Happy Groundhog Day! - Ways to Get out of Writing Rut

I am a beach girl. I like A (one) good snow every now and then. But by this time in February, I am counting down the days until spring and warmer temperatures. And Punxsutawney Phil never sees things my way. It is like the Bill Murray movie…the same thing over and over…

Consistency is good in your writing life. It helps you stay on track and complete projects, especially if we’re talking about writing goals and daily quotas. But sometimes writers get stuck in a rut. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity and ward off the doldrums.

• Work on another creative project other than writing. Cooking, baking, decorating, painting…They all will exercise the creative side of your brain.

• Exercise, do yoga, or go for a walk. Once you get those endorphins going, you’ll see a new surge of energy.

• Grab your camera and go to places around your town for a photo safari. Use these on your blog and social media to share your adventures.

• Volunteer. There are so many worthy organizations and causes that could use your help. You’ll meet new people, try new things, and give back to your community.

• Schedule a library day and do some research on topics that interest you or would make a great story idea. Give yourself some free time to explore the stacks. You’ll be surprised at what you may find.

• Set aside some time to start a new project. Work on that project that you keep meaning to do, but never get around to.

• Plan some friend-time. Take some time to get away for lunch or coffee and enjoy each other’s company. Writing is often too solitary a sport.

• Make a list of twenty marketing things you’d like to do for your book. No idea is bad in brainstorming. When you’re done, use your list to plan some new activities and ways to promote your writing.

  What would you add to my list?

Time to Recharge - Tips for Authors

Sometimes your day-to-day routine or your writing life gets in a run. You hit a wall, or maybe you just have the blahs. It’s time to recharge. Here are some ideas you may want to give a try…

• Start another creative project (other than writing). Make something or rehab or refurb something. Learn a new craft or a new skill. Creativity comes in a lot of different forms.

• Organize a closet, your desk, or your junk drawer. Putting things in order creates a sense of accomplishment and spruces up your space.

• Volunteer. Many organizations are looking for people to do a variety of tasks. A change of scenery is always good. And giving back is important.

• Go for a walk, hike, or bike ride or start a new exercise routine. It’s good for your health, and the endorphins always stimulate creativity.

• Get out your camera or phone and go on a photo safari. You can always blog about your adventures, share them in your newsletter, or use them as copy for your social media sites.

• Take a class or a course. It’ll spark ideas, and you have the opportunity to learn something new. There are so many few free or low-cost courses.

What I Learned about Creativity from Artist, Noah Scalin

Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to artist, Noah Scalin, talk about creativity. If you have not seen his Old Navy commercial, check it out, along with his art. He is so talented and inspiring.

One day, he started a project that turned into a year-long effort. Each day, he created a different skull, and he used a variety of materials. He posted each one to his blog, and it eventually turned into a book. The project that started off as an exercise to create something for himself, opened up a world of opportunities for him. Here’s what I learned from him about creativity:

• You have to create or cultivate the fertile ground for your efforts. This is your creative foundation.

• Creative bones don’t exist (Many say, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body.”) But you do have creative muscles that you need to stretch and grow.

• You were born with creativity. All kids are creative.

• You need the motivation to keep going.

• Start small. Little ideas aren’t as overwhelming.

• Tiny steps move you forward.

• Your work doesn’t have to be perfect. You can’t get it right every time.

• Fresh opportunities will grow from your efforts.

• Get up and move around.

• Work with your hands.

• Bring others into your projects.

• Pay attention to what’s happening around you.

• Don’t miss opportunities.

• Expand your default settings. (We tend to use the tools/techniques we know.) You need new ways to solve problems.

• Do something creative every day, and you’ll see the world differently.

• You can’t do it alone. You get ideas, dialog, and inspiration from others.

• Inspiration is everywhere. You need to train yourself to recognize it.

• Don’t wait. Get to work.

• You don’t realize all the lives you’re touching.

