times I forgot the idea(s). It’s like they went in one ear and out the other, never to be whispered again. But, for the most part, I’m usually pretty quick at catching those whispers in one of the many cobwebbed corners of my brain and documenting them. Some are still sitting there, waiting to be birthed into stories. The rest have been used in one way or another—even if the pieces aren’t published yet.

Want to be a Writing Superhero, too? Grab a cape and join me!

Seven Superhero Writing Tips

1. Keep a small notebook and pen with you wherever you go.
2. Always carry your camera. (Sometimes the Muse doesn’t talk, he points!)
3. Don’t be lazy! Get up out of bed and write those ideas down!
4. If you don’t have a notebook (like in my case with this article idea, I was in the shower), repeat the idea—or title, which is what came to me first with this article—over and over until you can find something to write on.
5. Tune in to your sensitive writer’s ears. Learn to listen carefully for your Muse’s soft voice—you never know when they’ll swish right past you for a quick idea-filled visit!
6. Don’t be afraid to take a minute to write something down—no matter where you are. You are, after all, a professional writer and you have to take notes for your business!
7. And don’t forget to pack your cape like any good superhero does. You must be prepared for emergencies.

Did you enjoy this article? Feel free to visit the other articles Michele has written for The Writer’s Round-About.

So, how does it feel to be a superhero? Have you ever thought of yourself as a superhero? Have you ever dashed off like Superman (or Wonder Woman) in a desperate effort to salvage your idea? What were the results—published articles, books, plays, blogs? Or maybe it was a novel idea or finished book you have stuffed away in a drawer collecting dust instead of money and a byline…. Take your cape off for a while and share your superhero adventures—we want to hear all about ‘em!

Resources:

Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superhero

Photo – julostock

“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” — e.e. cummings

As a survivor of domestic violence–and someone who has battled low self-esteem issues for years–I’m always amazed when I receive emails or comments (from readers, clients, and editors) on how confident I am. So, how have I built up my self-confidence? How have I found the courage to sell my writing services?

I haven’t really followed a specific recipe or any certain ritual for gaining confidence—it’s just kind of developed and flourished as I’ve moved forward on the freelance path. I put my thinking cap on, though, and have reflected on what has brought me to where I am today….

7 Keys to Building Confidence

1. Faith. Above all, my faith is what has brought me this far. It’s because of my beliefs, my prayer life, and my joy-filled heart that I’ve found the strength, the inspiration, the dedication, and the passion to keep going—even when I’ve felt like giving up or things didn’t look good.
2. Practice. Remember the old phrase “practice makes perfect”? It is so true. Write, write, write. The more you write, the more you’ll write. It’s a vicious cycle. Seriously. And as you continue writing and writing, you’ll end up building your confidence in the process.
3. Persistence. Maybe I should have said “dedication”. If you’re dedicated and persistent in what you do, you’ll eventually achieve your goals. I most certainly am persistent.I’ve often laughed while saying “I may be a turtle, but the tortoise won the race!” It may take a while, but if you’re consistent with your writing, your queries, your book proposals (whatever), you’ll get where you’re going. Just keep at it!
4. Blogging. If you’ve never started a blog, it can be terrifying but I’m convinced blogging has improved my confidence. Why? Because of the positive feedback, of course! The emails and comments I receive bring me to tears they’re so beautiful, heartfelt, and encouraging! On days I feel like caving and calling it quits, I dig through some of those positive notes and it doesn’t take long to feel the motivation kick in!
5. Social Media. Like blogging, social media has its place, in my opinion. Why? Because you have the amazing opportunity to carry on conversations with people from all over the world in real-time. It’s crazy and fascinating all at once! As you begin to open up to the world and show them who you are, and find that they are very accepting of your mishaps and very praising of your accomplishments, you’ll almost feel like you’re in Kindergarten again with a big ole smile on your face, so proud of yourself for making new friends. It works. Trust me.
6. Exercise. This really works too, folks. From walking to rebounding to my latest love affair with yoga, I find when I make the time to get in some exercise (especially when fresh air’s involved!) I think more clearly and feel more refreshed and confident.
7. Listen. This is where a lot of people fail—and not just freelancers. It’s hard to listen but taking instruction can carry you a lot farther down the path to success than if you ignore the wisdom of others and traipse along blindly. Case in point: Close your mouth, open your ears, and listen. The wisdom you’ll gain will not only help you build your confidence, it will help you build character.

