Showing posts with label Writer's Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writer's Inspiration. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Writer's Inspiration for #NaNoWriMo - Part 4
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Writer's Inspiration for #NaNoWriMo - Part 2
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Writer's Inspiration for #NaNoWriMo - Part 1
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Wednesday, February 7, 2018
10 Entrepreneur Quotes to Motivate and Inspire Writers
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“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” Steve Jobs
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo
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"Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." Robert Louis Stevenson
“Done is better than perfect.” Sheryl Sandberg
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” Albert Einstein
"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced." Vincent Van Gogh
“The price of inaction is far greater than then cost of a mistake.” Meg Whitman
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"I would rather die of passion than of boredom." Vincent van Gogh
“Waiting for perfect is never as smart as making progress.” Seth Godin
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." Walt Disney
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
8 Ways Writers Can Keep Their Health in Balance
Unfortunately, being a writer isn’t a physically-challenging profession; therefore, it can be easy to neglect our health. And if our health is out of whack, then how can we produce our best works?
Working in the writing/publishing industry is often demanding and requires several hours behind the screen per day. When I don't take care of myself, this is often reflected in my writing. My words will become stagnant. My brain becomes groggy. My energy becomes low. My back becomes stiff. And when I don't take care of myself, discouragement is more prone to settle in and cause me to doubt myself. The passion for writing fades when I make it a bigger priority than my physical and mental health.
When this happens, I have to take a step back and evaluate where I stand. In order to be a proficient writer, then every area of my health has to be in balance 24/7—yes, even on a deadline. (In fact, I especially need my body and mind in top shape on those deadline-days!)
If you’ve noticed a decline in the quality of your writing, perhaps it’s time to evaluate your health as well. Here are eight ways writers can keep their health in balance:
1) Put God first.
I have to make sure He remains my #1 priority throughout the day, even if this means cutting back on my daily word count so I can have my quiet time with Jesus. I’ve noticed that, when I do put Him first, then the words and ideas often flow easier. I also become reminded that my writing gift was given to me by Him; therefore, it’s not mine to take credit for. When I put God first, I show Him that I love Him far beyond this gift He’s given me.
2) Incorporate exercise into your daily routine.
Confession: I’ve only been to the gym about twice in my lifetime—and that was back when I was a teen. It’s simply not my style, and I’d much prefer to be enthusiastic about my daily exercise. I also like to change it up every now and then. One day, I might do Pilates and cardio; the next day, I might go for a swim (in the summer, of course); the next day, I might take a walk in the park with my dog. I've also recently joined a weekly dance class so I can incorporate more physical activity into my schedule. Partaking in a daily stretch, such as Yoga, is especially wise for those who have sedentary professions.
Exercise stimulates creativity and releases endorphins. I’ve noticed that, when I’m on a strict deadline, that’s when I’m desperate to keep a regular exercise schedule. My brain literally craves the release that comes through physical exercise, and my back can’t go for too long without needing a stretch.
3) Get some fresh air.
I love that these top three tips can be combined into one. When we take a walk outside, we can also talk with God, get our daily exercise, and breathe in fresh air. Also, it’s not physically healthy to go a long time without being exposed to sunlight. Sure, we can take vitamin D supplements, but nothing compares to receiving it from its true source. When I come across a writer's block, taking a walk outdoors is often the very think I need to get my creative juices flowing again.
4) Eat healthy.
Did you know that the food we eat can directly affect our mood and energy? When we eat a meal that lacks nutrients and is loaded with sugar, then we’re more likely to feel sluggish and eventually crash. On the other hand, when our diets are balanced—and we incorporate veggies and fruits into almost every meal—then we're not likely to feel as bloated. We tend to think more clearly when choose clean foods. (Trust me: It’s nearly impossible to write wen your brain doesn’t seem to be cooperating!)
5) Reward yourself and take a break.
