Clear Your Own Space

If you're interested in pursuing the idea of clearing your own space, you can do no better than to check out Karen Kingston's book, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui.

Long-time subscribers of Writing Sparks will probably recall I've mentioned Karen Kingston before. She's is my own personal hero when it comes to Space Clearing. I've had her book for a number of years, and whenever I'm feeling particularly blocked, I pick it up, flip to the section where I need most help and instantly feel motivated. I usually don't read more than a page or two before I put the book down and start clearing something out.

I've tossed out stacks and stacks (and stacks) of magazines thanks to her. Even some of my prized books have made it to the charity box. Never mind the piles of clothes, trade show gifts and assorted other detritus. I'm don't yet have the uncluttered home I'd like, but I'm a lot closer than I have ever been, thanks in large part to this book.

Instead of getting the book, you can also visit her website at www.spaceclearing.com. Truth be told, however, I don't think her site really indicates how great her book is, so you may just want to trust me, and add this book to your personal collection.

Do You Want to Be a Millionaire or an Artist?

I think I've mentioned this website before, but its worth repeating. Gaping Void has a great list of 30 things to help you become more creative. These aren't the same old "stop and smell the flowers" items either. For example, Number 14. Dying young is overrated. Number 16. The world is changing. Even if you aren't looking to make big creative changes in your life, this is a handy how to list on living life to the fullest. www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/000876.html

(Writing Sparks Newsletter: 1/25/2008)

Vacuum Your Lungs

If you're feeling out-of-breath, nervous or stuck, and you just can't seem to move yourself along, you may want to take a second to "vacuum your lungs." This is a technique that helps cure breathlessness and is often used by opera singers before performing. Good too for those that just need to get a nice cleansing breath of fresh air before tackling a particularly troubling task, the technique basically "reboots" your lungs. Taking a few deep, cleansing breaths out of newly vacuumed lungs may be just the ticket to get your brain back in high gear.

www.ftrain.com/lungvacuuming.html


This article was posted in the August 3 issue of OnceWritten.com's Writing Sparks newsletter.

Brainstorm Your Way Out of Writers Block

If you're feeling stuck, or can't quite get the plot or story right, you may want to brainstorm your way out of your block. A paper posted at the University of North Carolina website gives students brainstorming ideas for writing term papers, but the principles apply to fiction writers as well.

From looking at similes to clustering/mapping/webbing to free writing, there are a number of great brainstorming topics outlined in this paper. www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/brainstorming.html

This article was posted in the July 20 issue of OnceWritten.com's Writing Sparks newsletter.

Trying to Do Too Much?

Like most creative types, you are probably trying to accomplish too many thing at once. Wearing the cap of worker, parent, friend, spouse, child, and numerous other labels is often in direct conflict with trying to wear the writer's mantle. Stress becomes a frequent companion when we try to to be perfect or even when we try to do too much. If you are looking for a way to de-stressify (not sure that's a word, but I like it) your life, visit the Ririan Project blog, for a posting on "Ten Commandments for a Stress-Free Life." Scroll down, past the Google ads, for a common sense reminder on how to live your own life to the fullest. www.ririanproject.com/2006/11/22/ten-commandments-for-a-stress-free-life/.

This article was posted in the May 1 issue of OnceWritten.com's Writing Sparks newsletter.

Do Something New Every Day

Many of the pundits suggest that a great way to become more creative is to do something new every day. While a daily novelty may be a hard schedule to keep, at least once a week try to fire up your creative juices by finding new things to do. If you're having a hard time coming up with new ideas, the Discover Fun website offers 1,200 suggestions (in 30 categories) of "Fun Things to Do." My favorite section is the spontaneous section. The part about asking people which direction to take made me think of the time my friend and I headed out on Sunset Boulevard with a video camera and told people that we were filming a movie. We just loved the responses we got when we asked them to be in our film. And I based a recent short story of mine on one of the people we met that day. www.discoverfun.com.

This article was posted in the April 9 issue of OnceWritten.com's Writing Sparks newsletter.

Get Motivated to Get Organized

Last year one of the most popular "Get Past the Block" columns was the one I wrote about clearing out your clutter. So take a look at those new year's resolutions (you are still doing them, right?) and if you had get organized or some variation on your list, visit the LifeOrganizers.com website to learn "20 Little Known Organizing Secrets Used by Professional Organizers."
www.lifeorganizers.com.

* * * *

Get Past the Block
OnceWritten.com offers weekly tips and suggestions to help get you motivated and moving beyond the things that block you. To sign up for a weekly shot of inspiration, subscribe to the OnceWritten.com Writing Sparks newsletter.

Need Creative Writing Prompts?
OnceWritten.com offers brand new, FREE, creative writing prompts every week. Feeling stumped in your writing? Check out the OnceWritten.com Free Creative Writing Prompts page.

"Doing Anything Worthwhile Takes Forever"

This is a great quote I found over at gapingvoid.com while searching an article over there entitled "How to be Creative." This article is not so much about getting out and painting nature while chewing on granola, but rather gives advice on the nuts and bolts of living a creative life.

It offers a lot of fabulous pieces of wisdom, such as "The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do and what you are not."

If you're feeling the need for inspiration, you should definitely check out this article at: www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/000876.html.


Get Past the Block
OnceWritten.com offers weekly tips and suggestions to help get you motivated and moving beyond the things that block you. To sign up for a weekly shot of inspiration, subscribe to the OnceWritten.com Writing Sparks newsletter.

Need Creative Writing Prompts
OnceWritten.com offers brand new, FREE, creative writing prompts every week. Feeling stumped in your writing? Check out the OnceWritten.com Free Creative Writing Prompts page.

Find Your Inner Artist

I'm often touting the importance of being creative in multiple channels. Writers can benefit from other right-brained activities such as drawing, painting, collage or other low-stress activities. What to do, though, if you are an art Klutz like me? Get a children's book and start from scratch. Seriously. One of my most favorite books on watercolor is the Klutz Watercolor for the Artistically Undiscovered. By painting like a child, you'll let go of all your disappointments that your first piece isn't the next Michelangelo. Once you forgive yourself for your crappy art first drafts, maybe you'll forgive yourself for your crappy first writing drafts as well. www.klutz.com/catalog/product/2101.



Get Past the Block
OnceWritten.com offers weekly tips and suggestions to help get you motivated and moving beyond the things that block you. To sign up for a weekly shot of inspiration, subscribe to the OnceWritten.com Writing Sparks newsletter.

Need Creative Writing Prompts
OnceWritten.com offers brand new, FREE, creative writing prompts every week. Feeling stumped in your writing? Check out the OnceWritten.com Free Creative Writing Prompts page.