One of my resolutions this year was to learn new things. I’m going to expand this into creating new things. I’m going to try for one, new thing each month (or there about), and I’ll post my progress.

What creative thing have you done recently?

Serious Play and How It Can Help Creativity

I attended a Leading SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) class this week, and one of the training methods was to demonstrate team facilitation skills and exercises. One was Serious Play with Lego. Check out the link for the methodology.

The Serious Play is a good technique for adult learners. It stimulates creativity and causes you to use both sides of your brain while you’re listening or thinking. As a writer, you can do these exercises when you’re plotting or trying to get out of a rut.

Legos/Building Blocks

When you’re brainstorming or plotting, pull out the building blocks and build. You don’t have to have a plan. Let your subconscious guide you. You’ll be surprised at the creativity it sparks.

PlayDoh or Modeling Clay

Back in my training years, I’ve used PlayDoh in classes to get people to use their tactile skills and to energize them to come up with new ideas. As a writer, if you’re stuck or need to work out a plot point, break out the PlayDoh. The smell will bring back lots of childhood memories.

Coloring

If you’re stuck, get out the crayons or colored pencils and color or draw. Studies have been done about the recognizable smell of crayons. The hand-eye work stimulates the creative regions of the brain and stimulates activity.

These are some fun ways that will bring back memories to get your creativity kick-started. What else would you add to my list?

How Do You Get Recharged? Tips for Writers

Everybody hits a slump or a block from time to time. Sometimes, there's an awful feeling of being overwhelmed. The key is not stay there or wallow in doubt, despair, or fear. Here are some ideas to get you recharged and back on your writing projects.

1. I go to my monthly critique group meetings. Having a deadline for submitting work to be reviewed helps me keep on track. Plus, I love interacting with talented and creative people. I learn as much from others' critiques as I do from those of my work.

2. I also attend writers' group meetings and events. Many of these have a learning component, and experiencing new things always recharges me. It's also a great way to interact with other writers. I can't say enough about how valuable my writing network is to me. I get ideas, critiques, and support from people who have the same experiences.

3. If it's not feasible to join a group in your area, there are plenty online. I receive a digest of the threads each day. Even though I don't have the time to read and respond to every thread, I do check out interesting topics and keep up with new projects. And it's nice to know that you're not alone in your writing cave.

4. Take some time off and do something interesting or fun. Usually, the break is all I need to get back into writing mode. 

5. Volunteer some of your time. There are so many  groups that appreciate the help. Time away helps you clear your thoughts and get focused.

6. Exercise. Get those endorphins pumping. You'll feel better. (I recently got a stand-up desk at my day gig. It is wonderful. I feel so much better at the end of the day.)

7. I get overwhelmed when I have too many projects going at once, even if they're in different stages. I need to prioritize and focus on the critical tasks. That helps me quell the anxiety and stress.

8. Learn how to say "no" nicely (but firmly). It's hard. There are so many people making requests of you, and you can't do it all. It takes a lot of effort to balance your writing with the rest of your life. I would love to participate in every author or volunteer event that comes along, but sometimes, it's not feasible. Your time is valuable. Guard your writing time.

9. If you don't have a writers group, invite a couple of writers to lunch or coffee. Make time to network and share ideas. Peer groups are important.

How do you recharge? What would you add to my list?

My Best Plotting Happens While Driving...

I do a lot of presentations and workshops about mysteries and writing, and one of the most frequently asked questions is, "Where do you get your ideas from?"

And my answer is always, "Everywhere." I'll read something or see a TV show that sparks an idea. (I record a lot of history, science, and home renovation show. Mythbusters is a wealth of information for mystery/thriller writers.) I've keep a notebook with me. I am always jotting down snippets of conversations, a cool name, or something unusual. I used to save newspaper clippings and magazine articles. Now, I add interesting pictures and links to my Pinterest boards.

