As January came to a close and February dawned (bringing Spring ever closer, thankfully), I wrapped up my January StoryStorm challenge of 30 ideas in 31 days...I actually jotted 31 ideas in 31 days. Not all are good nor worthy of developing even to the shiXXy rough draft stage, but some I am quite excited about pursuing.
Thank you, Tara Lazar, for your ongoing inspiration and support of children's authors everywhere.
Continuing on with the idea of words and the importance they can carry in this world, I read a chapter today and the words were profound.
I loved Elizabeth Gilbert's EAT, PRAY, LOVE and purchased BIG MAGIC based on all the positive comments I read about it, particularly from a writer perspective. It has been some time since I started it, and I haven't gotten very far. I picked it up today to read a bit as I seem to be struggling on the creativity front as of late.
I am participating in Tara Lazar's StoryStorm this January (30 ideas in 30 days) and have been rock solid at coming up with daily ideas and/or titles but have struggled to really put pen to paper and create anything that would constitute a new rough, even shiXXy, draft. So, in my effort to incite some level of creativity and something new to think and write about, I picked up a few different books to read a some chapters. One in BIG MAGIC spoke to me.
The section was titled Creative Living, Defined. The title alone drew me as, clearly, I am in need of some creative living. It discussed having the "courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you," (hmmm...that is HARD. How does one REALLY get courageous enough to do so?). I am working on it, but it is often easier to stay the course on the safe path and not really push myself for more.
Gilbert says, "The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them. The hunt to uncover those jewels--that's creative living." Gilbert also suggests, "The often surprising results of that hunt--that's what I call Big Magic."
Wow!! I am now even more excited to read this book and see what treasures it brings. I am also newly focused on digging deep and exploring the treasures within to see where they lead.
I would love to hear how you uncover your special jewels and translate them into your writing should you be willing to share.
In the words of a man whose greatest power was perhaps in his words,
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
So, today, as we remember Martin Luther King, Jr., be a champion of peace and love as he was in life and strive to be better, kinder and more compassionate to foster a better world. We owe it to our children, our grandchildren and the generations to come.
StoryStorm is a month long challenge to create 30 story ideas in 30 days supplemented by blog posts by authors, illustrators, editors and publishing professionals for inspiration. It is a great way to kick off the new year and get your creativity flowing. Registration is free and open through the first week of January.
For more info, see Tara's blog at https://taralazar.com/storystorm/.
Happy writing!
Cheers to all!
There is much about our current world which is chaotic and scary. One could debate and discuss a great deal of it from many angles, but that is not my intention in this post. I am merely looking at it from a writer's perspective.
Is your brain as chaotic and addled as mine these days? Trying to put the finishing touches on the holiday plans (such as they are this year), taking care of kids or a spouse, managing life on the work and/or home fronts? I don't know about you, but my writing often gets pushed to the back burner this time of year which typically frustrates the heck out of me. I've been trying to finish up edits on a manuscript I want to submit by the end of December but seem to be shuffling the words and papers more than accomplishing final edits. I've been meaning to post on this blog far more often than the sporadic posts of the past though have not been very successful at that either. I try to keep up with the newsletters and webinar replays that arrive in my inbox though still have a few yet to go.
What I can say I have been far better at in this last month or two (or have tried to be anyway) is spending more time reading (which does help with creativity greatly not to mention comfort) and, most importantly, being more present in the time spent with my kids which does this mama's heart good!
So when I read the cover of this book today, for the first time in a long time, I felt a peace and calm in my writing (or lack thereof) knowing I will hit the road running once again once the holidays are over and the kids have gone back to school/life. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy and appreciate this time for tomorrow is never promised. A very difficult lesson many have learned this year more than any other. And that, my friends, helps me find calm in my chaotic world.
What helps you find calmness and serenity in your lives, whether it be writing or personal? I would love to hear what works for you.