Two Bonus Tips:

A retired school teacher/author once told me: “Michele, you’ll face a lot of rejection. Just accept it and move on.“ I have followed her advice and no matter how sad it made me and how bad my heart ached when my work has been turned down, I’ve accepted it as part of the freelance writing journey, and I have absolutely moved on.

Of course, I can’t leave out the fact that I have a strong support system. Not everyone has that. I realize I am truly blessed. But I still believe (with all my heart!) if you’ll apply the above steps to your freelance life, you’ll find confidence you never knew you had!

Photo Credit:
svilen001

Sharon Hurley Hall of Get Paid To Write Online recently shared her six word memoir. Six words to highlight the life you lived, the person you were, and the legacy you left behind. What six words would you want to exemplify your existence?

Integrity

When I die I’d like to stand over my Akashic Records and read about a life lived with integrity. As a writer, ‘truth’ is sacred and complex. As a fiction writer it is a thousand times more so. Every novelist knows that the best novels are held together with firm bindings of truth. But integrity is important in all aspects of life, not just fiction writing. Living a life of integrity is about facing down who you really are and being that person despite potential defamation, discrimination, or segregation.

When others remember the person I was they’ll say, “I knew her, because she never pretended to be anything but herself.”

Creativity

I live in my Idea Waterfall. It is here the very essence of life surrounds me, flows through me. That essence? Creativity. Without creativity all that is or ever was would never have been. Every accomplishment mankind has achieved came first, through creativity. To create!

As a writer creativity is my lifeblood. Without it I am nothing more than a husk of the person I want to be.

Passion

The ultimate life is lived with passion. Without passion we follow the masses, clock in and out, sleep, eat, and function but do not live. I think, because I am Bipolar, I’m more conscious of the influence passion has on my life. Passion is more powerful than the deepest of lows, it is a tether in the peaking highs. What I feel passionate about is a ground, a center, constantly bringing me back when I’ve wandered from the course. Being passionate about writing steers me back here when anxiety, depression, or pain draw me away from the page.

Passion is a driving force, embrace it.

Nurturing

As a mother, I know what it is to nurture a child. As a writer, to nurture the story, the characters. As a human being I choose to nurture the hopes and dreams of those around me. One of the things I love most about freelancing is having the opportunity to guide other writers. Some hire me as a mentor or editor and it is a blessing to watch their skill grow, their confidence glisten, their writing mature. Other writers are simply friends, we nurture the talent within each other and harness each others strength to achieve, to succeed.

We cherish and nurture the seed within each other.

Charity

I believe in giving more than I have. It doesn’t make much sense on the surface, but I reflect on my life in any moment and feel abundant. I have so much. I have two beautiful children, a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, clothes on our backs, and all that we need to live happy, healthy lives. I have love, and hope, and with those two things alone the future burns bright and clear. I live an abundant life and I give freely because there is great need in the world.

Reflect on your life and see your own abundance. Do not be afraid that giving of yourself or all you own makes you less, it makes you more.

Fantasy

I suppose the final word of my memoir would be fantasy. For, with all of the above, I give this as my greatest gift to the world, and cherish it most dearly as the world’s greatest gift to me. I choose to write fantasy because it gives us ultimate freedom. Fantasy has no structure, no restriction, and needs no source. All that you imagine, is, or will be. Creativity has no reign in the world of fantasy, and living in that world, heart and mind, even for a moment, is like breathing under the sea or touching a star; impossible, magical.

Fantasy charged with creativity makes anything possible.

What are your six words?