Consistency is key when it comes to writing. Probably anything worth doing.
Set aside dedicated time each day or week to write. Explore different topics, experiment with different styles, and allow yourself to make mistakes.
The more you write, the more you will understand what works for you and what doesn’t. It’s about the process of trial and error. And it will ultimately lead you to becoming a better writer (or whatever it is you’re trying to become).
The ability to come up with ideas and successfully implement them is a valuable skill. It’s useful anywhere. If you’re an entrepreneur, an artist or creative, or simply someone looking to make a difference.
The process of turning ideas into reality holds immense potential.
And regardless of the type, it all starts with nurturing your individual creativity. Create an environment that fosters inspiration. I prefer the messy desk…
But, each person is different. This could involve surrounding yourself with people who have differing perspectives. Maybe you like sports, or engaging in stimulating activities – not just physical, but mental. The museum, or a show.
And of course, allocating time for solitude and reflection. Be curious and seek out new experiences. Fill your well, and you can fuel your imagination and generate a multitude of ideas.
If I’m being completely honest, I’ve read one book this year. Already it’s August. And I’ve only read one. Quention Tarantino’s Cinema Speculation. Now, I had every intent on reading more. The list of started books incude:
And likely a few others that I just can’t recall at this moment. I fully intend to complete all of these books. But getting there, well, that’s a challenge, isn’t it.
Of course, you make time for what’s important to you. And if reading is important to me, I’ll make time for it. Like I’ve made time for writing, and exercise, and speaking with friends and family, and a number of other things that I value.
So, sometime in the near future, I’ll have more updates on books and reading and the like. Just not today.
I was reticent to begin blogging again after so long away. Like, two months away. And each day made the return to writing these posts even more daunting.
But you know what? It’s been great! I’m able to block out some time and type away. That’s really what I wanted in the first place. Just to be able to sit and write. Why was it so scary, looking over at this writing desk as if it were a dragon…
And we all have dragons. Those things that keep us from doing what it is we want to do. The fear that prevents us from living our best lives.
Up close, though – those scary things? They may turn out to be not scary at all.
“Write relentlessly, until you find your voice. Then, use it.”
– David Sedaris
Finding your voice as a writer is a transformative journey that allows you to unleash your unique artistic expression. According to Picasso, “All children are born artists. The problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.”
And in freeing the voice, it becomes a process of self-discovery and honing your writing style to reflect your authentic self. The self we knew as a child, yet forgot along the way.
Whether you are an aspiring writer or a seasoned wordsmith, seeking and developing your voice is crucial in establishing your identity as a writer (or any other act of creative expression).
It’s a trite saying that “the only thing constant is change”. Apparently written by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, the book that contained this phrase was lost to history and exists only in fragments.
And each day brings us a reminder that, no matter how much stays similar, things are changing. The times, Dylan sang, they are a-changin’. And it’s something that each of us should learn to cope with.
It does us little good to cling hopelessly to how things were. The best course is forward, and we all have to figure it out along the way.
it’s common now for much of our lives to be spent in increasingly sedentary ways, with most of us spending a significant amount of time indoors. While this may be necessary for work or other commitments, it’s crucial to remember the importance of getting enough sunlight.
Sunlight is not only a natural source of light but also a vital component of our overall well-being. Have you ever noticed how a sunny day instantly lifts your spirits? Sunlight has a direct impact on our mood due to its ability to stimulate the production of serotonin, a hormone that regulates our mood and promotes feelings of happiness and well-being.
Regular exposure to sunlight can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. So if you’re feeling antsy, get out and take a walk.
There’s a lot to be said for keeping organized. A clean working environment makes getting to work a joy.
Also, it could be that a messy area fosters creativity, so maybe there’s something to be said for having a little creative clutter lying around as well.
Separate from the blog, I write every morning. I tend to use a Moleskine XL (7.5″ x 9.5″) hardcover ruled notebook, though sometimes I deviate. Currently I’m using a budget option, a 320-pager A4 softcover journal that has some heft to it. I have my issues with it, but overall, it serves its purpose.
Since beginning the process of writing these morning pages in November of 2015, I’ve likely filled about thirty notebooks. It should be more, but I’ve gone through bouts of time where I wasn’t doing the pages.
Last year as I was discussing this with someone, I told her that, while I had no intention of getting rid of them anytime soon, I’d likely do what Dickens did and burn them all. He notably burnt “the accumulated letters and papers of twenty years”.
To which, she replied that perhaps my desire to burn these these writings comes from the number of published journals I’ve read, or collected.
To wit, I’ve found myself interested in the private thoughts of creatives and writers. Susan Sontag, Leonard Cohen, Paul Klee, and Vincent Van Gogh, just to name a few.
In fact, it’s not surprising why there are so many published journals out there – when you consider that, before the computer, everyone creating had to store their thoughts somewhere. And journals serve as a repository for ideas and inspiration.
Creative individuals understand that inspiration can strike at any moment, and they use their journals to capture these fleeting thoughts. By jotting down their ideas, they can revisit them later and expand upon them, turning them into fully-formed concepts for their creative projects.
Not that the computer can’t be effective for that – or your phone, even. But with our devices, we do tend to get mired in the minutiae of everything it can do – and constant notifications pulling our attention away.
I’m reminded of a choreographer I was working with who told me he wrote his entire college dissertation in the notes app on his phone. But I digress…
Creatives often use journals as a form of self-expression and reflection. By putting their thoughts on paper, they can better understand their emotions, challenges, and triumphs. The writing provides a safe space where creatives can explore their innermost thoughts, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their creative process.
They also serve as a reservoir for capturing fleeting moments of inspiration. Understanding the importance of recording ideas as soon as they surface, being inspiration has a tendency to come at any time, often unexpectedly.
That isn’t to say that you can’t train your mind to work inspiration in at given times. I think I’ve mentioned previously the songwriter who would hear melodies while driving the car. This songwriter got to the point where the inspiration had to be controlled, telling it “come back later, when I’m sitting down and in a position to record this, otherwise you’re lost forever.”
And these are the little bits that someone may record in their journal. Something that, years later, perhaps you are I get to read – taking away a couple nuggets of wisdom, to use however we see fit.
Another aid in the quest for inspiration is to look inwards. When we carve out moments of quiet contemplation in our busy lives, while challenging, it can open us up to numerous possibilities.
Disconnect from the constant noise and distractions of the modern world. Whether it’s through meditation, journaling, or simply taking a walk alone, when you embrace the power of solitude, you can tap into the depths of your creativity.