If we want to take care of ourselves, then it’s important that we don’t over-work ourselves. As a workaholic, it can be tempting to keep plugging away at work and knocking items off my to-do list. I have to intentionally block out a certain amount of time per day for a break. For me, this break typically comes in the form of reading a book. ;)
6) Find another creative outlet.
Writing for hours on end can become draining. There have been times when I’ve pushed myself so much that the words just won’t come. My vision becomes bury from staring at the computer screen. When this happens, it’s nice to take a break and lose myself in another creative outlet, one that doesn’t require as much mental energy. This creative outlet for me involves painting or sketching. When I do this, I find myself more creative and refreshed when I do return to my writing.
7) Socialize and live life.
Writing can be a solitary career; however, we weren’t called to live this life on our own. We can’t remain locked up in our cave and simply write about life without ever experiencing it for ourselves. Make sure to take time to socialize and live life. Find a writer’s group so you can connect with likeminded individuals. If you don’t have writer friends who live nearby, schedule video calls with them. Join a Bible study at you’re church. Grab coffee with your family and friends. Remember: Even when you’re not writing, you can still make progress in your craft simply by experiencing new things and meeting new people—both of which can serve as inspiration for your writing.
8) Get enough sleep.
This one’s a little tough for me to follow at times. I love staying up late—but I don’t like to sleep in on a workday. Because of this, I’ve had to set a bed time for myself to make sure I get at least seven or eight hours of sleep every night. When we lack sleep, then our creativity becomes blocked. I’ve noticed that, when I try to cut hours of my sleep in effort to get more accomplished, the opposite happens: I become less productive. My brain just “isn’t all there”, if you know what I mean. ;)
Conclusion:
You might notice that taking care of our health requires a little less time away from our work. But as we grow in our mental and physical health, our brains (and bodies) will thank us. It'll become apparent that we take care of ourselves by the quality of our work, as well as the fruit that results from our productive work hours. Besides, I'd much prefer to live a happy and healthy life—even if it means having to sacrifice the number of books I write per year.
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Working in the writing/publishing industry is often demanding and requires several hours behind the screen per day. When I don't take care of myself, this is often reflected in my writing. My words will become stagnant. My brain becomes groggy. My energy becomes low. My back becomes stiff. And when I don't take care of myself, discouragement is more prone to settle in and cause me to doubt myself. The passion for writing fades when I make it a bigger priority than my physical and mental health.
When this happens, I have to take a step back and evaluate where I stand. In order to be a proficient writer, then every area of my health has to be in balance 24/7—yes, even on a deadline. (In fact, I especially need my body and mind in top shape on those deadline-days!)
If you’ve noticed a decline in the quality of your writing, perhaps it’s time to evaluate your health as well. Here are eight ways writers can keep their health in balance:
1) Put God first.
I have to make sure He remains my #1 priority throughout the day, even if this means cutting back on my daily word count so I can have my quiet time with Jesus. I’ve noticed that, when I do put Him first, then the words and ideas often flow easier. I also become reminded that my writing gift was given to me by Him; therefore, it’s not mine to take credit for. When I put God first, I show Him that I love Him far beyond this gift He’s given me.
2) Incorporate exercise into your daily routine.
Confession: I’ve only been to the gym about twice in my lifetime—and that was back when I was a teen. It’s simply not my style, and I’d much prefer to be enthusiastic about my daily exercise. I also like to change it up every now and then. One day, I might do Pilates and cardio; the next day, I might go for a swim (in the summer, of course); the next day, I might take a walk in the park with my dog. I've also recently joined a weekly dance class so I can incorporate more physical activity into my schedule. Partaking in a daily stretch, such as Yoga, is especially wise for those who have sedentary professions.
Exercise stimulates creativity and releases endorphins. I’ve noticed that, when I’m on a strict deadline, that’s when I’m desperate to keep a regular exercise schedule. My brain literally craves the release that comes through physical exercise, and my back can’t go for too long without needing a stretch.
