Articles with the creativity Tag

Okay, I admit it, I am absolutely passionate about writing! From poetry at age three to yellow legal pads full of screenplays and short stories, I was a pretty prolific writer at a young age! Words have always been my favorite plaything, and crafting them into a cohesive piece is a satisfying way to spend an afternoon – and a lifetime!

However, not all writing strikes excitement into the depths of your heart. Let’s face it, highly technical writing can be dry and lifeless, and it takes a special breed of writer to get excited about articles stuffed with SEO keywords. Many assignments that will cross your path won’t breech your wealth of knowledge or interest.

Stoke Your Writing Passion

How to keep the writing fires burning? Like any loving relationship, tending to your writing passion requires tenderness and care. Trudging through one incredibly dull writing project after another will snuff out the last smoldering remains of your writing passion! Yet we all have to accept some uninspiring writing assignments once in awhile. Even the flame of writing passion that burns brightly at the beginning of the best writing projects can grow dim over time.

Here are some of the hottest (!) tips to stoke your love of writing to new heights:

• Schedule your writing first. Start your writing day off right by working on your favorite type of writing first. It stretches those early morning creative muscles and the inspiration can spread to your other writing projects throughout the day. Do you have a budding novel that you don’t have much time to write? A quick 30 minutes will jumpstart your writing day and bring steady progress as well.
• Alternate between dull and exciting writing. Dragging through a mundane piece? Take a break and switch off to something more lively. Even if you need to complete the harder project immediately, it won’t get done quickly if you’re scraping the bottom of your creativity. Working on an engaging piece can get the pen or keyboard moving, and you can switch back to your higher priority (but less lovely) writing when you are ready.
• Remember why you love writing. Do you love crafting interesting characters? Make your real life subjects come alive in your non-fiction writing, by learning what motivates them and how they are changing the world. Can you describe anything with clarity and attention to detail? Transfer your exposition talents to mundane topics, to capture your audience’s attention. Your writing passion can carry over to all forms of writing, with a little creativity.

With time and attention, your writing passion can be sustained throughout your writing career. Don’t let the writing doldrums get you down! All of our writing deserves our best effort, and the rewards of a passionate relationship with our writing can last a lifetime.

How do you keep the writing home fires burning? What area of writing really excites you? Share your love of writing here!

Photo Credit: Photos8.com

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

You’re just wasting time blabbing to people you don’t know.

Get off that computer and get a life.

Why can’t you get a real job?

How much money can you make playing on the computer anyway?

These are just a few of the insults and sarcastic remarks freelancers often hear.

Add on to that the multi-job stress syndrome most freelancers endure and you’ll need more than a few natural remedies to calm you down!

Social Media = Less Stress?

Not only is Social Media an excellent way to market yourself and network your way to the top, it’s a learning process that improves with time. And during that time that you’re learning and building solid relationships, you are doing something else: de-stressing. That’s right!

By mingling on the various Social Media sites, all sorts of things can cross your virtual path. Think: inspirational quotes, new gigs, lasting friendships, encouragement, funny jokes, and so much more.

It can be so relaxing to be inspired, to inspire others, or to just have a good laugh. Social Media is more than a “waste of time” as many seem to believe, it’s a networking tool that allows you to share with the world who you are and what your business is about, while giving you a few minutes here and there to simultaneously take your mind off your work and just breathe.

It’s pretty easy to imagine that those who participate in Social Media frequently (or at least sometimes) aren’t as stressed and worn down as those who work non-stop, without a break of some sort – especially a mental one. And Social Media does provide a mental and emotional support system that surpasses anything most people could fathom.

Wind Down, Gear Up

Brain overload can happen fast. Your health is worth taking time out to regroup. You’ve heard many times through life (I’m sure) that you only have one body, one life, one mind — it’s your job to take care of yourself and cherish your time here on earth.

It may seem like nonsense, and some people may judge you for it, but I assure you that Social Media is not a waste of time!

By hopping on the Social Media circuits during “break time” you’re allowing your mind and body to wind down from work. You’re being refreshed in so many ways. And all this means that you’re mind will be gearing up to get back to work again.

