Writers And Readers Websites Wednesday - Enchanted Mind

The mind is a wonderful thing and if you are a Writer, a Reader or both it can be a fantastic playground. Our brains are amazing!

So, today I give mention to a website called Enchanted Mind. Their tagline is "Magic Happens" and they have lots of categories to explore like humor, brain, mind, inspiration, creativity and more.  Don't you love the 'and more' - well sometimes the list can just get too long with categories and subcategories.  Head on over and explore a bit yourself.  Watch the short videos, explore, learn things, and if you're a writer, maybe get a fresh new idea.

And don't forget to tell me what you think in the comments below.

Writers Don't Wait For Inspiration

 “You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”

― Jack London

One of my favorite quotes on writing.

I don’t know how many writers still carry that image in their heads that a writer sits around contemplating until struck with a brilliant ideas at which point said writer begins to write in earnest. Hopefully not many.

I don’t know how many readers also have that same image of writers in their heads.

To both camps I say, get it out. Stomp that idea to death and do it now.

Hemingway had it closer with his famous quote, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

Combine that first quote above with the second and it’s something closer to what writing is all about.

Seriously, you can’t sit and wait for ‘inspiration’, you have to pursue it, look for it, grab it when it comes your way. If your muse is busy, read something that might spark an idea, take a brisk walk, play with your dog. Do something that relaxes and inspires you and throws that door open to new ideas.

Staring off into space can be you conjuring an idea, but if all you’re doing IS staring off into space, you need to get moving. Stir the pot!

Sometimes it’s as simple as tossing words onto paper, type something or write something, anything, then follow with more words. A full-blown idea just might kick in.

But whatever you do, don’t think sitting around, waiting, will do it for you. Some ideas strike out of the blue, others need to be tracked down and subdued.

Because an idea doesn’t come to you easily don’t think if you simply wait long enough it will.

It won’t.

Part of the trick is always remaining open to new ideas and experiences; always think of the ways of the world as grist for your mill. If you’re continually ‘tuned in’ ideas flow much more easily. There really is nothing magic about the muse hitting you over the head with a fresh, new idea. You’re generating them all the time and there’s no end to strange, interesting, funny and bizarre happenings and behaviors to feed your need.

Hey, writing standing up doesn’t hurt either!

So, get up, grab a club and go after that muse.

Writer Unchained – Vacation time

I, a full-time writer, just got back from vacation, yes a real vacation; got on a plane, flew across the country, landed in Florida and had a blast.

Why am I telling you, my faithful readers this?

Because while on this wonderful trip, and it was a blow-out in Disney World, I couldn’t help remembering how many times I’ve beaten that old drum, how many times I’ve mentioned, tweeted, blogged about the fact that writers need a break.

It’s extremely easy to fall into a locked in habit of writing every spare minute, pushing hard, working toward that goal, believing it’s the only way to get there. There was a time in my life when I did the same thing, thought the same way. I pushed every spare minute, wrote every time I had time off from what was then a full-time job. Put everything on hold but the writing.

I don’t regret it, BUT, looking back, knowing the things I know now, I wonder (no scratch that, I’m pretty sure) I would have gotten to where I wanted to be a little faster, with a little less stress and a lot more fun if I’d given myself permission to take a real day off, to take a real vacation.

So I’m here to tell you, the voice of experience, back off a bit you’re a writer; there’s more to life than what’s on your computer screen even if most everyone who’s reading your stuff is reading it on Kindle, Smashwords or Nook.

That doesn’t mean you should go into extravagant debt to go on a first-class, over-the-top vacation, but it does mean, within your means, you need to take a break. Hopefully frequent day breaks and when you can manage it, longer ones. This last vacation for me was about eight days. If I hadn’t been able to swing the expense I would have taken the time off writing and working just the same, disconnected from electronics (save a single cell phone I turned on twice a day to check for emergencies, of which there were none) and spent time locally, just walking around, maybe taking in some movies and eating at some not good for you fast food restaurant a couple of times.

What it boils down to is it’s good to shake off the everyday. It’s good to go out and experience what’s going on in the world, to people watch, to relax, unclench and let things go. Every break refreshes the writer and the person in you. Then you can get back to work, feel good and be even more productive!

Yep, I gave up my electronics, but I held on to a small notebook, jotted a few story ideas when all that frivolity sparked my imagination and I’m ready to get back to it.

Take my advice. It’s good for you – no matter who you are, no matter what you do. Find the time, find the way to give yourself a break.

Tracking The Wild Writer's Ideas

Many writers are so brimming with ideas it’s hard to know how to choose one and continue on, spinning that one story when so many other clamor for attention. 

Other writers are great at the writing part, but are hard pressed to come up with that first idea; that seed from which to grow the organic story they dream of. 

And writers who are published or screenwriters produced are forever being asked, “Where do you get your ideas?” 

So, since I have time only for a short post today I decided to toss out a few ideas on how to come up with those ideas. 

Most good writers are curious. They’re forever asking “What is it?” or “What could it be?” or “What if?” From this curiosity comes wonderful ideas, and those ideas come at all times. The trick is to catch them, get them pinned down down. Keep a note pad at your bedside, in your pocket, in your purse, backpack, whatever.  Stories don’t generally spring forth full-blown. Usually an idea or a premise precedes them. A word can spark an idea. Jot it down, more words will follow.

