Category Archives: creativity

Here’s the plan. A Sunday afternoon writer’s retreat…

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Yep, get the cooking and other distractions out of the way.

Free up the afternoon

In preparation:

  1. create a playlist of YouTube/SkillShare videos to boost my confidence and expertise
  2. set writing goals–# of words, # of posts, # of minutes actually writing/editing
  3. tools for first draft work [camera, audio recorder]
  4. coffee and home-baked goods nearby

Other necessities:

  • A readiness to change locations if it’s called for. [Move to a coffee shop, a city park, the backyard]
  • Phones are off/airplane mode
  • A timer to maintain focus

Let’s see how it goes.

Words of inspiration from Jill Badonsky

I have two of Jill Badonsky’s books: The Awe-manac and The Muse Is In

Until tonight, I had not opened this newsletter forwarded to me by my wife the same month I left my job almost two years ago. Just one of those emails that slipped by…
I hope the quote nudges you forward in your creative pursuits…

jill badonsky quote with background

If you believe it’s time to give that creative calling inside of you a shot, honor it in some really small way today.

Start by asking “What do I love about my creative passion?” and “What one really small thing I can do to get started?”

Just asking these questions, even without having an answer, will begin to shift your energy toward the thoughts and actions that make it easier to get to your passion.

Once you light that fire, you will shine so brightly, there’s a chance one or two souls will stop their bickering and be inspired to do the same–you will be a catalyst of creative passion. — Jill Badonsky

10 Writing Prompts for August 30

Word Art (6)

  1. “Yes, it is my fault. But I can’t undo this.”

  2. “The time is now. We can worry about the others later.”

  3. I wasn’t sure I could handle this pressure…

  4. “Don’t freak out on me now. I need you! We all need you!”

  5. “Faking a call on your cell is the oldest trick in the book!”

  6. We had just saved a thousand bucks and it was time to celebrate…

  7. “You treat that dog better than you treat me!”   

  8. “Who’s your friend?”
    “Well, if you must know…”

  9. “That’s a whole lot of real estate you just bought.”

  10. Every time he raised that scalpel, I swear I…

For more ideas how these warmups might help…How to use writing prompts by Emily Wenstrom.

Writing prompts–Where do they come from?

writing prompts circle cloud

  1. We saw no reason why he poured that stuff in the tank, but it seemed to work.

  2. “Quick. Tell me two good reasons why we should be together!”
    “Uhhh, two?”

  3. The 80’s came and went, but left this guy on our doorstep.

  4. “Right about now would be a good time to buck up and tell the truth.”

  5. We were ju-u-uust about there…

  6. “You really don’t see the problem here?”

  7. “Let’s get a little less selfish here.”

  8. In this case, patience would not be the solution.

  9. “Your behavior was more than a little provocative.”
    “You’re blaming me instead of the guy with the gun?”

  10. “You’re going to need someone to help you navigate these waters.”
    I smirked. “And I assume that someone is you.”

Where do these ideas come from?
Some of my sources…

  • Listening to [eavesdropping] on others’ conversation.
  • Reading novels.
  • Reading the newspapers.
  • Listening to TV dialogue.
  • Looking through lists of nouns and verbs.

 

For more ideas how these warmups might help…How to use writing prompts by Emily Wenstrom.

10 Writing Prompts for August 17

Word Art (3)

  1. “Yes, it is my fault. But I can’t undo this.”
  2. “Let’s talk right now. We can worry about the others later.”
  3. We weren’t so sure he could handle this pressure…
  4. “Don’t freak out on me now. I need you! We all need you!”
  5. “Faking a call on your cell is the oldest trick in the book!”
    “Trust me, I was desperate.”
  6. She dropped a thousand bucks on the table. “Go for it.”
  7. “You treat that dog better than you treat me!”   
  8. “What’s your point?”
    He reached inside his coat. “I’m glad you asked.”
  9. “That’s a whole lot of real estate you just bought.”
  10. Every time he raised that scalpel…

For more ideas how these warmups might help…How to use writing prompts by Emily Wenstrom.

Writing prompt of the day: Time passages

Here’s a fun image that might spark a fun short story or some thoughts about ‘real life’.

surreal-time passing

Need some musical inspiration?

Try this. [I’m thinking you won’t need to listen to all 15 minutes. ;->]

Or this.

Or this.

Disclaimer: These suggestions are pertinent to the topic of time and do not necessarily reflect the tastes of the author of this post. [Unless, of course, you like the selections, in which case the author is a genius.]

 

10 Writing Prompts for August 10

imagine word cloud

  1. We saw no reason why he poured that stuff in the tank, but it seemed to work.
  2. “Quick. Tell me two good reasons why we should be together!”
    “Geez, two?”
  3. The 80’s came and went, but left this guy on our doorstep.
  4. “Right about now would be a good time to buck up and tell the truth.”
  5. We were juuuust about there…
  6. “You really don’t see the problem here?”
  7. “Let’s get a little less selfish here.”
  8. Pacing was not going to help here.
  9. “Your behavior was more than a little provocative.”
    “You’re blaming me instead of the guy with the gun?”
  10. “You’re going to need someone to help you navigate these waters.”

10 Writing Prompts for August 8

Writng Prompts Word Art 4

  1. “If you’re taking this seriously, why are you blowing bubbles while I’m talking to you?”
  2. “Do more with less. Then we’ll talk about advancement.”  At that moment, I certainly wanted advancement…of my fist on his forehead.
  3. “I’m pretty sure I don’t need a psychiatrist.”
    “Ohhh, I’m pretty sure you do.”
  4. “Here’s what you have to do. Shut up and follow instructions.”
  5. “You keep an eye on my house for a day and you’re expecting a parade?”
  6. “Maybe we should take turns.”
  7. “The data doesn’t lie.”
    “Actually, sometimes it does.”
  8. “Do you really know what you’re doing?”
  9. “This is the first stage of total organizational failure.”  
  10. “Thanks for the positive strokes. I really needed them right about now.”

Comments: #’s 2, 5, and 7 could certainly take place in an HR office.

I could see #9 being uttered in a conference room of stuffed shirts.

But as I type these suggestions, I’d say it would be even more fun to choose a setting completely opposite in nature.

Nothing to write about? I don’t think soooooo….

One of my favorite pages from Austin Kleon‘s book Show Your Work ** encourages creators to become ‘documentarians of what you do’.

Whether you share it or not, documenting and recording your process as you go along has its own rewards: You’ll start to see the work you’re doing more clearly and feel like you’re making progress. And when you’re ready to share, you’ll have a surplus of material to choose from.

  1. Research
  2. Reference
  3. Drawings
  4. Plans
  5. Sketches
  6. Interviews
  7. Audio
  8. Photos
  9. Video
  10. Pinboards
  11. Journals
  12. Drafts
  13. Prototypes
  14. Demos
  15. Diagrams
  16. Notes
  17. Inspiration
  18. Scrapbooks
  19. Stories
  20. Collections

**Not an affiliate link. ;-]