A to Z Challenge - I is for Imagination

Sometimes we get into a rut and the dreaded writer’s block sets in. 

Try adding some spice to your writing life by using your imagination to stimulate creativity...

Play backgammon. Go outside. Sing in the shower.

Add one ritual behavior to your writing programme. Get a glass of water exactly every 20 minutes. When you are drafting, treat yourself to a piece of chocolate after every fifth paragraph.

Mindmap. Whether you use key words, images, colors, a hierarchy system, numbers, outlines, circles or random words, mindmapping gets your creative juices flowing.

Write down a list of ideas and draw random arrows between them.

Work on a story title. Quickly make up 3 distinctly different titles. Meditate on them. What bugs you about the one you like least?

Awaken your sense of wonder. Take yourself on some small festive adventure.

Flip through a book containing thought provoking images.

Volunteer. Getting your hands dirty for a good cause can be the source of more inspiration than you’d ever imagine.

Read wildly different things. Especially stuff you disagree with.

Do you have any other imaginative points to add?

A to Z Challenge - Writing Inspiration - Help

Writing is often a solitary job. We’re focused on our own little world and think we have to do it all. But we don’t; we just have to ask for help.

Help with critiquing our manuscripts.

Help with learning about the publishing industry.

Help with promotions and marketing.

All we need to do is ask for help!

A to Z Challenge - G is for

G is for goal

*The goal to write, write, write*

You aren't a writer because you like things simple.

You aren't a writer because you love rejections.

You're a writer because no matter how tough it gets, you've got a goal.  The goal to write that book inside your head, the one driving you. Why? Because your goal is what you live for.

Even if your current WIP is tougher to write than you thought, and taking a lot longer to finish than you expected, you and I both know, you were born to write. It's why you feel most alive when you're writing. 

Sure you love your family and friends. But you're a writer, and as a writer, you don't have to explain to the rest of us (writers) what writing feels like. You don't have to explain how painful that last rejection letter was. Or that 2 star review. All you have to do is keeping working on your goal. 

Write.

The stuff life throws at you in between is what Insecure Writer's Support Group on the first Wednesday of every month is for.

Happy Writing!