When creative challenges present themselves, what is your first reaction? Embarrassingly, my first reaction in the past has been NO WAY!! Recently, I had an opportunity to write an introspective political essay. A chance to be serious, honest, and dig into myself to uncover deep feelings. My first reaction? NO WAY!!! Yet, something (inspiration? my … [Read more…]
Creating a garden (or even being in one) is wonderful inspiration for writing. Keeping a garden journal is the perfect way to enjoy both. If you are a gardener, you can use your journal to make notes, develop to-do lists, plan your space, keep planting records and include photos of your garden as it begins … [Read more…]
If you’re any kind of artist, in particular, a writer, and put your work “out there” at some point you will face rejection and disappointment. When your he(art) is on the line, writer rejection can be soul-crushing. ~~~ There’s always failure. And there’s always disappointment. And there’s always loss. But the secret is learning from the … [Read more…]
Why write? Choosing to be a writer (or an artist of any kind) is fraught with reasons to quit. Many do—the artist’s way is not an easy road. With the constant critique, rejection, and self-doubt, you would have to be nuts to be a writer. Right? Wrong. “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with … [Read more…]
Looking for a new tool to inspire you? Is your current creative toolbox leaving you wanting? Consider a mind map for writing inspiration. What do Leonardo DaVinci, Mark Twain, and Michelangelo have in common? These geniuses kept notebooks, and in them, they recorded notes, keywords, and ideas, drew sketches, and connected their ideas with branches … [Read more…]