The 'Write' Environment

Whether it's at the kitchen table, alone in your vehicle, at a desk, or while sitting on a park bench, having a designated space to write can make all the difference in your productivity.

If you're anything like me, it may take up to thirty minutes for your muse to stop flitting around and focus when you're ready to write.

(Source)

Setting up my work every time I want to write is time-consuming, and when only able to steal away tidbits of writing time, every moment is precious. There's nothing worse than having to put all your notes, scenes, and chapters in one big pile every time you need to set the table for dinner. Sorting out that pile again is a huge time-waster and enough to chase your muse into the living room to watch reruns of

Teletubbies

If you must work on the kitchen or dining room table, in your vehicle, or on a park bench, you may want to invest in something like the Wonderfile.

I find that leaving my work-in-progress on my desk and opened to the last scene I worked on is like a constant reminder to get back to work. Before doing anything, I like to read over the last few pages of what I wrote to jump start myself.  BUT that doesn't always work--sometimes while I'm reading, my muse skips away to eat a giant bowl of Heavenly Hash ice cream. 

(Source)

There are times, like when I'm doing dishes or while on hold with a parts supplier, that a designated writing spot isn't necessary for my muse to poke me in the ribs and an idea or scene pops into my brain. While I may write those ideas down, I need somewhere to organize all those pop-ups. We all need a place to put those little slips of paper and notebooks without worrying about splattering gravy on that awesome battle scene that took a week to get 'just right.'

We need a place where all of our tools are easily accessible. No one wants a perfectly constructed sentence, a jewel of dialogue, or a climactic revelation to float away into thin air while you rescue your favorite pen from your child's backpack or plead with your husband to log off that fishing website.

By sitting down at your dining room table, your spare room, or even your converted closet,

(Source)

Isn't this the cutest little nook?

your mind, and your muse, will be trained to know it's time to get to work.

We need a spot to turn on our favorite creative music, or if you prefer, a place to enjoy total silence where we are free from distractions--a place that tells your family, "Do not disturb me, please. I'm working."

Setting up your own space shows others, and yourself, that your work is serious and your work space is off-limits to curious hands and eyes. It's also a good place to handcuff that free-spirited muse. 

(Source)

Do you have a designated space for creating?

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Thankfulness

So sorry to interrupt your broadcast of ridiculously early Christmas carols, (what's up with that anyway?) but this is in fact Thanksgiving week. What better time for a blog post on being thankful?

Sure, we should count our blessings every day, but Thanksgiving is a time when we are shaken from our hectic lives and reminded to slow down for a day (After cooking enough food for an arm, and before the stress of Christmas shopping for things we can't afford for people who don't need anything, of course.) and be mindful of the abundance in our lives.

So, I thought I would share with you all some of the things I am thankful for:

“When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching -- they are your family. ” 

― Jim Butcher

~Our family, of course. Most of them are bitchy, crazy, sarcastic, mixed-up, and quite dysfunctional, (except for the new babies, but it's inevitable...) but I love each and every person. Oh, and by the way, only I can say that about them. 

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.”― Albert Einstein

~My creativity. Whether I'm writing, drawing, crafting, or whatever--it's all mine. I only wish I had more time to enjoy it and share it.

“Home is the nicest word there is.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder

~Our warm safe home. So many people have lost their homes in the recent hurricane and I thank God every day we are so fortunate.

“You're going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it's always their actions you should judge them by. It's actions, not words, that matter.” ― Nicholas Sparks, The Rescue

~My friends. Whether they are the online friends I've never met personally, or the ones I've shared laughter, tears, day trips to NYC, or margaritas (salted rim, please) with, they are all so supportive, inspiring, and comforting.

“There's no luck in business. There's only drive, determination, and more drive.” ― Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

~Our business. After 16 years of hard work, we still have a thriving business. Sure, we've had our ups and downs, and some days are harder than others when the cash doesn't flow as smoothly as I need, but we are grateful for our customers and the ability to survive and offer a service to our community. 

“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” ― Napoleon Bonaparte

~YOU! Yes, you keep me posting on this blog. Just knowing that someone has taken the time to read my thoughts is the ultimate compliment. Thank you!

I wish you the happiest Thanksgiving, and I hope you get a chance to surround yourself with the people you love. Don't eat too much. And remember, I'll be thinking of you. 

Before you go back to listening to that ridiculously early Christmas music, why not share something you are thankful for?

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Abundantly Juicy Creativity

               

My inspiration comes from just about everywhere:

A line of dialogue:

 "There's a lotta things about me you don't know anything about, Dottie. Things you wouldn't understand. Things you couldn't understand."
- PEE-WEE HERMAN (Paul Reubens) in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)

A word:

A magazine ad:

A photo:

A face:

At the rate my ideas flow, I should have twenty published novels, three short story anthologies, a book of poems, and a daily blogpost. 

Unfortunately, all those ideas are just written on scraps of paper, inside, pocket journals, on pages ripped from magazines, and kind of look like this:

All in a pile, waiting for the time when I can expand on the idea, flesh out the plot, fill in the blanks, put a name to those faces, and ask them, "Why?"

Yes, my ideas are boundless. I have enough to write for six lifetimes. 

Every so often, one of those faces climbs to the top of the pile, yells out their name and demands to be heard. (Usually when I'm just falling off to sleep.)

What gets your creative juices flowing?