“What if” is the gate to a magical world. Daydream. Imagine. “What if” vampires were not dark and evil, but good, strong and protectors of the human race? Check out SherrilynKenyon’s Dark-Hunter series of romances. What if a young boy in winning a video game unknowingly wins the war against aliens attacking earth? Check out Orson ScottCard’s Ender’s Game and the series that follows. What if wolves could bond with humans and communicate telepathically? Check out my novel Stormrider. What if Bears once ruled the earth and the conscious memory of that time is returning to them – hey go write that one for yourself.

Some writers need to map out their entire book or script before they begin. Others work best on the fly. Writing, generating a story, creates many of its own surprises. If you’re the kind who works best on the fly you’ll find your characters will take on lives of their own and they’ll surprise you with where they take the story you begin. Surprise - this happens with those who ‘map their course’ as well.

You might see a photo in a magazine or the newspaper. Clip it out. Put it where you can see it. Wait and see what ideas might come. 

You might overhear a phrase spoken in public. Write it down. Think about what it might mean, who said it, what the context is. Does it make you feel there is something going on there, something not visible on the surface? Pursue it. Jot down notes. Some of the most disjointed notes come together to form ideas and from ideas spurts of creative inspiration.

As Ray Bradbury once said, “You don’t build a story, you allow it to explode.” I’m kinda with Ray.

Ideas are everywhere, open your eyes

·      Read a lot

·      observe people

·      take time to daydream 

No kidding. Have at it. 

Seven Places For Wtiters To Find Their Inpiration

Being a writer means spending a lot of time behind a computer screen even while we realize that finding inspiration, fresh new ideas, means getting away from the computer. Still, many of us don't don't do it, risking losing motivation, inspiration and even writer's block. Whether you write stories, scripts, articles or anything that requires new viewpoints, new ideas, new subjects, getting out and about is the way to spark that creativity.

When you think about it, most of our best ideas comes to us when we're away from the computer, when we're simply outside in the fresh air or taking a shower, or listening to a favorite song. Sometimes when you're least expecting it an epiphany fires off like lightning, but that doesn't mean we can't go looking for it. 

 

And don't think it's just for writers. Using your brain, seeing new things, hearing new ideas is good for anyone. Readers, writers, expanding human being – get yourself out there.

So, today I started ruminating on places where it's likely to catch up with an idea, something new, something not waiting for a writer behind that computer screen and here's the short list I came up with. No doubt you can add greatly to it if you give it a little thought.

1. A Train Station. It's a good place to expose yourself to people running hither and yon, busy, lots of conversations. People going to work. People setting off to meet loved ones. Others out for a day of fun or on errands. Even more fun to get on one and take a ride, especially in you're in an area with a commuter train. We have one here. Can take my laptop along, make notes as I cock an ear and listen. Even the atmosphere is conducive to sparking new ideas. Writer's immersion and people watcher's delight.
   
   
2. An Airport does much the same. Not so easy to get on a plane though, unless you're really headed off for some destination. Still, just visiting a local airport, hanging out, getting a coffee can be great fun and a good kick to your writer's muse.
    
3. Got a beach near you? Kick off your shoes and wander the sand for a bit. Not only do you get to see some interesting characters (waaaay interesting sometimes) and pick up fascinating snatches of conversation, but the warm sand under your feet, the rolling of the waves is relaxing all by itself and relaxation invites the muse in. It's also a great place for readers to kick back and enjoy the latest book while reclining in the sand.
   
   
4. Have you visited a playground lately? There's lots going on there if it's a popular one. Kids, large and small, parents, irritating teens. The bucolic and the possibly threatening. Sit on a bench. Open your eyes and ears. Read a book or write a bit on your tablet or laptop, then focus again and see what you pick up. Oh, and try not to look like you're stalking the children.
    
5. Got a local college? Then head on over. They have their own bookstores, coffee gathering places and you might even consider taking a class or auditing one or just attending a public lecture. Lots going on here to give you ideas. Lots of writer fodder and plenty for readers and everyone else who enjoys learning.
    
6. The Gym may sound like a weird place to get ideas for writing or just some serious people watching but if you're exercising (and I'm guessing that's why you're at a gym in the first place) you're burning off anger, frustration and emotion. You're also out there with other people who're probably doing the same. Writers can definitely pick up on new ideas here as they work out their own frustrations.
    
7. The Big City. If you live in one you know what it's like every day in the sea of humanity. If you don't, it's great place for writers to visit to get into the bustle of it all. And, if that city has some high places – head upward, give yourself a new perspective, look down on it all for a while. Get thee to a rooftop. New York? The Empire State Building is still a fantastic place to go look out at it all. Not to mention the tourists you'll be packed in with while riding the elevators to the top.

I've offered a few places to get yourself away from the computer and spark some new ideas. There are lots more like visiting a foreign country, going to the mall, or just taking a walk in the countryside. Even walking around inside your own house and being determined to see with new eyes.

So, tell me, what kinds of things do you do, where do you go to inspire yourself, to spark new ideas? I'd love to hear about them. Post them in the comments below.