New Friends, New Clients, New Sources

The bonus to your “play time” online is that you’ll (more than likely) eventually rub cyber elbows with future clients, editors, and even sources for your articles. It’s crazy to think that even though you’re taking a break from work and taking a few minutes to just enjoy life, that you’re actually continuing to represent your business. And if your Social Media following/friends grows over time (they usually always do) then your business is being exposed to hundreds, thousands, even millions of people while you sip your favorite drink and chat. I’d say that makes Social Media the perfect prescription for MJSS, wouldn’t you?

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 feel less stressed when you’re surfing the Social Media waves? Are you astounded that you can lightheartedly enjoy yourself while representing your professional services at the same time? What does Social Media mean to you? Have you gained new clients, sources, or lasting friendships? Tell us all about it!

Photo Credit: clix

Moving doesn’t always happen smoothly. Maintaining your writing during one of the most stressful times of your life is challenging. Ideas for articles come in many forms, this one is no different. Fortunately, the idea wasn’t lost because I took the opportunity to jot down a few thoughts before they left indefinitely.

Some of the most stressful times in a person’s life are moving, death, births, divorces, and weddings. All of those events are life altering. It is possible to write during those periods, even if the writing doesn’t produce an article at that exact moment. Recording your ideas becomes a necessary step to include with any major change in your life.

While undergoing any life changing time in your life, keep a notebook and pen with you at all times. The notebook doesn’t have to be fancy or large. A simple flip pad will do – and can fit in the back pocket of your jeans. Along side that notebook, keep a pen or pencil handy to scribble away ideas, thoughts, emotions or bits of conversation. After the words are scribbled, put the notebook away until you need it again.

When life has settled down and routine becomes familiar, you can pull out that same notebook and refer back to the pages. The mind is incredible, once you place words onto the page, you naturally recall the moment and everything associated to it. You will hear voices of dialogue, expressions on faces, emotions within, and, perhaps most importantly, the words played in your mind.

Ah, yes, those words. They are the ones that create the characters of a novel, a poem about the beautiful sky, and the article you’ve promised to write for an editor on the other end of a paycheck. With just a few simple words on a piece of paper, you will be capable of recalling all the information you need to complete that looming assignment or resume the novel that had you stuck.

It is a simple exercise that takes a bit of practice to master. Nurture your Muse by writing down all the words she supplies you. When it comes time to work through a challenging time in your life, your Muse will be kind to you. Chronicle your thoughts and ideas and begin learning how to recall the information she provided when the idea originally popped.

I’ll never go without my notebook and pen. You could say that they saved my tail during my most recent move. How has your notebook and pen saved you? Do you prefer a certain style of notebook or type of pen? What do you love most about your favorite notebook and pen?

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?

Financial stress can be a motivator; or detrimental to a freelance writer…

Recently, my husband and I refinanced our family car.  We were quite shocked at the difference in interest percents and the payments when all was said and done.  I realized that the stress of a three-hundred dollar payment was huge in how I approached my writing.

In the back of my mind, I thought about all of our bills every time I applied for a gig or wrote an article.  I quickly realized as I looked at our new loan terms that, finally, I had more freedom to truly follow my writing dreams and desires.  I no longer had to be held hostage by the end figure of a project.

If financial stress is bogging you down, consider these options:

• Refinance.

  Know the financial market and look at options that will reduce your overall cost without increasing the length of your term.  Consider non-profit banking options such as Federal Credit Unions.  Credit Unions are tax exempt and can offer you a much lower interest rate than the standard bank.

• Know your debt.

  Create a detailed list of your debts.  By knowing exactly where you stand financially, you will put yourself into a better position to make wise financial choices and eliminate stress.

• Budgeting.

  Look at your complete budget.  Find where you have steady income, moderately stable income and sporadic income.  Focus on replacing the sporadic income with writing jobs that provide much more reliable income opportunities.  (Hot Tip: Don’t forget to ask your editor if they have any additional work you could do!)

• Start small.

  As you examine your debts, find the smallest amounts and pay them off first.  Paying a $25 medical bill and wiping it off your list will reduce your stress.  The smallest bills are the easiest to eliminate and generally won’t put you into a financial bind.

• Build savings.

  If you have $500 – $1000 in savings, the stress of a family emergency, vehicle trouble or unexpected bill won’t increase your stress levels.  There’s a great sense of security when you have a bit of financial padding.

• Bartering.

