Creativity Bleeds

<Creativity bleeds from the pen of inspiration.>
              - Anonymous

Let's talk inspiration today. What inspires us writers to do what we do anyways? Is it good? Is it bad?
My poetry is inspired most times at random. It literally could be anything that I happen to cross any given day. It isn't hard to channel my creativity into poetry. Writing a novel is totally different. I find myself grasping at times. Sure I have ideas but lots of writes have ideas. But where do they come from? I've taken a little piece of advice from an article I read about a very famous author. He stated a good deal of his novels came from his dreams. So what did I do? I kept a notebook and pen by my night stand and if I woke up in the middle of the night I jotted down anything good, different and/or obscure. Mind you not all of it turned out legible or even coherent! But I did find a few nuggets of gold among the rubble. One dream has unfolded to a nearly finished novel. Another I have started extensive research on the subject. I'm not quiet sure how it will progress or even who my protagonist is! All I have are bones. I'm pretty excited to Frankenstein this novel once my current ms is finished.
Anyways there is my take on inspiration and I imagine every writer is different. If you find yourself stuck on ideas, maybe try another method. Good luck!

As always, keep your pen up!

Killing Dreams

<Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.> 
                          -Suzy Kassem

Let me pour my heart out to you just for a minute. I know some of my posts seem crazy, a little out there, kinda goofy even, I have a purpose to all of the scattered-braininess (partly because I have a reputation of being easily distracted but lets put a pin in that). There are tons of negativity in our day-to-day lives. You can't help but hearing, seeing, reading some of it. I blame the media in part, the other is just people making bad decisions. With all this chaos running among your life I wanted to write something to distract you from the pain and sadness. Even if and only if my post for a millisecond makes you think, 'Whaaaaa'; I consider my job done. I'm an encourager and up-lifter by nature. I may not be front and center, but I'm there cheering you on every step of the way. I know what it's like not having support. More importantly, I know how it feels not to have someone believing in your dreams as you believe in them. They're real to you. If you could take that last step to...maybe if you stand on your tippy toes to brush the edge, of that magnificent aurora in the sky while balancing on the edge of the cliff.
I know this one is long & I promise to wrap it all together shortly.

The quote above reminds even me to strain every muscle I have to brush that aurora. In the moment of my fingertips touching the cooling, dancing colors, I won't be thinking of those who said I'm 'not good enough', or 'writing isn't a real job.'  No. I'm going to be thinking, "I've made it. I always knew I could!" Deep down my pride was waiting to raise, as long as I kill my doubts. Please don't listen to your doubts nor the doubts other people give you. They will defeat you long before you will finish what you started. Let them spout all they want. Smile kindly to their "words of wisdom", but in your mind tell them, no. Then, then raise with me.

#keepyourpenup

Time Will Not

"You may delay but time will not"  -Benjamin Franklin 

Do you ever have those days where the list of things to do is too long and the day too short?
I believe we all do. This time of year is always busy for us. Tax time gets insane as there is a scramble for the last crumpled receipt stuck between the passenger seat and the console. With the hubs being self employed, there is a lot of extra work (and pressure!) for me. I'm responsible for the calculations of all the receipts and purchases and deductions. Normally as someone who battles with time management in the worst way possible, I would rather suck my thumb in the corner rather than look at all the work ahead. (Fitting for an aspiring author, don't you think?) This year was different. I avoided all distaste, tears and stress while caring for our newborn son! (AH-HA!) How?
The phrase at the beginning is a spectacular example of how we should live day to day.
I beat all my obstacles by putting the tax preparation ahead of daily activities. As soon as a month was finished I entered the numbers into the spread sheet. Let me tell you, busting my hind end to get all that done was worth it. I'm nearly stress free and we have our tax appointment tomorrow. Everything is level. Now if I can apply that to my writing, I'd have another six novels under my belt. I've learned from my situation. If I don't make the time for my WIP it will infinitely be just that. Work. In. Progress. And even though it isn't my first love, it's solid...so far. I get lost in trying to keep up with the laundry and the dishes while making meals or sweeping, I delay working on my novel. Now my lovelies I must go and write.