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Recently, I asked for advice on how to spark my creativity. I’m at an odd place in my writing – too close to the end of one book to be interested in it (no surprises left) and not far enough into another to know what the characters are doing. Plus, it’s summer, and my attention has been pulled toward vacations, sunny days, and a four-day work week.
What to do, then, to spark the creative side of my mind and get back into the swing of writing?
Not plotting. Not goal, motivation and conflict.
No, folks, we’re going back to old school. Hand writing. It’s an exercise called Morning Pages, and it’s the brainchild of Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way. The premise is to set aside a specific time every day and free write until three pages of 8-1/2″ x 11″ paper is filled.  No plotting, no stories, just whatever comes into your head and DON’T REREAD.  The thought is deeply buried problems will be revealed as well as the solutions.  After a specific period of time (I was given seven weeks.  I’ve made it through three days so far)  you’re to reread all your writing, circling the items you want changed and underlining action steps.  More often than not, the solutions are tucked away within your gripes.

Now, I haven’t read the book yet, and I’m taking the exercise from someone who participated in a class a decade or more ago, but it sounds like a solid theory.  I’m willing to give it a try.  So far, the writing has swung between griping about not having enough organization in my life and lists of ways I could organize it.  See, it’s working already.

Off now to put in my pages for the day.

Good luck on yours.

Comments (1) Jul 24 2009

Recently, while surfing the internet, I found some tips for maintaining a healthier lifestyle that could easily be applied to a healthier writing life style:

• You can become whatever you envision. Yeah, that’s right. If you think like a best-selling author, you’ll draw more attention and success than if you believe you’ll always fail.
• Claim your power.  You know you have it, or why pursue writing for a career/hobby/something to get away.  Empower yourself with your talent and get to work.
• Set your priorities.  Write another scene or blog?  Send out a query to an agent or an editor?  Research your next work or edit your last scene?  Without a clear path, you won’t make progress.
• Get pushy with yourself.  The book won’t write itself.  If you think you’ll only have time for one page today, write two.  Set your timer for fifteen minutes, turn off your inner editor, and push through, no stops, no looking up stuff, until the timer goes off.  Then write another page.
• Give yourself permission to succeed.  Nothing makes me angrier than hearing a fellow writer talk about submitting, then hearing her follow it up with a self depreciating remark.  Hey, if you’re going to write, then at least believe you’ll succeed at it.  As Yoda said, “There is no try, there is only do.”
• Give yourself permission to be awesome.  Yes. You.  You tell it to your kids everyday.  Why treat yourself to a lesser attitude?
• Become part of a circle.  Whether it’s a writing group, a critique group or a good friend who’s not afraid to tell you when your story has strayed, find a foundation of support that will help you grow.

These tips were meant to help lose weight, but if they work to make you a better writer, so much the better.

Comments (1) Jun 29 2009

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

You were odd, bizarre, and downright weird sometimes, but there was no denying your talent.

If you, reader, have a modicum of talent, don’t hide it, don’t be afraid of trying, of rejection, of being different.  Blaze a trail.  Don’t look back and say “I wish I had -”

You never know when time has run out.

Give yourself permission to be awesome.

Comments (0) Jun 25 2009

Thanks to Deb Dixon and the Mid-Michigan chapter of RWA.  I attended their workshop this past Saturday.  Along with copious notes of Deb’s GMC and an overview of The Hero’s Journey, Deb gave us an exercise she found in Finding Your Voice by Les Edgerton.  It goes like this:

Picture your character in the next scene you’re going to write.  Or the scene you’re in now.  Get into your character’s skin and ask these questions:

1. What do I see before me?
2. What do I feel?
3. What do I hear?
4. What do I smell?
5. What do I taste?
6. What is the light like?
7. What do I want?
8. What do I think?
9. What happens next?

This is an awesome exercise and it will get your creative juices going.

Comments (0) Jun 23 2009