3) Get some fresh air.
I love that these top three tips can be combined into one. When we take a walk outside, we can also talk with God, get our daily exercise, and breathe in fresh air. Also, it’s not physically healthy to go a long time without being exposed to sunlight. Sure, we can take vitamin D supplements, but nothing compares to receiving it from its true source. When I come across a writer's block, taking a walk outdoors is often the very think I need to get my creative juices flowing again.
4) Eat healthy.
Did you know that the food we eat can directly affect our mood and energy? When we eat a meal that lacks nutrients and is loaded with sugar, then we’re more likely to feel sluggish and eventually crash. On the other hand, when our diets are balanced—and we incorporate veggies and fruits into almost every meal—then we're not likely to feel as bloated. We tend to think more clearly when choose clean foods. (Trust me: It’s nearly impossible to write wen your brain doesn’t seem to be cooperating!)
5) Reward yourself and take a break.
If we want to take care of ourselves, then it’s important that we don’t over-work ourselves. As a workaholic, it can be tempting to keep plugging away at work and knocking items off my to-do list. I have to intentionally block out a certain amount of time per day for a break. For me, this break typically comes in the form of reading a book. ;)
6) Find another creative outlet.
Writing for hours on end can become draining. There have been times when I’ve pushed myself so much that the words just won’t come. My vision becomes bury from staring at the computer screen. When this happens, it’s nice to take a break and lose myself in another creative outlet, one that doesn’t require as much mental energy. This creative outlet for me involves painting or sketching. When I do this, I find myself more creative and refreshed when I do return to my writing.
7) Socialize and live life.
Writing can be a solitary career; however, we weren’t called to live this life on our own. We can’t remain locked up in our cave and simply write about life without ever experiencing it for ourselves. Make sure to take time to socialize and live life. Find a writer’s group so you can connect with likeminded individuals. If you don’t have writer friends who live nearby, schedule video calls with them. Join a Bible study at you’re church. Grab coffee with your family and friends. Remember: Even when you’re not writing, you can still make progress in your craft simply by experiencing new things and meeting new people—both of which can serve as inspiration for your writing.
8) Get enough sleep.
This one’s a little tough for me to follow at times. I love staying up late—but I don’t like to sleep in on a workday. Because of this, I’ve had to set a bed time for myself to make sure I get at least seven or eight hours of sleep every night. When we lack sleep, then our creativity becomes blocked. I’ve noticed that, when I try to cut hours of my sleep in effort to get more accomplished, the opposite happens: I become less productive. My brain just “isn’t all there”, if you know what I mean. ;)
Conclusion:
You might notice that taking care of our health requires a little less time away from our work. But as we grow in our mental and physical health, our brains (and bodies) will thank us. It'll become apparent that we take care of ourselves by the quality of our work, as well as the fruit that results from our productive work hours. Besides, I'd much prefer to live a happy and healthy life—even if it means having to sacrifice the number of books I write per year.
How do you keep your health in balance? Is there anything on this list that you could incorporate more of into your daily routine?
