Creativity Tips: Just for the record ...

Did you read yesterday's blog on writer's block? Well, I took my own advice. I walked away from the sample chapter I couldn't write on Monday or Tuesday.

Wednesday, I woke up and wrote a completely different sample chapter in an hour. It's brilliant. I can say that with ease, because the chapter is all about appreciating your own talents.

Life is good.

Do what you love. Love what you do. 

#Creativity Tips: Five Ways to Smash Writer's Block

Never, never, never, never, never. Well, almost never. That's how often I have writer's block when it comes to client copy. I'm a professional writer; I can't wait for inspiration to hit -- deadlines hit on a daily basis. This is a good thing. But ....

This week, I've been struggling to finish my book proposal. We're down to the final version. My agent wants two more sample chapters and a few minor edits. No problem, right?

Well, the first additional chapter was easy to write. The edits were easy to make. And then, AIEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Writer's block gone crazy. A chapter that should have taken two hours to write took two days. And I'm still not ready to say it's done.

Since my mom says everything happens for the best, I went looking for a silver lining. And I found one! The experience did remind me of these five tips for smashing writer's block:

1. "Please move away from the scene of the accident. There's nothing to see, folks. Nothing to see." Get up. Leave the computer, the tablet, the notebook, whatever you're writing on or in and walk away. Inspiration is like love; it shows up when you're not looking for it.
   
2. Do something that forces you to think of other things. I like to go for a drive. I have to focus on my driving, because I have no innate sense of direction. Don't believe me? Ask mybestfriendinthewholeworldsincefourthgrade Lynn.
   
3. If you, like me, have words on the page but you're pretty sure they stink, look again. Is the lead hidden in paragraph four? First paragraphs are often triggers -- necessary to get going, but then you need to pull them. Do it. Cut your copy. (I was going to use Pull the Trigger as the headline for this post. Given the current state of the world, I decided against that.)
   
4. Get physical. Your brain may not be working the way you'd like, but there's that beautiful body of yours! Use it.
   
5. Stop beating yourself up. We can't be brilliant 24/7. Have faith. The words you're searching for will find you.

From my free e-book. Enjoy!

#Creativity Exercise: Write a starry night

Annie Weatherwax (is that a great name, or what?) wrote this terrific post for the Ploughshares blog on why writers should draw. Or paint. Among the many fabulous phrases/ideas in her post, this was my favorite:

"Why not, as a writer, strive to paint a sky as vivid and memorable as Van Gogh’s Starry Night. And why not aim to paint your whole world this way?"

It's the perfect question. Why not? Read her post. Then, go paint.

Creativity Tips: The Dirty Dish Dilemma

There's a classic holiday lyric: Do you hear what I hear? I can answer the question. No. You don't. You don't hear what I hear, you don't see what I see, you don't know what I know.

Given that, it's amazing we communicate at all. But, we do! And we can always do it better. One of the tricks is staying aware of both what we're saying, and what our listener may be hearing. And that requires getting out of the, "It's all about me" zone for a bit. Always a challenge.

Let me give you an example -- the situation that prompted this post. As you read this, keep in mind that Tom and I have been married almost 31 years and together 38 years.

Jan (seeing dirty dishes in the sink): The dishes in the dishwasher are dirty.
Tom (on the couch, reading the newspaper): OK.
Jan rinses his dirty dishes and puts them in the dishwasher. 

Later in the day ...
Jan (seeing more dirty dishes in the sink): The dishes in the dishwasher are dirty.
Tom (on the computer): OK.
Jan rinses his dirty dishes and puts them in the dishwasher.

Still later in the day ... 

Jan (finally realizing he doesn't get it): Honey, when I say, "The dishes in the dishwasher are dirty," what I'm really saying is, "Please put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Don't leave them in the sink."*

Tom (finally realizing why she kept announcing the dishwasher situation): OK. 

If your message isn't getting through, change the message. 

*Fine. Every woman reading this knows that what I'm really saying is, "What the hell? Why can't you put the dishes in the dishwasher? Do you think there's a dishwasher fairy who does it?" But that's the kind of message that never resonates. Trust me. I have learned something in the past 38 years ...

What's Your Story?

We're all writing our own stories. 
Every day. Every week.
What will your story be?

Friday Fun: The voters have spoken ...

According to a recent USA Today story, 13% of us (oooh, a scary number) think the meteor is sounding better and better.

And so it goes. Happy weekend, my friends! While you're relaxing, please come up with a plan to save the world.

Fabulous Phrases: Mr. Rogers

While doing some research for my creativity book, I found this terrific quote. Thought I'd share now, rather than making you wait:

The older I get, the more convinced I am that 

the space between communicating human beings 

can be hallowed ground.

-- Mr. Rogers 

Here's to hallowed ground, so often found in unexpected places.  

Creativity Tips: DIY Souvenir

My sister Eva, a championship bowler, invited me to go with her to Las Vegas recently for the national competition. She bowls. I cheer. It's a good approach. And, when we weren't bowling and cheering, we were ... well, it's Vegas. We were playing and eating and drinking. Free drinks. God bless those cocktail waitresses.

To remember the trip, I made this quick souvenir -- and thought you might like to try it on your next vacation. Take your hotel room key, attach press-on magnet strips on the back and voila! Instant DIY souvenir. Enjoy! And buy something to read with the $5 you save on the magnet ...

#Creativity Tips: Redefine Success

OK! It's a bright, new beautiful day. Bright, new beautiful month! Perfect time to consider how you define success.

From GoComics, the perfect start to a day. 

Go fish. Go play. Go pet a pup. Here's to a great weekend!