Every writer should have at least one other art form. We need to work with something outside of our comfort zone with words. Not only is this a great way to deal with writing stress, blocks or rejection but you make your brain work in different ways, bringing out fresh vision and inventiveness.
I like ASCII art (typed pictures) and sewing (quilting and embroidery). I've begun teaching myself to draw. Just simple cartoon type drawing, nothing fancy, professional or very complex, just another outlet for my creativity. I’m finally trying to draw some of those pictures in my head.
Think about the things you enjoy doing. You may have a few creative hobbies or interests which you haven’t considered as art forms. Don't discount something just cause it doesn't suit the arty types. Maybe you create with plants, gardening. Maybe you enjoy home repairs and other do-it-yourself work around the home. Inventions and inventiveness are all apart of being creative. Maybe you like home decorating, photography, recycling thrift store finds, collecting some odd thing or other, it's all art.
Take stock of your creative outlets, you may find a few you didn't even know you have.
Decluttering
Clutter! There, I said it! Are you cringing just thinking about it? I do. You see, I am a clutter bug.
Sitting in front of my computer I am surrounded on nearly all sides with a clutter of my own making. It's 90 per cent paper, biodegradable eventually, if I let it sit in the same spot that long. But, there is the odd coffee mug (empty but for the dregs on the bottom), a jar of vitamins (because here I know I will remember to actually take them), there are multiple and assorted pens. The pens are kind of funny since I type everything. But, I do make the odd note, maybe once or twice a week. There are also many PC games. Everyone needs their procrastination of choice. I'd be doing myself a favour if I made them less accessible. Like, if I moved them out of easy reach. That's not likely to happen, get real!
I'm not a complete pack rat, but everything does seem to settle around my computer, eventually. I could throw out some of the newspapers. If I haven't read them a month later I should make myself give up on them. But, I might find a really great source for something I'd like to write about. Or, I might come across an ad with a great graphic I could use. (Not copying graphics, just using the ideas to make my own.) Or, I might find an article that says something really amazing, even better than I ever thought to say it myself. *Sigh* It's so hard to let go.
What's your clutter? If you had to make a dent in it today, could you? What pile could you sort through fastest? Which one did you last trip over or have to restack when it all slid to one side?
We have an endless supply of information. But at some point we each have to find a way to control it. You can't do much about the source or the temptation but you can try to limit how much you keep. If you're living with a path to the computer, it's really time to take action and let some of it go. Don't worry, there'll be more information overload tomorrow.
You are the company you keep, don't surround yourself with paper, it has a really bad habit of bringing those little buggy worm things. Ick!
Happy decluttering, you know you won't be alone. I've just brought a big green garbage bag to the computer for my own clutter.
Sitting in front of my computer I am surrounded on nearly all sides with a clutter of my own making. It's 90 per cent paper, biodegradable eventually, if I let it sit in the same spot that long. But, there is the odd coffee mug (empty but for the dregs on the bottom), a jar of vitamins (because here I know I will remember to actually take them), there are multiple and assorted pens. The pens are kind of funny since I type everything. But, I do make the odd note, maybe once or twice a week. There are also many PC games. Everyone needs their procrastination of choice. I'd be doing myself a favour if I made them less accessible. Like, if I moved them out of easy reach. That's not likely to happen, get real!
I'm not a complete pack rat, but everything does seem to settle around my computer, eventually. I could throw out some of the newspapers. If I haven't read them a month later I should make myself give up on them. But, I might find a really great source for something I'd like to write about. Or, I might come across an ad with a great graphic I could use. (Not copying graphics, just using the ideas to make my own.) Or, I might find an article that says something really amazing, even better than I ever thought to say it myself. *Sigh* It's so hard to let go.
What's your clutter? If you had to make a dent in it today, could you? What pile could you sort through fastest? Which one did you last trip over or have to restack when it all slid to one side?
We have an endless supply of information. But at some point we each have to find a way to control it. You can't do much about the source or the temptation but you can try to limit how much you keep. If you're living with a path to the computer, it's really time to take action and let some of it go. Don't worry, there'll be more information overload tomorrow.
You are the company you keep, don't surround yourself with paper, it has a really bad habit of bringing those little buggy worm things. Ick!