  Should you find yourself in need of new brakes or an emergency dental procedure, consider bartering or exchanging your services.  Many companies will accept the offer for free advertising in lieu of the work they perform.

Take measures to reduce your debt and financial responsibility.  As you begin seeing debts fall off your list, you will feel a greater creative flow.  Following your writing dreams becomes a bit simpler and the writing process becomes much easier.  You will have freedom to weed through writing opportunities more thoroughly, selecting those that best fit your writing goals and personal desires.  Most of all, you can enjoy new-found reasons to express yourself through words!

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

There are moments in our lives when what was calm and structured becomes haphazard and crazy. It’s necessary to remember to write. Writing encourages your mind to continue developing metaphors, elaborate and descriptive experiences and keeps grammar fresh. For the typical college student, many hours are spent writing and reading. It’s during that time in our lives we are at our peak of writing know-how.

When twenty minutes is all you can spare, consider these ideas:

• Journal
  • Recording the events of your days is not only healthy for releasing tensions and sorting through problems, it can also give ideas for future articles and events transpiring in larger works, including novels.
• Writing Burst
  • Buddy up with a friend who writes.  Plan to do one writing burst a week and exchange them.  You might be pleasantly surprised at what comes through your mailbox and the inspiration it provides.
• Summarize the days events in 100 words or less
  • Keep it short and simple!  By limiting yourself to a small number of words, you will encourage your mind to pinpoint precise events and encourage learning new words to describe more than one action or event.
• Describe your best experience of the week
  • When life becomes chaotic, often times people will focus on the negative instead of look at the positive.  By focusing on the best experience of your week, you will boost your own mood and help change your perspective and disposition into one that is more positive.
• Carry a notebook and pen
  • By having a thought journal or idea journal that you carry, keeping track of ideas or jotting a few lines of a story will help bring those thoughts back to life when you have time to write.

Even though you may find you have no time to write an actual article or full piece of work, by continuing to write you are encouraging yourself to get right back into full-fledged writing once life settles back into routine.  Where can you find twenty minutes throughout your day?

Recently on Writer’s Round-About I talked about inner demons. Those nasty creatures that sit on our shoulder snarling negative propaganda about us and our writing. Well, they certainly sit on my shoulder but I’m sure there is a little demon with varied degree of power for each of us. Who is your little demon? Do you have just one or many?

George Singleton has a fantastic little pep-talk, number 16, in his book, Pep Talks, Warnings & Screeds:

If it is true that the audience members applaud as a maestro takes the stage, or when an actor emerges from the wings, because they wish to rid the venue from spirits and demons, then please make sure that you never enter your writing space while clapping. In fiction writing, it may be best to have as many specters and demons perched in the rafters as possible.

What do you think George meant?

How Can Our Demons Help Us?

Demons, inner or otherwise, gain power through fear and intimidation. Their ability to scare creates emotional and sometimes physical reactions. Sometimes, fear hinders us, freezing us in place, but fear is also a natural and positive response.

Fear can cause an adrenaline release. Adrenaline lets us move faster, think faster, act faster. It speeds our responses, heightens our senses, and energizes our endorphins. By embracing the fear these demons create we can bring emotion onto the page and we are more likely to feel the emotion coming off the page as we write. It helps us develop the right tone and depth and gives us a positive boost in motivation and momentum.

Our demons also force us to be cautious. To examine options, evaluate choices. While this may be more hindrance than help in the first stages of writing, welcoming our demons in the editing stage is a must. It is their voice that helps us meticulously comb our manuscript for errors and inconsistencies.

Other Demons To Consider

Our inner demons are not the only ones who play a role in our writing. These demons are a creation of the mind. They are our brains way of compartmentalizing our fears and insecurities. Our ability to create inner demons is a sign of fertile imagination and creativity. These demons are not the only ones who accompany us during the writing process.

Your protagonists must have demons of their own. They can be real or imagined, inner demons, or physical demons. Readers tend to associate best with well-rounded, balanced, characters. Characters need to have flaws and weaknesses. They need to have room to grow. It is normal for characters to face fears of their own.

More literally they also have the demonic aspects of their mirror, the antagonist. The antagonist has demons also, and can be the dark element of the story, a demon in his own right.

Can you see the demons and specters that haunt the rafters of your writing place? What influence do they have on your work? How do they help you? Answer these questions in the comments!