You Fuel My Inspiration: Why Better Readers Make Better Writers

If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others:

read a lot and write a lot.

~ Stephen King

June is the FLX/WordCount Blogathon!  Join us for 30 Days of blogging madness!

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riters who read are better writers.

Well-written books and articles inspire you to hone your own writing skills; they give you something to aspire to and emulate.

Poorly written books and articles ~ besides raising your grammar hammer blood pressure ~ also teach you what to avoid.  You learn (hopefully) from others’ mistakes.

The Chorus and the Solo

So saying, did you read my post yesterday?  That post came about because I read an article.  If I hadn’t read that article on Image, I wouldn’t have been inspired to write my own take on the issue of memories and de-cluttering.

In writing, as with any art that involves words and ideas, it is the exchange that fuels my inspiration.  Many writers say I can’t write because someone has already written about the subject.  But there are as many ways to look at an issue or problem or even just a piece of beautiful art as there are people.

Image credit: Google search

We each have our own song to sing ~ sometimes we sing with the chorus, sometimes we have a solo.  But we each add a unique layer to the song itself.  A layer that no one else can contribute.  

And sometimes, the notes we sing, inspire others to compose an entirely new song.

What potential for a beautiful harmony that makes!

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

So what have you read recently that fired your imagination and got your fingers flying across the keyboard or the page?  Please share!

I is for I forgot: Capturing Ideas in the Moment and Using A-Z for Writing Prompts

The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Back in January, I began the One Page a Day Challenge and immediately threw away my quill.  Now in April, I’m participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge and prepping for a Wilderness Writers’ Retreat.  I need ink, a stiff drink and therapy.

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ut of sight, out of mind. Strike while the iron is hot.  Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do RIGHT NOW.

Okay, I fudged that last one just a wee bit.  But that’s how I roll.  Or how I should roll.

Because I would forget to go to the dunny if I didn’t have a built in reminder.

For instance, for this post, I had several great ideas and rock star lines.  But I didn’t immediately write them down.  Now, they’re just ~ poof ~ gone.

Nada.

No more.

I need a damn intern to help me keep track of all my to-dos and didn’ts, and don’ts, and darn-it-all-I-have-should-haves. Damn, that’s a lot of D's for an “I” day. (As opposed to a “me” day, which is something very different.)

I is for Instant

Maybe I have mild ADD.  Maybe I need a vacation (4 months, 20 days). Maybe I need to limit my time plugged in to the Matrix.  Whatever it is, the best option for me is to do Action A when I think of Action A.  But when that isn't feasible, I have to write it down.  Because if I don’t, I forget. 

Image credit: Sue Langley

And sometimes, even then, I don’t remember. 

The good thing about this issue of mine, is that I live in the moment by default.  The bad thing is that I’m so forgetful, that I think, “Oh, I’ll get to that tomorrow, I have to do X, Y, and Z today.”

And A, B, and C lie a-molderin’ in the grave of good intentions. 

Capturing Ideas on the Wing

This is hit-me-in-the-head evident with this blogging challenge.  I've already come up with ideas for C posts, D posts, even H posts (which gave me such heartburn).  I’m writing them down in a spreadsheet (because you know I’m an Excel nerd) for future posts.  

The flow of ideas has been so constant, that I’m considering an Alphabet post blogging calendar.  I may not post them in order, but the ideas are there for the writing.

Now, if only I can remember to look at the calendar….

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

Are you an out of sight, out of minder?  To do lister?  What keeps you on track and on point?

A Pin is Worth a Thousand Words: Finding the Narrative

But there's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking.

~ Mitch Albom, For One More Day

In December, I am continuing (barely) to participate in the Two Pages-a-Day writing challenge.  And trying desperately to get in a holiday mood.

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arratives can be found anywhere.

The other night I had a dream that was literally a narrative.  There were two characters walking towards me as if towards a camera, and narrating away like my dream was a Nat Geo docudrama.

Those are the days I wish I slept hooked up to a sci-fi machine that could transcribe your dreams as they’re happening.  On the other hand, this also might be rather terrifying for the people reading them.  Or titillating.  Depends on what I read, ate, or watched before going to bed.

But not all stories come from dreams.  Sometimes, they come from Pinterest.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words…Literally

Or to be more specific, a picture I saw on Pinterest.

Because let’s be honest, all of us who have been sucked into the black hole that is Pinterest know we spend way too much time drooling over Dream Homes, Dream Vacations, Ideal Bathrooms, and Healthy Recipes to Reach Our  Ideal Weight.

All while munching on a carbalicious cupcake in a dimly lit, 1980s creeptastic kitchen, in a ratty bathrobe.

And that’s when the real magic happens.

Image credit: Pinterest

Take this picture.

Normal people see a beautiful scene and think, “Ahhh, I would love to travel to Portugal some day….”

Not me.  Nooooo.  I saw it and thought:

Enjoy your stay in a romantic bed and breakfast, with a breathtaking view.  What you don’t know is that the room is so cramped, that only a small cot fits in there along with the romantically placed table and chairs.  Said chairs turn your butt into a numb pile of ricotta cheese, and one chair leg bent in half the first time you sat on it.  And then there is smog and car fumes drifting in through the window.  Which causes you to choke on the hard roll and tar-like coffee that passes for breakfast in Europe.

See?  Narrative.  Snarky, MST3K narrative, but narrative nonetheless.

Now, I could have chosen to take this narrative in a completely different direction.  Perhaps this is the hotel room of a potential murder victim.  Or of a woman trying to get over heartbreak or trauma. You are only limited by your imagination.

And possibly the amount of snark brought on by what you dreamed about or just ate.

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

What narratives do you see around you right now?  Keep a watch out ~ they’re happening all the time!

Top Five Friday: Autumn Writing Prompts

Fall has always been my favorite season.

The time when everything bursts with its last beauty,

as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.

~ Lauren DeStefano, Wither

In October, I am writing about all things autumnal: from art to spooky books, author interviews, recipes, and autumn-inspired writing prompts AND participating in the Two Pages-a-Day writing challenge.

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celebrate the beginning of a new year nine to ten months later than everyone else.

January just yawns, snorts, and rolls over in dreamless hibernation.  But Autumn shouts “new beginning.”  The crisp air, the shortening days, the longer nights, and the changing leaves.  Not to mention, my favorite part of autumn: pumpkin everything.  It is a season of joy and peace.  Anyone who has ever sat in front of a bonfire or at a pig roast recognizes the feeling of contentment and peace conjured by the word autumn.

For today’s Top Five, I offer five writing prompts steeped in the essence of autumn.  Then choose one or all and post your creation on your blog or in the comments!

Nature

Take a walk in the woods or a park (that isn’t closed by the incompetence of Capitol Hill and the White House) and listen to the sounds of Mother Nature.  Write a poem incorporating those sounds.

Image credit: Pinterest

City Streets

Walk around the historic streets of your hometown, or closest city.  Write a short story that takes place on that street.

Character Sketch

Grab a cup of coffee or tea at your favorite mom and pop coffee shop and spend an hour people watching.  Write a character sketch based on your observations.

Essaying Fan Fiction

Read an essay by John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, or Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Now update it to reflect 21^st century concerns. (You may be surprised how little has changed ~ sadly!)

Blind Appreciation

Using only the sense of smell and touch, describe autumn to someone who has never seen it.

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela