Category: writing life

creativity begets creativity…

Something I’ve noticed over the years is that the more I create, the more I create.

It’s true that there are cycles of creativity, and sometimes it seems to flow abundantly and sometimes it slows to a point that makes me wonder if it’ll turn back on. But all the same, it seems to be true that the more often and more consistently I write or paint, the more likely it is that I will continue to write or paint, and the more of it I’ll do. Even with the ebbs and flows, and the stalls and starts, the overall trajectory is that creating leads to more creating.

For me, this is the case with writing as I continue to slowly and gradually work on the sequel to New Life in New Melody.

And it is the case with painting and doodling and art journaling as I continue with my personal at-home summer art retreat.

Big blocks of time aren’t necessary to engage in some creativity – even brief bits of time work really, really well.

The thing is to do it. To create for its own sake…and for our own sake.

And if your experience is similar to mine, you might find that the more you create, the more you create.

♥

a basic writing prompt…

There are gobs of writing prompts out there.

To be honest, I don’t use writing prompts on a regular basis – and sometimes I don’t even think to turn to them. But there have been times during my writing life when prompts have been a big help. And there’s a special place in my heart for them because back in the very early 90s, when I had my first short story sale (to a children’s magazine – I was so excited to sell a story!!) that story I wrote came into being because of a writing prompt I found and followed in one of the many writing-related books I read.

Even though I’m not a big writing-prompt-user, there’s one prompt in particular that I turn to when I’m feeling blocked. It can help when I’m feeling stuck about what overall writing project to work on, and it can help when I’m feeling stuck about an individual scene.

It’s a very basic question – but it requires me to pay attention and listen to what comes to me.

The question is: What do I want to write?

It might seem like this is a useless prompt. After all, if I knew what to write, if I knew what I wanted to write, why would I even need a prompt to begin with?

But actually asking myself the question – putting it into words for myself and then paying attention to what immediately comes to my mind – can help me gain clarity and direction.

Not overthinking it. Not tensing up or putting up walls.

Just taking a breath and asking the question and then listening. Paying attention to the first answer that comes. Sometimes the first answer isn’t the answer, but often it is – or can lead to finding the ultimate answer.

This is an intuitive approach. But when I can get out of my own way, it can work.

Asking. Listening. Paying attention.

And then writing.

What do you want to write?

What do you WANT to write?

❤

writing on the journey…

When I made the move from a different site to this blog several years ago, I knew I wanted a phrase or tagline that tried to capture a sort of overall theme of what I share here. After playing with a couple of ideas, I settled on writing on the journey.

The phrase continues to be one that reflects what I do.

The dictionary gives the definition of journey as “the act of traveling from one place to another.” And whether I’m writing a blog post, a journal entry, or even including a word or phrase on one of my paintings or art journaling pages, I am writing about the journey through this life. I’m writing about the challenges and the joys. I’m writing about the things that help me along the way and, I hope, offering some encouragement for others.

There has also been another aspect to this phrase for me, though.

It’s also about the writing journey.

I believe connecting to your creativity is an incredibly important aspect of life – and there are many, many ways to express your creativity.

Painting and writing are my main creative outlets, and I share about those most often. Those are the creative activities that light me up the most and make me feel more me. A day doesn’t seem complete unless I’ve held a brush in my hand and moved paint around a canvas or page for at least a few strokes. I’ve talked often about how painting calms me even when nothing else helps.

But as much as I love painting, it was writing that was my first love and it’s writing that’s been a through-line of my life. I didn’t even allow myself to try to paint until far (far!) into adulthood, but writing was with me as soon as I could hold a fat marker to form letters and words.

So…my writing journey is part of what I share here. And that includes sharing things that I hope will be helpful or encouraging for you if you’re on a writing journey of your own.

After all, a writing journey (or any creative journey) is part of the journey of life.

❤