Flexing My Creative Muscles

By Evelyn On March 6, 2012 · 1 Comment · In Creativity, Observations, Uncategorized, Writing

photo credit: creativity.com

In 2006 I proudly completed the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge, which entails writing a 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of the month of November. So, I’ve been holding on to this uncompleted novel-in-progress for the past almost six years now. I read it out loud to my man over the course of several evenings. It had been so long since I had written it, it was like reading it with fresh eyes. I surprised myself at how good it was. He really liked the story and he encouraged me to finish it and submit it to a publisher, so that’s what I’ve been doing lately.

This weekend, I got out two of my favorite writing books, Stein on Writing, and How to Grow a Novel, by Sol Stein. When I did a little bit of research about how to create a plot outline using index cards, I discovered this novel writing method called the Snowflake Method. With my ADD, I definitely need system or a method to follow, and Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method seems perfect for me. I did some work on the outline on Sunday afternoon, and I will devote a little bit of time each day this week to finishing the character outlines.

Given the fact that I am a professional writer who spends her entire day writing, it has been challenging for me to do creative writing in my down time, but I have found a few ways to circumvent that challenge. When I am doing client work, I sit at my desk in my work chair. I use my laptop and I type the words. During my creative down time I write in my bedroom, I write in my beautiful journal using a special pen, and I light a candle that burns while I work. It may sound silly, but changing my environment and my tools helps to put me in a whole different frame of mind when I approach my work.

Another way that creativity is having her say in my life is that I’m planning a creativity workshop with another writer. We are going to use Julia Cameron’s book, Walking in this World, which is the sequel to The Artist’s Way. That book had a tremendous impact on my life as a writer and an artist, so I’m thrilled to be teaching this workshop and hopefully helping to inspire our students to feel more free to express themselves in this world.

It really feels fabulous to have so many creative irons in the fire, so to speak. God is truly blessing my life with so much to be grateful for. When I am being creative it is a form of worship for me. God has given me this talent and this desire to write. Using the gifts He has blessed me with is a simple way for me to glorify Him.

I’ll be sure to post a link to the creativity workshops when we get them scheduled. Until then, you can find me working on my book.