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Writer's Inspiration
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Writer's Inspiration for the Christian Novelist
Writing is a calling for me. Storytelling is something God gifted me to do. I didn't set out to be a writer. It's just that I'm wired to tell stories and once I started, well . . . all this publishing stuff sort of happened. If I never was offered another book contract, I'd still be telling stories. If I end up in a rest home, I'm sure I'll be sitting in my rocking chair telling stories. I actually believe that when I get to heaven I'll be hanging out telling stories. That is what my soul loves to do as an act of worship. I love to give back to the Father that which He so lavishly poured out on me. Robin Jones Gunn
Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them. Nathaniel Hawthorne
I want to see Christian fiction speak to the hard and real issues that tear people’s lives apart. We need writers who are willing to ask the hard questions and go through the soul-searching and agonizing to find answers – and present these stories with skill that surpasses the general market. Some of the greatest works or art and literature were rendered by Christians. I believe God is at work in these areas now. Francine Rivers
He is at work on your behalf, not to make you a best-seller, but to make you the best tool for His work. As much as we’d like to think this whole gig is about selling books, it’s not. It’s about obedience. About writing, because that’s the task He’s given us. It’s about seeking to serve Him and others through the gifts He’s given us. Karen Ball
As long as we are above board, honest, and steadfast in presenting the truth to our readers, our words will be honored. When we set forth the truth plainly and simply through the example of human circumstances and how God works in the lives of everyone, we are leading our readers to a deeper, closer understanding of who Jesus is. Author Unknown
Write what you need to read. Write from your heart and write truth. Sometimes it hurts to peel away the layers of self-deception and see ourselves in the mirror, but it will also draw us closer to Jesus. And your work may minister to others struggling with the same issues. Francine Rivers
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Don't Wait for Inspiration to Strike: Good or Bad Advice?
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I'm sure you've heard it before: Professional writers don't wait for inspiration to strike in order to work. They discipline themselves. Force themselves to write, even when they come across a writer's block.
But what if the inspiration well is completely dried out? What happens when our lack of passion reflects in our story?
Although I do agree that professional writers should treat writing as a job rather than a hobby, I believe it's equally important that we do not lose our inspiration or passion. Yes, we need to discipline ourselves to write every day -- and every day, our inspiration well should be filled and ready to be poured into our writing.
But if it's not -- if the words refuse to come and we can't seem to grasp the passion we once had for the story -- it's OK to take a break. To close the laptop and participate in activities that will reignite your writing passion once again.
Personally, I've greatly benefited from this. Going into this new year, I was determined to write a fast draft of the sequel to Purple Moon. Determined to have it completed within only a couple of months.
But as I began to write, I felt as though I were swimming against a current, and it took every bit of my energy to write just a little every day. My writing sessions profited little. Fears about not meeting readers' expectations paralyzed my fingers and numbed my passion. I continued to try to push through as I've always been told -- but why force myself to write a story when the inspiration is lacking?
So, I allowed myself to step away from the story for a few days. I spent that time immersed in activities that filled my creativity tank and reignited my passion. Not only that, but I also listened to the sequel's soundtrack, added photos to its Pinterest board, and reminded myself of why I love Selena's story and why it must be told.
By the time I went back to writing, I was ready to pour this reignited passion into my book, which resulted in far more productive writing sessions.
If you, too, are going through a dry season, I highly recommend that you step away from your manuscript for a few days. Remind yourself of why you fell in love with this story to begin with. Make a soundtrack and storyboard for your novel.
Then, write a list of "dates" you can take with your artist self -- a list of activities that will fill your inspiration well once again and tear down your writer's block.
Here's my go-to list for overcoming a writer's block:
- Spend time with my Creator.
- Go to Books-a-Million. Buy a book and a mocha from Joe Muggs. {I personally love Joe Mugg's mocha far more than Starbucks!}
- Read physical books. {Recently, I've been immersed in A Well Spring Series by Jim Rubart.}
- Listen to a variety of music, including your WIP's soundtrack.
- Scroll through Pinterest and Tumblr.
- Go to an art museum. {Art, photography, and music always have the power to fill my creativity tank and inspire me to write again. In fact, the story of Purple Moon was birthed through a photograph and a song by Tenth Avenue North.}
- Write in your journal.
- Read previous journal entries.
- Make lattes.
- Make art journals.
- Color in a coloring book.
- Doodle.
- Take a walk.
- Do pilates.
- Watch a movie.
You know what's funny?
I don't remember writing Purple Moon. Honestly. Writing the first draft took up probably 10% of the amount of time I invested in that book. And the reason I didn't come across a writer's block was because I wasn't writing for an audience; I was writing for myself. I was writing because I was filled with inspiration, had a passion for the story, and knew it needed for it to be told -- not because I was forcing myself to write.
