Sometimes we can get into a rut and find it difficult to be creative. For example, I sometimes have the urge to write, but when I sit down at my keyboard I find there aren’t any words. I simply can’t get started. What I’ve learned is that I occasionally have to stimulate my creativity. Sort…
Another Way To Look At Mistakes [Creativity]
I don’t make mistakes when I write. I make spontaneous creative decisions. At least, that’s what I like to tell myself. We all make mistakes when we write or work on a creative project. Typos, grammatical errors, mistyping a character’s name, or even letting the narrative wander off into the weeds. My question is: are…
Bidding Farewell to 2021
Wow, two weird years in a row. It feels like 2020 and 2021 sort of blended together, one being the continuation of the other. At least this year we had a vaccine to help differentiate it from its predecessor. Personally, it was a year of big change. There were some deaths in the family, new…
Cookbook Roundup! [Cooking]
Despite the disproportionate number of recipe blogs that pop up in my search suggestions, I’m still a fan of the traditional cookbook. In fact, I have about thirty or so lining a couple of bookshelves in my kitchen. Yes, I have a bookcase in my kitchen. And in my living room. And bedroom. And home…
Daily Writing Goals [Writing]
Is it useful to set a daily writing goal for yourself? I’ve been giving this question some thought lately. I’ve read that many published authors set a daily number-based writing goal for themselves. For example, they push themselves to write four thousand words a day, and they can’t stop until they hit that mark. Doesn’t…
Review – The Electric State [Books]
I first discovered Simon Stalenhag when I stumbled upon some of his art posted on a message board. It immediately caught my attention. The image was of a young girl and a small robot standing in what looked like an airplane hanger. To one side, sitting in shadow, were the remains of a giant, decaying…
Productive Procrastination [Creativity]
I recently stumbled upon a term I hadn’t heard before: Productive Procrastination. The basic definition is when someone is productive as a way to avoid doing some other productive endeavor. Weird, right? But I get it. I know I’m guilty of it myself. I’ve caught myself working on a blog post instead of editing a…
Gift Ideas for Writers [Writing]
Buying gifts for writers can be easy. Most people simply buy us books or give us gift certificates to book stores, which is perfectly fine. I love buying books, supporting my fellow writers, and helping out local bookstores. Of course, that can also become repetitious and you may want to do something different for your…
Initiating Change [Mental Health]
I’m a firm believer that we are all a result of our lives up to this point in time, and that regardless of our current situation, we’re all capable of change. What I mean is, everything we experience in our lives, the good and the bad, the positive and negative, has made us who we…
Self-Promotion [Creativity]
My least favorite part of being a writer and creator is self-promotion. It makes me uncomfortable. I’m one of those people who finds it hard to brag and sell myself. I have no problem in selling other people’s work, promoting them and their endeavors, but for myself, well, it’s awkward. I feel that my writing…