Articles with the inspiration Tag

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

So many writers find themselves pushing too hard and getting nowhere. After all, many of us began freelancing to escape office politics and spend more time with our families. So why work yourself harder than any employer would?

After beating my head against the proverbial wall for a long time, I finally realized that I couldn’t force myself to write, even if I kept a strict schedule and eliminated all distractions. So I began to treat myself better, with writing rituals that are fun and encourage productivity instead of demanding it.

Tracking My Writing With Stickers

Yes, stickers. Usually found on third grade spelling papers, the simple gold star or thumbs up sticker is a major motivator for me. I reward myself after I’ve completed each writing task of the day, which for me is a list of articles and blog posts.

Here’s my sticker tracking process:

• Ditch the to-do list. Anything time related is scheduled in as an appointment. For my other projects, I check my email and other online “inboxes” to determine what needs to be written that day.
• Grab a notebook. For me, it’s an inexpensive red journal. I write in today’s date and quick abbreviations of the titles I’m working on. I also jot down any notes about my day, whether I’ve woken up with a headache or I have an appointment to remember.
• Turn on the tunes. My MP3 player is the best gift I’ve given myself! Having a stream of my favorite music playing blocks out the rest of the world and gives me additional focus. (One earphone is out if the kids are awake!)
• Light a candle. This provides my visual focus, along with a quick break from staring at the computer screen all day. You could easily substitute a family photo or vision board to inspire you as well.
• Set a timer. A timer provides instant motivation as I race to see how fast I can complete my articles. I use a free program, but a kitchen timer works just as well. I set mine to one hour, and I’m off!
• Track the results. After each article, I check my timer, write down my time, and choose a sticker. I have made progress, even if it’s just one article, and I deserve a mini-reward! (Plus stickers are terribly cute!)

This is my ideal way to progress through my writing day. I can flip through my notebook, and instantly see how productive I was by how many stickers I’ve collected. If a day didn’t go so well, I can read my notes and see what happened.

Benefits of Creating Your Own Writing Rituals

Obviously, my writing ritual may not be right for you. So I encourage you to create your own rituals, to ease into your writing day. You will reap many rewards by treating yourself right, and encouraging the muse to visit from time to time.

• Increased productivity. If you do the same things daily, you will develop good writing habits, and naturally speed up as you write. Your mind will know when it’s time to work, and when you put your accouterments away, your mind will know when to rest.
• Peace of mind. You don’t have a boss standing over your shoulder, expecting you to be productive. You certainly don’t want to become that kind of boss either! You can rest easy knowing that you are still getting things done, in a manner that is customized to your working style and is not stress-inducing in itself.
• Enjoy your writing. Although we all love writing, there are days where the act of writing is not fun. Even when it seems that pulling teeth would be easier than pulling words out of your brain, you can give yourself small rewards to keep yourself going.
• Embrace your competitive nature. Without co-workers, many of us have no measuring stick to compare ourselves to. If you track your progress, you can compete with yourself to get “just one more” article done, or cut down your time by “just five minutes”.

Do you already have writing rituals? Share them here. Planning to make your own rituals? Bring your ideas to the table.

Photo Credit: Love Janine

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?

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?

To recap Focus on Writing thus far, we have discussed Finding Time and Obliterating Distractions.  In segment three, we will examine influences and inspirational tools to create ideas, to write.

For every writer, creating ideas can often lead to brainstorming blockages.  When creativity stops flowing, writing becomes one of the most challenging aspects of a freelancer’s job.  By adjusting how we look at the world and utilizing tools available, generating ideas becomes a natural part of the daily process.  Simulating the senses is key.

As a writer, I reach for very specific tools to increase creativity: books, movies, music, nature and people.

Books offer an entirely new world from cover to cover.  When I read fictional books, I’m carried away into a different land – forced to experience new emotions and visuals – all in my mind.  I have picked up many books in my life that were less than desirable reads, but quickly learned to continue reading the story instead of closing the cover and reaching for another.  By looking at the book as a learning tool, I’m able to see the author’s means of constructing sentences, images and emotions.  Often times I will come across a word that I don’t know and stop long enough to discover the meaning.

Movies are similar to books in whisking you away to another time and place.  Watching actors and actresses convey emotion in their faces offers a new description for the characters in a story you write.  Taking time to delve completely into any character of your choosing will ignite emotions in yourself that may not have been felt for many years.  Utilizing those emotions to rekindle memories brings a new dimension for ideas.