From now on, I'm going to give myself permission to take a break when necessary. I don't want my stories to be written with an "I don't want to do this but I'm forcing myself to anyway" attitude. I believe my books will be far more powerful if they are written not just out of "duty", but out of passion -- just like I did with Purple Moon.
So here's my advice to you:
Write like an artist who is in love with their work. Edit like a professional who has studied the craft and wants to shape their book into one that their readers will enjoy as well.
Remember: While it is important to stay disciplined in your writing, your story will come across as boring if you remained bored with it as well. Drawing from an empty well is exhausting. Stay refueled. Stay inspired. And most importantly: Write not for publication, but because of passion.
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Don't Wait for Inspiration to Strike: Good or Bad Advice?
Can Taking a Break From Your Writing Reignite Your Passion?
Don't Wait for Inspiration to Strike: Good or Bad Advice?
Can Taking a Break From Your Writing Reignite Your Passion?
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Do you have an inspiration list? If not, what are activities you could add? Does taking a break help or hinder your writing progression?
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Writer's Inspiration for NaNoWriMo
Face it: Writing a 50,000 words within a month isn't easy. There might come a time when you've hit a writer's block, or times when you just feel drained. As if it takes every bit of effort just to open that Microsoft Word document.
But sometimes, all we need is a little dose of inspiration to stir our passion and get us back to typing again. And what better way to do that than to remember all the reasons why we love to write?
But sometimes, all we need is a little dose of inspiration to stir our passion and get us back to typing again. And what better way to do that than to remember all the reasons why we love to write?
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"The beautiful part of writing
is that you don’t have to get it right the first time,
unlike, say, a brain surgeon."
is that you don’t have to get it right the first time,
unlike, say, a brain surgeon."
~Robert Cormier
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"If you stuff yourself full of poems, essays, plays, stories,
novels, films, comic strips, magazines, music,
you automatically explode every morning like Old Faithful.
I have never had a dry spell in my life,
mainly because I feed myself well, to the point of bursting.
I wake early and hear my morning voices
leaping around in my head like jumping beans.
I get out of bed quickly,
to trap them before they escape."
novels, films, comic strips, magazines, music,
you automatically explode every morning like Old Faithful.
I have never had a dry spell in my life,
mainly because I feed myself well, to the point of bursting.
I wake early and hear my morning voices
leaping around in my head like jumping beans.
I get out of bed quickly,
to trap them before they escape."
~Ray Bradbury
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"Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile
initially scared me to death."
initially scared me to death."
~Betty Bender
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“Don't worry about what you're writing
or whether it's good
or even whether it makes sense.”
or whether it's good
or even whether it makes sense.”
~Lauren Oliver
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"Writing is a form of therapy;
sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint
can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic fear
which is inherent in a human situation."
sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint
can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic fear
which is inherent in a human situation."
~Graham Greene
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"And by the way,
everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it,
and the imagination to improvise.
The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt."
everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it,
and the imagination to improvise.
The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt."
~Sylvia Plath
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"The trick to writer's block is to sack up and write through it, you see."
~Jeph Jacques
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"All worthy work is open to interpretations
the author did not intend.
Art isn't your pet--it's your kid.
It grows up and talks back to you."
the author did not intend.
Art isn't your pet--it's your kid.
It grows up and talks back to you."
~Joss Whedon
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"Writing is a job, a talent,
but it's also the place to go in your head.
It is the imaginary friend you drink your tea with in the afternoon."
but it's also the place to go in your head.
It is the imaginary friend you drink your tea with in the afternoon."
~Ann Patchet
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"Every first draft is perfect,
because all a first draft has to do is exist."
because all a first draft has to do is exist."
~Jane Smiley
~ ~ ~
Which of the above quotes is your favorite? Do you have certain writing quotes that you keep on hand during NaNoWriMo?
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