That's right, exercise. I know for many of you, myself included, exercise is a "four-letter" word. However, like so many not so fun things, it's become a necessary evil. In fact, I'm in the process of making it an important part of my daily routine. As I type this, I rejoice I don't have to lift my arms and that only my fingers have to move right now:-)Just as our bodies need exercise, so do our creative muscles. So today, let's give them a good working out. Here's some ideas...
Write something for one of our flash fiction contests. You can find the guidelines here. This month it's not really flash or fiction so check it out. Everyone has a "true-life" experience to share.
Write in a different genre than you normally do. For example, write romance? Why not try mystery or horror?
Don't do nonfiction? Give it a try...you may like it. Write about something that happened during your childhood or something you saw on your way to town not long ago.
Workout at the mall or shopping center. Listen to conversations around you or people watch. Try to decide the occupations of those who pass by. That scruffy looking guy in overalls...the ones with that dark stain on the pants leg...is it blood or ??? Why does that guy wearing the expensive suit and tie have seriously scuffed shoes? And where is that woman going in such a hurry?
Browse greeting cards and pick several with interesting pictures on the front. Use them as story settings. I've included a pix above. Decide who lives behind the fence and is the fence keeping someone in or others out.
Glance at the headlines of the newspaper. No telling what may jump out at you.
There are so many ways to exercise your creative muscles. I've only listed a few so let us know your favorite ways to workout those muscles. Don't let life get in the way of your creativity:-)
Now that you've warmed up reading this blog...go workout!
Jean
6 comments:
Jean, great post! That kind of exercise is the writer’s equivalent of stopping to smell the roses AND filling the well for our creative muse.
It’s funny that your topic for the day was about exercise. I just got back from doing a “treadmill and abs day” at the gym. YAY for me. It was the first day back after falling off the workout wagon in February (so much for that New Year’s Resolution). ;)
I’ve realized I have to stop considering exercise as a treat for getting my writing/work done. I’ve subscribed to the When/Then thinking for far too long: when I finish this…then I’ll workout… The writing/publishing/marketing never seems to come to a finishing point. So, I guess it’s all about finding a balance—exercising our creativity and our bodies.
Here’s wishing my WOW sisters a wonderful week of balance.
I didn't enter the summer contest, but the one this fall is a topic that relates to me.
I do have one question: Why is it stated that light-hearted reads are desired?
Hi Sarabeth,
That's a good question! I think it's always been there... perhaps we need to change it.
Actually, skirt! is looking for edgy material, or serious topics with a positive spin.
Thanks for bringing that to our attention. The best thing to do is to check out skirt! magazine's website and get a flavor for the types of material they publish... if you're going for the grand prize of publication in there mag. ;-) There's a link on the contest page.
Best of 'luck'!! (pun intended)
Hugs,
Angela
Thank you for the quick reply, Angela. I asked that question because I am at a time in my life when I cannot write anything light-hearted. Coming from my fingertips, it appears silly. One day.
I've been struggling to write every day. Not writer's block but the dreaded oh-my-God-my-life-sucks syndrome. My brain can't even imagine being published.
Thanks for some much needed inspiration and an extra nudge to keep putting my writing goals at the top of my to-do list every single day.
blessings,
julia
www.ablindingheart.com
tips and resources for writers
Whew! So relieved I don't have to actually exercise. (Well, except for my fingers on the keyboard. Wonder how many calories per hour that burns.)
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