Category: writing

Need Inspiration To Write? Writers Share 23 Ways…

 

Where does a writer derive the inspiration to write?

That was the question a new writer asked on a public forum. Here I share as experienced veteran writers excitedly chimed in.

Writers Inspiration

  1. The desire to be heard
  2. From within
  3. Life experiences
  4. Prayer
  5. Observations and creativity
  6. From being disciplined
  7. Desire to entertain. Seen housands of movies and read countless books.
  8. Culture
  9. Inserting imagination into current events.
  10. Nature. Walking around the beach, rivers, forests. Observing the moon and the stars
  11. Sitting and watching people walk around
  12. Learning something cool and new
  13. My imagination – lot of times from photos of places and people
  14. The need to share what I know
  15. Jesus Christ
  16. Life experiences – history read
  17. Love, hate inferences. Sit in a pub or hotel and watch. Watch as a woman looks at a man with love or fear. See how children clutch at their parents hands
  18. When a writer is least expecting it. Always be prepared and keep a notebook and pen on hand
  19. Life and in happiness and hardship
  20. Book, people, family, friends. Anything seen, heard, tasted, felt, imagined, think, love. Things that cause joy and things that cause pain
  21. From others out there that you might commiserate with. Write a note in a bottle. Send it out and hold your breath that it will come back to you in time
  22. Get people to tell your their life story
  23. Previous mistakes, perennial failures

Does any of these writers thoughts resonate with you? Is there anything you would like to add? Do share! We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

Writers’ Writing Space To Write…

Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts. 

~ Larry L. King

Where do I write? In a quiet place. A place where I can hear my thoughts, the stirrings of my heart, my soul. I write whenever it hits. I must stop, record, write. If I do not do so immediately…in a flash, it’s gone. So I have learnt to capture the words as they come. Anywhere, anytime, any how.

Writing Tools

The equipment I use for writing is anything (smile). When those inspiring writing moments come, I may grab my cellphone and write in notes. Sometimes, I write on paper if I can grab one quickly. So I keep notepads and notebooks all over. In my car, on my nightstand, the traditional desk, dining table, anywhere. I must capture those inspiring writing moments. Then when I am ready to publish my posts, I use my laptop. Sometimes I start in drafts in the App. But I usually prefer to post on my laptop since it offers the opportunity to edit, tag etc., which I find much easier. Yes, I know this can be done directly in the App but going the laptop route is my preference before publishing.

The Peace, Quiet, Serenity To Write

To write, all I need in a physical space is simply peace, quiet, and absolute serenity. That’s all. It could be in an airplane way up above the clouds, but for some reason it works. I sleep. I awake my mind is fresh, anew, and I write. I Know that serenity can even be found in a crowded space. A train, a plane, a park, an event that I’m allowed to people watch. To see and experience nature amidst the hustle and bustle of people everywhere. The only commonality is that no one can be speaking to me directly (or I won’t hear them or my thoughts (smile). Sounds poetic? Maybe it is. Writing is music to me.

At times we need community since we cannot exist alone. In other cases we simply cannot get the space to write in our own space and must getaway. If you feel that need, then join us in a weekend Getaway for 2 Days To Write Retreat with new and experienced authors. For sure you will find the space to write.

So write on writers!

Cheers!

7 Cities For Writers To Perfect Their Craft…

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The creative creed that exists among writers is electrifying. Writers eat, sleep, and dream writing. Often they seek the space to write to satisfy their longing. Here I share 7 cities for writers for those who wish to slip away to the ideal place to perfect their craft.

  1. San Diego, California 
  2. Portland, Oregan
  3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  4. Boston, Massachusetts
  5. Seattle, Washington
  6. Asheville, North Carolina
  7. Chicago Illinois

Thinking of a shift for a year or two? Consider these cities and well, there’s always New York. They would be ideal. Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

 

 

 

7 Books Every Writer Should Read…

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Readers make writers and writers make readers 
~ Carl McKever

Writers write for many different reasons. Never Meaningless, the reasons are specific to each writer. Naturally writing for ordinary work as in preparing policies, reports, or memos differs from the writing writers do, which often is for their own satisfaction. Some writers write poetry. Some write short stories that ignite passion, joy, or pleasure as in fiction writers. Others write non-fiction sharing their own true stories, those of a loved one, or some about topics they care about as in Success. Whatever your reason for writing it makes sense to read a lot in order to write with finesse that satisfies yourself or your audience.

7 Books To Strengthen Writing

Here are 7 books that will help to strengthen your craft:

  1. Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
  2. Working People Talk About What They do All Day by Studs Terkel
  3. How Fiction Works by James Wood
  4. The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross
  5. Kill All Your Darlings by Luc Sante
  6. On Writing by Stephen King
  7. Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t by Steven Pressfield

Happy Reading!

Cheers!

Writers Share 37 Funny Places To Do Book Signing….

After months, years or a decade of toil, you have finally finished your masterpiece! Yeaaa! Now onto  getting it out to the world. But where? How? Can you do it with a difference? In a writers forum the question was asked…

Where would be some funny places to do a book signing?