Sometimes, a story or a plot line starts with an interesting location or event. I noodle on it for a while and come up with a plotline for a novel or a short story. When I visit places, I take pictures, so I can describe it later.

I usually outline my writing. I color code areas where humor, romance, and mysteries appear, so I can see if I spread them out enough. I tend to do my best plotting while I'm driving. There is a fairly straight stretch of interstate on my way home from the city. I've plotted many a mystery or murder during that commute. 

Google Maps is a great tool to find locations and to see what they look like. Is there a lake near that housing development? Does that road go through a specific town? Are their fields or mountains nearby? Where is a great place to hide a body? 

The Internet can be a big distraction. I went online to check something and ended up watching cute puppy videos. But it is a FABULOUS reservoir of information. It makes getting in touch with SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) so much easier. Twitter is great for putting out ideas and receiving feedback from others. I've posted questions, and people in the know are always kind enough to respond. 

I know that I'm going to have to explain my Google searches one day. Honestly, I was just checking on that kind of poison for a mystery that I'm writing.

Life is full of experiences that make their way into my writing. Be observant. You'll never know what you'll encounter. 

18 Ways to Boost Your Creativity

I had the privilege of attending a Creative Thinking Workshop by Michelle James recently, and she had some great tips for recharging your daily routine and the ways you think about things. Here's what I learned...

1. Everyone is creative. Remember how creative you were at three or four?
2. The first rule of improve is to make everyone look good. It's good advice for interacting with others.
3. Learn something new. Try something new.
4. Deflection, jokes, and sarcasm shut down others' creativity.
5. Creativity is messy.
6. Work on your discovery skills. Look for new things. Go for a walk and look for something you haven't noticed before.
7. When you start to judge or evaluate something, it shuts down the creativity part. For writers, you need to just write. Do the editing/proofreading later.
8. Encourage different thinking in others and yourself.
9. Strive to make the impossible possible. Then make the possible look easy. Then make the easy look artful.
10. Google Brain Gym. There are a lot of exercises that you can do at your desk to stimulate creativity.
11. Keep your energy going.
12. Be present with what you're doing. Put down the phone and don't multi-task. Listen, contribute, and participate.
13. When you're brainstorming, use "yes, and." That gives you options and ideas. If you use "yes, but," you limit opportunities.
14. Have fun.
15. Ask yourself "how might I"?
16. Don't get too comfortable or complacent. Step out of your comfort zone.
17. Creative breakthroughs come at the edge of chaos.
18. Find a place where you can be creative.

Ways to Recharge Your Creativity

Are you stuck in a writing rut? Do you need to recharge your creativity? Here are some ways to jar you out of the mundane...

1. Exercise - Take a long walk, dance, run, or stretch. It gets the blood flowing and the endorphins flying.

2. Try another creative project like cooking, baking, painting, crafting, gardening, or sewing. It causes you to think differently.

3. Find some writing prompts and write for 10-15 minutes a day. There are a lot of books and free online sites with great ideas. You may be surprised at what you discover. This will also help you with your "write every day" goal.

4. Go on a photography adventure. Take lots of pictures. Make it a day trip and share it with someone. I use a lot of these photos in my blog or on social media.

5. Read a book. Pick one in another genre and read for fun.

6. Go on a writing retreat. There are low cost ways to make it happen. Combine this with a vacation or go camping. Or plan your own writer's retreat at home. Find a new, quiet place and write. Coffee shops and libraries also work for a change of scenery.

7. Mix up your writing location for a day. Go outside or change rooms. Go somewhere different.

8. Go somewhere and people-watch. Take notes on what you observe. Write down snippets of dialogue. You never know what'll be useful in a future story.

9. Take a class. Learn something new. Many colleges, libraries, and art centers offer low-cost courses. Our local school system offers a variety of technical and fun courses. There are also many free or low-cost online courses.

10. Volunteer.  There are a lot of worthwhile groups that need assistance. You have skills and talents they can use.