Thursday, January 25, 2018

Explore Your Idea Environment

In the spirit of all the posts and comments I have read recently about ideas being everywhere (which is absolutely true), I thought I'd share this quote.

     "Every person that you meet knows something you don't; learn from them."  H. Jackson Brown, Jr.




Well, hello? It stands to reason that if ideas are everywhere, the people around us are surely part of that equation. I work with children and always keep my ears open for story ideas as, so the saying goes, "out of the mouths of babes..."  So often, however, I find myself looking at things for ideas--the shape of the clouds in the sky, the beautiful sunrise or sunset, the antics of animals, the sounds in the environment, etc. There are so many unexplored ideas and story possibilities in those we encounter each and every day not to mention the new information gained to shelve away in our brains for future use just by listening and participating actively in communicative exchanges. I am going to do a better job of being open to really hearing those ideas and new information when going about my daily activities and communicating with others and see where it may lead. It will certainly broaden my horizons, so my mother used to say.

So, pay no attention if you finish up a conversation with me and turn to wave good-bye only to see me typing frantically on my phone or scribbling away in my notebook.  I'm just jotting down any thoughts as you go:)

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Flex Your Muscle


Thank you, Tara Lazar, for sharing this quote by Jess Keating. I LOVE it!

I think as writers, we have the tendency to sit and wait for that aha moment, the ever-fleeting muse or big idea to strike before sitting down to write in earnest.  At least, I know I often do. I may do writing-related tasks like research or jot down ideas, but I am often slower to just dive in and write initially and wait for that big thunderbolt of an idea to germinate more fully.

This quote really spoke to me as I love the idea of inspiration being a muscle...and one I must flex and work often, even when not feeling like it or when motivation is slow to strike. I frequently don't feel like lacing up my shoes and hopping on the treadmill, but I do.  Because it is good for me and my mental and physical health and well-being.  So why should writing inspiration be any different? It is definitely good for me mentally to write...physically may be another story with all the butt in chair and chocolate required:)

I aim to be better about flexing my inspiration muscle throughout this new year...consistently and often and not just sit back and wait for my muse to strike.  I will search her out and conquer! I hope you do the same. If inclined, please do share how you go about flexing your inspiration muscle.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Storystorm Start


And so it begins...

Happy creating for all those participating in Storystorm this year. I am excited to explore this month of ideas. How many of you will be story storming as well?