Wells
of inspiration. We all want to have flowing streams of inspiration, but it can feel
as if we’re battling it out with the muse instead. To keep our well of
inspiration flowing and rich in creativity we need to build a healthy writing
life. What does such a writing life have in it?
A little bit of do-nothing time each day. I don’t
say this lightly. I have a full time job and kids at home. But if you don’t
give yourself time for a daily walk or to sit mindlessly in the bathtub, those subterranean
levels of your mind will lay dormant rather than getting to work on your story.
Organization. Okay, yes, artists are known for being slightly
ADD and collecting dust bunnies. I’m all about that. But to fight the distractions
warring for your mind, you’ve got to keep the rest of your life in some
semblance of order. When you know chaos isn’t at your door, you can be focused
on your fiction. And a schedule doesn’t hurt either. If you know you’re going
to show up to write at the same time each day, your well is coincidentally more
likely to fill up just in time.
A healthy body. True, that’s not always under your control. However, a
writer who avoids processed food, exercises and gets enough rest has better
odds at a healthy mind that is capable of a strong creative flow.
Positive self-talk. This is
so hard. We criticize what we write. We question ourselves. Am I really
publishable? Am I shortchanging my family? Etc. Sit down with yourself the way
you would with a friend. Encourage yourself. Remind yourself why you’re cut out
to be a writer. Dig out the chapter that shone like the stars to remind
yourself how great you are. Be your own best cheerleader. When you’re
confident, your wells can fill up because you’re concentrating on your story,
not your doubts.
Writing Friends. Writing can be a lonely
vocation and we’re odd ducks, so other writers are like soul mates. They encourage
you to keep going, and whether they’re your critique partners or just people
you can chat with about great writing, they’ll sharpen your skills and keep your
wells brimming with new ideas.
Writing Books. You need new techniques to try and
encouragement from veterans, even if you’ve been at the writing life for a long
time.
Joy. Find the beauty. Find what makes you go to bed
with a happy sigh. Find the silver linings even when life is upside down. When
there’s joy in life and in your writing, your mind recognizes that you’re ready
to focus, and opens the springs of creativity.
And you make me proud and joyful when I read articles like this! You "practice what you preach."
ReplyDeleteOh, you're so nice. They're my goals, but goodness knows, I don't always meet them.
DeleteLOL, me neither, but like the little pink bunnies, we keep on going.
ReplyDelete