I’m trying to motivate myself to keep working on my novel by reading more about writing. Here are a few of the best writing articles I’ve read recently:

• A Guide to Becoming a Better Writer: 15 Practical Tips
  The suggestions here include creating a writing ritual, eliminating distractions, and learning to write conversationally.
• Six Ways to Start the Writing Process
  A great outline to follow if you’re thinking about tackling a big project (like a novel) and aren’t sure where to start. Some good tips in the comments too.
  
• Entry Level Freelance Writing
  Some great tips for those thinking about going professional with their writing. I’m working on step one (start a blog). Also, links to companies hiring writers for small jobs.
• Writing Dirty
  No, it’s not what you think. Skellie talks about the importance of “writing with humanity.” In other words, remember to let your voice shine through your writing, especially when writing for online publication.
• The Freelancers Guide to Getting Into Flow
  Another article by Leo Babauta, this talks about achieving focus on one specific task and blocking out distractions. One suggestion that I need to work on is finding something rewarding about any task I’m reluctant to start.
• Becoming Your Characters
  Whenever I start a story, I struggle with creating a character that isn’t me in disguise. Daily Writing Tips talks about becoming your character, using tips from method acting, rather than letting your character become you.
• How to Write Faster, Better, and Easier
  Those are the magic words: faster, better, easier. Writer K. Stone shares her step-by-step method for writing, starting with “Dream Time” and ending with the final draft. Some good advice in the comments too.
• The Art of Writing: 10 Tips from the Masters
  Another article from Pick the Brain. Enlivened by quotes from writers like Mark Twain and Ray Bradbury, this article consists of pithy advice to hone your writing.
• Writing Tip: Develop Your Style
  I’ve been struggling with this idea for years, and I’m still not sure I have a “style” to call my own. I’m not sure I agree with everything here, but it’s definitely something to think about.
• Where Do You Get Off?
  Finally, an article about claiming the word “writer” for your own. It doesn’t matter if you’re a paid professional or someone who writes for fun. If you write, you’re a writer. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

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Posted: September 19th, 2007 under Reviews, Writing.
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As with most cliches, hearing “why don’t you try thinking out of the box” used as legitimate advice makes me wonder if I’m trapped in some Office Space nightmare. No doubt, this was an incredibly original thing to say the first time. But I wonder if it was good advice even then.

Success from the Nest posts on the benefits of imposing restrictions to your creativity. It’s a common belief that wide-open freedom is necessary to be creative, but how do you feel about a blank page? Imposing some restrictions can spark creativity by giving you something to build on. The Creative Adaptation series by Success from the Nest also discusses creativity based on inspiration from others. It’s true: no idea has ever been created in a vacuum. It’s also true that your grade school teacher was right: plagiarism is wrong. But there are many wide lands of opportunity between the opposing poles of the blank page and plagiarism.

Writing prompts are a great way to stretch your creativity by starting out with a limit. Here’s a list I wrote previously, or here’s a few to get you started:

• Pick an object to write about. Start with the table in front of you or the chair you’re sitting on if you can’t think of anything else.
• Copy down the first line of a poem or story you haven’t read. Write your own story or poem based on that first line and see where it takes you. Then discard the original line. If you use a piece with which you’re unfamiliar, you won’t be distracted by the original.
• Analyze a story you like. Finally, all those literature classes you took in college might come in handy. But don’t get too carried away trying to identify all the symbolism or the influences on the writer. Instead, think about what you like about the story. Is it the characters, the setting, the language? Pick one of these elements and hone in. What attracts you about the main character? Is she adventurous, rebellious? Does she have a quiet wisdom that draws people to her? Write a character with some of these qualities, but make sure you don’t just recreate your source. Change the gender, upbringing, location, job, or crisis for your character. Before long, you may have a whole story unfolding.

Sometimes imposing restrictions can provide a springboard by getting your own ideas flowing. Other times focusing on one topic or method can stimulate ideas you might never have had otherwise. Don’t feel trapped just because you’re in a box. Try exploring the corners before breaking out.

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Posted: September 18th, 2007 under Creativity, Inspiration, Writing.
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Everyone can use a little more inspiration, whether at work, school, or home. Try these tips to boost your creativity.