Happy decluttering, you know you won't be alone. I've just brought a big green garbage bag to the computer for my own clutter.
Time to Buy a New Dictionary
When did you last buy/ get a new dictionary? How about a thesaurus? Maybe you splurged and got a rhyming dictionary too?
I especially like playing around with my thesaurus. But, tonight, I discovered how out of touch my trusty dictionary is. In fact, good old trusty is down right rusty. There is no ergonomics in my dictionary. Sure, I can spell check it with Lotus Word but it's just not the same. If you can't rely on your hand held print dictionary what is life coming to?
It's coming to the point where I will sacrifice a few (few dozen likely) bucks and buy myself a shining new, updated dictionary. Now, the question is which company to choose from. The current oldie is a Funk and Wagnalls I bought for college English classes. At the time it was the best choice between wordiness and thriftiness.
However, I'm not a college student any more. Now, I'm actually making real cash money every other week. I'll stick with paperback. It's easier to transport around and find space for. I can't imagine hauling out some hard, huge book every time I get the urge to look up something.
Another credential for my dictionary will be Canadian spellings. I'm Canadian and I intend to go on spelling like one. If anyone can't understand it they can just pull out a dictionary of their own.
While I'm dictionary shopping this weekend I'll peek at the thesaurus too. It's more fun than the stuffy old dictionary anyway.
So, how old is your dictionary? Can you find ergonomics?
I especially like playing around with my thesaurus. But, tonight, I discovered how out of touch my trusty dictionary is. In fact, good old trusty is down right rusty. There is no ergonomics in my dictionary. Sure, I can spell check it with Lotus Word but it's just not the same. If you can't rely on your hand held print dictionary what is life coming to?
It's coming to the point where I will sacrifice a few (few dozen likely) bucks and buy myself a shining new, updated dictionary. Now, the question is which company to choose from. The current oldie is a Funk and Wagnalls I bought for college English classes. At the time it was the best choice between wordiness and thriftiness.
However, I'm not a college student any more. Now, I'm actually making real cash money every other week. I'll stick with paperback. It's easier to transport around and find space for. I can't imagine hauling out some hard, huge book every time I get the urge to look up something.
Another credential for my dictionary will be Canadian spellings. I'm Canadian and I intend to go on spelling like one. If anyone can't understand it they can just pull out a dictionary of their own.
While I'm dictionary shopping this weekend I'll peek at the thesaurus too. It's more fun than the stuffy old dictionary anyway.
So, how old is your dictionary? Can you find ergonomics?
People Watching
I don't think you can really be a writer unless you are also an avid people watcher. I really like to sit with a coffee and watch the people around me. I don't write stories for them, I just observe and come to my own conclusions about who they are, what they think and feel. Do they seem tired, grumpy, cheery, clever, amused, interesting, rushed or laid back? Are they well dressed or a bit too casual? Does that hair style really suit them? You can go on forever.
What things do you see that cause you to decide who someone is, on one sighting alone? I think the way they dress, their body language and how their face, are big first impression tip offs. Next time you are people watching consider the first three things you notice about people. Do you notice different things than I do?
Do you write that way? When you describe a character do you write about them as if they were someone you just saw at the mall, in the parking lot at work or wherever you happen to be writing them. Do you give details about their appearance, body language and facial expressions?
Have you ever written about a stranger you watched somewhere? Try it. Give yourself a challenge and write in a different venue than your usual. If you write fiction try poetry, if you write non-fiction try fiction and so on. Go nuts and write a greeting card just for them!
Most of all, keep watching those passers by, you never know when they will become inspiration.
What things do you see that cause you to decide who someone is, on one sighting alone? I think the way they dress, their body language and how their face, are big first impression tip offs. Next time you are people watching consider the first three things you notice about people. Do you notice different things than I do?
Do you write that way? When you describe a character do you write about them as if they were someone you just saw at the mall, in the parking lot at work or wherever you happen to be writing them. Do you give details about their appearance, body language and facial expressions?
Have you ever written about a stranger you watched somewhere? Try it. Give yourself a challenge and write in a different venue than your usual. If you write fiction try poetry, if you write non-fiction try fiction and so on. Go nuts and write a greeting card just for them!
Most of all, keep watching those passers by, you never know when they will become inspiration.
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