Music can speak to the soul.  Riffs and melodies carefully construed will send a surge through your body from head to toe.  Carried in that surge are ideas pertaining to the overall feeling a song has offered.  Blasting the radio to 50’s and 60’s music elicits memories of road trips from my childhood.  Descriptive scenes and ideas come flooding with the memories.  Each word that pops into my mind is written down for reference later.

Nature is an amazing source of inspirational ideas.  Walking along a stream, ocean or in the mountains provides a completely new dimension and experience for your mind.  Breaking away from the monotony of life is a means to break any blockages or lack of inspiration you might feel.  With any trip outside your home, carrying a pen and paper or digital recorder is necessary to jot ideas as they come.

People watching is an incredible art.  Sitting in a crowded coffee shop with conversations all around can’t be beat.  As people interact and their conversations pass through your ears, certain words or phrases can catch you off guard and offer one more opportunity to create.  The young couple in the back discuss their pending trip to Europe, a truck driver a few chairs away talks about the loneliness of the road and the waitress behind the counter shares with coworkers that she’s moving across country to marry her Internet romance…

By observing the world with your senses, you will find that creating ideas comes with ease.  Recognizing and writing everything down becomes the challenge.  Fiction and non-fiction both stem from the world around us.  How are you going to see the world around you?

Where do you find or create ideas for your writing?

In part one of Focus on Writing, we discussed finding time and the importance of scheduling.  In part two of Focus on Writing, we gander at ways to obliterate distractions.

Just as some people are able to sleep through a tornado; others have no qualms with working through noise.  For the rest of us, peace and quiet can mean the difference between completing an assignment or not.

As you take a week to note various issues in your time management, make note of distractions that stop you from finishing the masterpiece you’ve devoted time towards. As obliterating distractions carries on, we will look at some of the common distractions easily found inside the home.

• Phone
• Internet
• Family and Friends
• External Noise
• and Children

Alexander Graham Bell was a wise man when the telephone became a reality.  As a means of communication across the world – and with editors – the telephone is a necessity for your freelance writing business.  The phone becomes an issue, however, when it is used as a procrastination tool.  A short conversation can turn into hours, especially if you have family like mine!

The rules I have for the phone during my “working” hours are:

1. Answer every call that I don’t recognize.
2. Unless the call is from an editor, potential client or an emergency I explain that I am working and ask if there is a good time I can call back.
3. When the call coming through is from family or friends, they have the understanding to call back a second time if it is an emergency, otherwise leave a message and I’ll call back once I’m finished with my tasks at hand.

When the Internet becomes your enemy (you’ve found every application game on Facebook and must respond to every Plurk or Tweet and can’t seem to break the addiction) using those networks as a reward changes the dynamic into a positive reinforcement. It takes time to adjust the Internet from a negative influence in your life into a positive one. Stick with it and if necessary, take the opportunity to disconnect, literally, from the modem. Once you’ve completed one part or one article, connecting yourself back to the ‘net to play becomes exciting and acceptable.

I love my family and friends.  They are important in my life as a support network.  In the early days of working from home, my doorbell would ring and I jumped to see who it was.  Many hours of my day were lost with coffee and conversation.  Don’t get me wrong, there were definitely times when I needed those days, but generally, I would end up working until the wee hours of the morning to play catch-up.  I learned that this was one of the most difficult distractions to overcome. I broke down and talked to my friends and family. I asked that they call before visiting and as I explained why, they most often obliged.

Should you not be fortunate enough to sound proof your home from external noise, combat the distracting noises with a purposeful noise. Playing a radio or CD can help keep you focus on the writing task at hand. If you can’t tolerate rock or country music, a music selection in those genres will prove counter productive, however, if you find classical music invigorating and inspirational, increasing your selection of Bach, Tchaikovsky or Mozart is wise.

Children are blessing like no other, however quite the distraction on a good day, let alone one filled with more challenges.  I learned during the time I spent as a single Mom that I had to rely on my network for help.  Arranging for a friend or family member to take my son out to lunch saved my sanity.  While I didn’t expect to receive such a warm welcome, working from home and all, I was quite pleased with the end result.  Sometimes people who cause the greatest distractions in our world can become the biggest asset, especially where parenting is concerned.

Now that we’ve found the time we need and have removed those pesky distractions, it’s time to Create Ideas – and write.  Stay tuned for part three of Focus on Writing.