1. Remember, being creative isn’t only for “artsy” people
   Many people think creativity is about having artistic skills. They say, “I can’t write, I can’t paint, and every time I take a photo I put my finger over the lens. I’m just not creative.” I say, “You can be a creative person. You are a creative person already, you just don’t know it.” Creativity is about using your imagination in every endeavor. It’s not just for artists.
2. Learn something every day
   Creativity often involves adapting an idea to make it your own. Continually expose yourself to new ideas and the creative well will never run dry. Always have a book on your nightstand, if you can. Download audio books or check them out from the library to play while driving or exercising. Above all, learn something from every experience.
3. Get outside
   Whether it’s outside your house or just outside your mind, changing your perspective will help the ideas flow. Many people find connecting with nature to be a good way to slow their frantic lives. Sometimes all you need is a little peace and quiet to hear what your mind has to say.
4. Drink enough water
   I’m always amazed at how much more clearly I think when I’m well-hydrated. The Mayo Clinic says that symptoms of mild dehydration include tiredness, headache, muscle weakness, and dizziness. So drink up and think more clearly.
5. Exercise
   As with drinking water, I don’t always realize how much of my energy comes from exercising until I have to stop. I had an amazing spurt of productivity recently when I renewed my commitment to exercise every day. But I pushed myself too hard, hurt my knees, and had to take a break. I’ve felt sluggish ever since. I’m looking forward to the burst of creative energy I’ll get when I go back to the gym.
6. Think big
   If you’re stuck working out the details of a project, step back. Go over your goals for the project, and remind yourself what you expect from the result. Remember: the world will not end if every detail is not perfect. Being able to relax and see things from the long view helps keep the creativity flowing.
7. Think small
   At the same time, don’t get lost in the big picture and forget to think about the details. Having a creative vision is important, often essential. But the details make the whole thing come together. Take time to plan out the small steps you’ll need to climb to your final result. Having a well-designed plan will give you a solid base from which to let your creativity run wild.
8. Pretend you’re ten and haven’t yet forgotten how to use your imagination
   One of my favorite books is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery . Every time I read it I’m reminded of the importance of wonder. Curiosity, imagination, and wonder are qualities we often expect to leave behind as we grow to adulthood. But that’s a mistake. These three things are the basic ingredients of creativity. Remember what it was like when the whole world was waiting to be discovered? Recapture that feeling and your creativity will surge.
9. Daydream
   Productivity is important, but it’s not an end in itself. Being organized, motivated, and getting things done only improves your life when it leaves you time to dream. Have you ever noticed that a lot of your best thinking is in the shower? Having time to yourself when you don’t have to be tightly focused on your next deadline is essential to creativity.

Try these tips and you’ll find that your creativity blossoms naturally. All it needs is fertile soil in which to grow.

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Posted: September 17th, 2007 under Creativity.
Comments: 27

Every other Friday I post one of my photos. I’m always working on developing my skills and welcome your input. Please leave your feedback in the comments.

To use this photo as a desktop wallpaper, download the standard (1600 x 1200) resolution or the widescreen (1900 x 1200) resolution.

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Posted: September 14th, 2007 under Photography, Photos.
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Here are some ideas for the unmotivated photographer. Unmotivated writers, see Tuesday’s post: 6 Writing Prompts for a Lazy Afternoon.

• Take another look at your backyard.
  You’ve probably taken plenty of photos in your backyard: family gatherings, barbecues, or the kids playing. Look again and and see what details you might have missed. Have you ever photographed the wildflowers along the back fence? What about the shadows the swings cast at sunset? What does the garden look like at different perspectives? What about when you zoom in on the squash plant or the row of beans? If you don’t have a backyard, is there a green space you walk past every day? Try to look at it as if for the first time. What do you see?
• Try a still life at home.
  All you need is a cloth taped to your wall and arranged over your kitchen counter. Try a variety of things as your subjects: the fruit and cereal you’re having for breakfast, the sandwich you made for lunch. Try an arrangement of vegetables from your garden, or hone in on single fruits and vegetables. While you’re at it, photograph those figurines you’ve been meaning to sell on Ebay. Pay attention to the light. Soft light from a side window might be best, but experiment with artificial light and flash too.
• Observe the light moving through your house as the day passes.
  Even if you’re busy working around the house, set a timer each hour to check where the light is now. Is there a soft glow that moves down your hallway as the morning progresses? What do the hard shadows from the blinds fall on? Take a look out the window every hour too. What interesting patterns of light are moving across your yard? Even if you don’t take any photos, observing light like this will make you more aware and better prepared when you’re planning a shoot.
• Go find some water.
  Even if it’s just water running over some fruit in the sink (an inspirational example), water can be a fascinating, complex subject for photography. My fiance and I like to visit a nearby dam several times a year. We’ve taken photos of the dam when the river flooded, when trees or other objects were caught between the dam and the current, and when fisherman stood almost in the center of the river below the dam. If you have a camera capable of taking fast photos, the “frozen” spray from the dam can make some fascinating abstract photos. Any body of water, constantly changing, can offer unique opportunities for photography.
• Photograph objects from an ant’s perspective.
  Especially if your camera has macro capabilities, try studying the textures of objects by zooming as close as you can, eliminating distracting objects. What do your jeans look like up close? The bark of a tree? Cracked mud on the riverbank? Try looking at objects in a different way, composing your photos for an abstract effect. Or try your hand at more typical macro photography subjects: flowers, leaves, insects, fruit, small objects like screws or pencil shavings.
• Experiment with post processing software.
  Sometimes, I just don’t want to go somewhere to shoot anything new, but I’m still in the mood to make a photo. I often take this opportunity to learn some new photo editing tricks. If you mainly use photo editing software to crop and reduce the size of your photos, try some of your program’s more advanced features. If you don’t have photo editing software, try downloading free software like Picasa or GIMP, both available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. GIMP has many of the features of the expensive Photoshop software. A variety of tutorials for GIMP are available online:
  • GIMP.org Tutorials
  • GIMP-Tutorials.com
  • Gimpology
  • GIMP Talk
  • GIMP Tutorials at the Tutorial Blog - list of tutorial websites

The next time you’re in the photography mood but lack inspiration, don’t just spend the whole day on Flickr. Try some of these ideas or brainstorm your own today to prepare for those lazy afternoons.

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Posted: September 13th, 2007 under Inspiration, Photography.
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