writing

Lists, Lists, Lists

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Someone asked me the other day where I write. I quickly answered, “In my home office.” But, that simple question got me thinking about the endless possibilities of places to write that would be relaxing, inspirational, or energizing. And before I knew it, I was generating a list for future reference which I thought I would share, here. Sometimes a simple change of scenery might be just what you need to kick-start your writing day.

I closed my eyes and started my list at home: on a lounge chair in the backyard under a leafy tree; in the comfy reading chair in the bedroom; at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee; on the sofa in my husband’s “Man Cave” (television off and when he’s at work, of course); floating on a raft in the swimming pool.

I expanded my space to include my neighborhood: at the common area we call the “park”; on a bench at the end of the street; at the table in a quaint little gazebo in the middle of our subdivision.

I came up with quite a few more as I enlarged my thoughts to include our entire city:  near the fish pond about a mile from my house; in the sports park (when no games are being played); at one of dozens of coffee houses throughout the city; on a porch swing; in a flower garden; near the sandbox where several children are quietly playing; near a waterfall; in a mall or the corner of a bookstore.

Since I love to travel, I began to think of inspiring places which could easily be compiled into a writing bucket list: sitting near Niagara Falls; overlooking the ocean; in a warm cabin with snow falling outside; on a deserted island; on a sailboat; in the rainforest; at the top of Mount Everest; at the base of the Statue of Liberty; at the President’s desk in the White House; in an art museum; on an airplane; in a hot air balloon; on the porch of the Grand Hotel on Macinac Island.

That list led, conveniently, to when I could write: at sunset; at dawn; during a blizzard; in the middle of the night; after a good meal; on a spring morning.

When’s the best time to write, emotionally?  When I am extremely happy; sad; feeling ‘blue’; lonely; angry; frustrated—any intensely emotional time.

I found that I could keep making—and adding to—list after list. I plan to reread them when my inspiration seems to be depleted. When ideas aren’t coming as fast, and as clear, as I feel they should. Using them to give me that spark—that edge.

So, thanks for the original question. I think I’d better grab that cup of coffee, walk down to the gazebo, and get to work. How about you? Care to try some place new and inspirational?

Have a great day!

Brenda

Doing What I Love Best

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

“Write, write, write. It seems like that’s all you do, anymore. You should let yourself have a little fun, now and then!”  I’ve heard these words many times over the past few years. If you’re a committed writer, I’m sure you have, too.

Yes, it IS hard work—and yes, it CAN feel like solitary confinement, at times, but it really IS what I want to be doing. It IS fun!

I think of things I could be doing, instead of writing: cleaning house, exercising, paying bills, doing laundry, grocery shopping, pulling weeds… Okay, okay, so I have deliberately tried to create a pretty non-appealing list.

To be fair, I’ll list only things I enjoy. Here goes: reading, window shopping, people watching, decorating, singing (don’t worry, I won’t inflict my voice upon any of you), eating out, and writing. Oops, how did writing get on this list?

Well, I told you I like writing! Really, I do! It’s the act of digging deeper into myself, asking more and more of myself, learning more about myself while creating characters that are exciting, whimsical, hilarious, endearing, and even scary at times. It is the telling of their stories—their hopes, disappointments, dreams, accomplishments— that is so compelling.

As I ready myself for writing each day (cup of coffee, comfy slippers, overhead fan on “low”, snack waiting in the fridge) I hear the voices of my characters call to me. I see their faces and feel their impatience. They are anxious for their stories to be told.

So, I set aside my laundry until later, allow the weeds to grow just a little taller, put something on the counter to defrost for dinner, and hope there is time at the end of the day for a quick walk around the block. I warm my cup of coffee in the microwave and head for my office.

I click on the overhead fan, rest my fingers on the keyboard, and close my eyes. A few minutes later, I pause, satisfied that I’ve made the right choice for my day.

Then, I start in again, doing what I love best.

Brenda

Please visit my other blogs at spiritualsnippets.com and 5scribesandtheirstories.com

Personal Writing Motto

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Recently, I’ve read quite a few articles on when, and how often, to write. Authors are giving advice which varies on # of words to write per day, # of days to write per week, and “free”/ “break” days from writing. They give opinions on where to sit while writing, how often to get up and take a walk, optimal lighting, inspiring background music, even which fabrics are the most comfortable.

Nike says “Just Do It”. IMAX offers: “Think Big”. Sony uses the slogan: “Make Believe.” Energizer’s is: “Keeps going and going and going.” Kodak: “Share moments. Share Life.” ; Yellow Pages: “Let your fingers do the walking;” Taco Bell: “Think Outside the Bun;” Pizza Hut: “Make it great;” fitspholic.tumblr.com states: “Turn Intentions to Actions.”

So what advice could I possibly have to offer? I’m glad you asked. This is my personal writing motto: always write what you will be proud to reread some 20+ years from now. Write the truth, without prejudice or malice; write from the heart; write words that honor God.

Keep plugging along. Don’t give up. Push forward. See it through. Move ahead.

Don’t click on “publish” until you are sure: it’s spelled right, it looks right, it sounds right. And when mistakes come (as they inevitably will), extend yourself the grace to forgive your own humanness and imperfections.

Then, get yourself back to the keyboard. It’s a brand new day. See it from a fresh perspective. Write from your soul. Say it with heart.

Brenda

When Dreams Become Reality

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

So, you’re a relatively new writer, like myself. You’re halfway through your first book and you come up for air. You think it’s time you find out what publishing is all about. The first article you read stops you cold. It says you need to start the process of self-promotion: getting your name out there. Becoming recognizable in the world of the written word. Join the club.

The revelation that you cannot just simply crank out page after page, but actually have to turn to the social media machine that you have been avoiding (because it potentially could suck up all of your writing time) hits you like a ton of bricks. The fact that you only feel comfortable with reading your emails and using your word processing program only compounds the panic that wells up inside you.

You reread the article. You read a few more, hoping against hope that you have misunderstood. But, nope. The message is loud and clear. What to do, now?

You could run, bury your head in the sand, pack it up, give up the dream. But, do you really want to do that? Could you even do that? I mean, fight the compulsion to sit in front of your computer, daily, and let your fingers walk you into that “other world” you create in your mind? That other world that beacons to you, each day? That world that offers you solace, a creative outlet, challenges you to look deep within, inspires you to become more than you ever thought possible?

I didn’t think so. Me neither.

So, you attack the overwhelming task ahead: marketing yourself. Building a platform. Putting your ego aside. Inviting criticism through your door. Fighting your insecurities. Finding a voice. Calming those fears of rejection and perhaps being misunderstood at times. And, braving the world of the technologically-challenged.

But, not for long. Because you’ll wake up one day in the not-too-distant future and put your name into your computer’s search bar and it will pop up. You’ll get a few emails that give notice that you’ve acquired some followers—some, even, in other countries! You’ll read positive comments to your posts. You’ll get encouragement from friends and family.

Your dream—you know, the one that’s been sitting inside you, germinating for a few decades—is coming to fruition. You are suddenly on the brink of a whole new life, filled with endless possibilities.

All because you dare to write. To challenge yourself. To share all of who you are with anyone viewing your website—anyone who is curious to learn what you’ve got going. What you bring to the table that no one else does in quite the same way.

We’re writers—and life doesn’t get any better than that!

Brenda

Please visit my other blogs at spiritualsnippets.com and 5scribesandtheirstories.com