Here I share authors’ thoughts as they poured in their tales:

Funny Places For Book Launch

  1. Flea market
  2. The side of the road somewhere
  3. Ihop
  4. Outhouse line at the county fair
  5. Outside an Apple store
  6. 3D Theater
  7. Bluegrass Festival
  8. The Bathroom
  9. Carnival
  10. Chucky Cheese
  11. Beauty Salon
  12. Cemetery
  13. Hospital
  14. In the Bait shop at a local lake
  15. At a sign store
  16. At a winery
  17. Night club
  18. Funeral home
  19. Church
  20. County jail
  21. An organization for the blind
  22. High-end men’s clothing store
  23. McDonald’s
  24. Boxing gym
  25. Liquor store
  26. Laundromat
  27. Planned Parenthood
  28. An internet cafe
  29. A vet for a dog book
  30. At a book burning
  31. The stationary aisle at the local pharmacy
  32. In a kids backyard tree-house
  33. At the end of an obstacle course
  34. Under a mistletoe
  35. Bed, Bath & Beyond
  36. Aquarium
  37. Bowling alley

Yep, some of these are sure funny. But the thing is… it all depends on what your book is about. Your book’s theme can help your choice. For example if it’s about the story of dogs, then why not consider a veterinarian’s office. If it’s about building the perfect home, then Bed, Bath & Beyond will do.

So if you’re an author, go for it! Let your juices flow! Do the non-traditional. You and your guests will walk away with a smile. Any missing? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

Interested In Starting Your Writing Journey? 18 Tips For Beginners…

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Read a lot. Write a lot.

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. ~Sylvia Plath

Tips gleaned from experienced authors to those interested in venturing out on their own writing journey.

  1. Write. Keep writing.
  2. Read a lot so you understand how others do what they do
  3. Learn the craft …that is part of writing
  4. Proofread. Rewrite so it makes sense
  5. Learn the craft. Books, classes, YouTube
  6. Be yourself. Tell the story
  7. Brainstorm writing ideas
  8. It takes a lot of sacrifice
  9. Find online sites that accept free submissions. Publish 800-1200 word articles on a subject that interests you. Write and submit articles to many sites. Once accepted try longer pieces
  10. Don’t let “no thanks” deter you.
  11. Read, read, master the language you want to write in. Read, read and read a bit more
  12. Start writing. Just keep writing. Stand at a bus stop, look at a fence and …write. Sit in a pub, get yourself a drink and write about the next person who walks through the door – not his descript but his life story, his family, his job. Just write
  13. Read the classics and discover why they are rated so highly
  14. If you don’t know what to write or have writers block, use writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing.
  15. Don’t shy away from criticism. Being critiqued doesn’t always feel amazing, but it always makes you a better writer. Every time someone tells you what they think of your manuscript, you get closer to an objective understand of your work, which is invaluable
  16. Don’t worry about perfection when you are writing your first draft. Good writing is re-writing
  17. Believe in yourself.
  18. Never give up.

Solid thoughts of inspiration for those new to the writing craft. Anything missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Whatever Your Dream, Don’t Give Up…

 

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Dreams are illustrations… from the book your soul is writing about you.     

Entrepreneurs know the travails of starting and growing a business. The challenges associated with carrying a business from incubation to reality. It’s no easy task.

Career transitions, college students, and goal seekers all know how difficult it is to carry the burden of studies to get to the finish line. It’s no easy task.

Parents know how difficult it is to bear the burden of the change in lifestyle as a newborn is expected. It’s no easy task.

Let’s not forget authors whose stories became known from a dream, to a thought, to a page, to a book. Published! It’s no easy task.

So it is with whatever we put our minds to. Whatever we decide to do from idea, thought, dream, goal… it is not going to be easy until it becomes a reality. Success involves dreaming; it involves planning; it involves hard work; it involves dedication,  determination, commitment, and most of all resilience. Many are the athletes whose stories have been told of the journey that they had to embark on and overcome. Not only days, months but for many years, athletes stood the test of time to achieve their goal. They were able to achieve because they stuck to their dream.

Today whatever your dream is … don’t give up. Strive, put in the hard work; put in the dedication, put in what needs to be done, and your success is inevitable.. however you define it.

Cheers!

When The Pen Slows: Writers Share What To Do When You Don’t Feel Like Writing…

When the pen slows… writers share what to do when you don’t feel like writing.

  • Write more often
  • Do fun stuff and write for 30 minutes per day
  • Try a different genre
  • Draw a comic
  • Write about something you love without edit
  • Write something short. It’s like riding a bike
  • Prepare several projects and switch between them when you feel the need
  • Think of a reward that would motivate you to write more
  • Read. It will revive your writing appetite
  • Re-read books you found inspirational years ago to bring back lost inspiration
  • Don’t worry. Get some rest and exercise. You will be motivated again
  • Indulge other hobbies
  • Take a holiday
  • Freewrite
  • Read through your work like a reader not a writer
  • Voice record
  • Go with the Flow
  • Don’t beat yourself up

Personally, I suggest you write about what it feels like to not want to write. It will help others. Whatever you do, don’t give up.

Cheers!

Writers Block. Stuck In A Rut. 21 Ways To Overcome…

You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write yourself out of a thinking block. ~John Rogers

Writers block is a common phenomenon among writers. It’s the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing. The question was asked and the list was compiled from advice gleaned from a Book Writers’ forum. The ideas are simple and delightfully thought-provoking. Here I share 21 of the more exhilarating.

  1. Embrace it as gestation
  2. Listen to music
  3. Take a break or work on something else
  4. Go back to what inspired you first
  5. Change your scenery.
  6. Go for a walk
  7. Write something personal
  8. Read. Get motivated. Then go back
  9. Put the pen and paper down.
  10. Leave it alone and the ideas will come home
  11. Ask questions of your stories
  12. Try writing something different
  13. Take a shower. Let the water flow and the ideas will come
  14. Free write. Write about your day. Just write
  15. Ask another writer what they are working on. The change of focus will inspire you
  16. People who succeed as writers write
  17. Take a writing course
  18. Be in a group
  19. Write about writer’s block. Something will inspire
  20. Watch a movie
  21. Get physical. Go to the gym. Break a sweat

Did any of the above resonate? Can you add any? Do share! We would love to hear!

Cheers!