Top 3 Music Choices to Inspire Creativity (Erin)

I must confess, I haven’t had much time for writing lately. Well, to be more accurate, I haven’t had a lot of time to pursue my own writing lately. I’ve devoted lots of time to reading student writing, which I also love, but I am looking forward to summer, when I am hoping to tackle a revising project and finish my second manuscript.

Whether I am writing, revising, or reading student work, I find I often want to listen to music, but, as an introvert, too many words tend to annoy me. And, as much as I love fantasy soundtracks, (see my March 11 post) I sometimes feel like they influence what I am writing too much. Since I know the movies so well, I can get distracted as I remember the scenes that go with the music, and movie themes or character choices start to infiltrate my own writing.

Instead, the choices below allow me space to be creative, but also are enjoyable and keep the room from being too quiet.

3. Enya Watermark: Like a great bowl of macaroni and cheese, I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow Watermark. This is only her second album, but the mix of relaxing songs in English and Gaelic is timeless. Listening reminds me of sitting in a window in the early morning, being fascinated by the designs the steam from my cup of coffee makes in the soft sunlight. I like to listen to Enya at the start of a writing session, when my brain needs to wake up a bit.   

2. Classical Minnesota Public Radio: MPR is one of my most common choices, (unless they happen to be playing an opera). I enjoy many styles of classical music, and even the radio announcers have soothing voices. The unpredictability of the host’s music selections keeps me focused and awake, which is helpful when I am tired and tempted to zone out, but have scheduled myself for a three-hour writing (or correcting) session.

1. Scarfboy  00255 Part One: Definitely the most modern selection, this album was just released May 11, but has already become a favorite. “A collection of songs inspired by shades of the color blue,” I enjoy listening to 00255 Part One from start to finish. Beginning with “Christening” and ending with “Doxology,” the album calls to mind space, the ocean, and even includes a bit of guided relaxation  in “Ataraxia.” The unified progression of songs leads me to a more tranquil space where I can pay attention to writing and reading, instead of lists and deadlines. You can listen to the album at bandcamp.com.

What do you listen to when you write? Do you prefer music with words, movie soundtracks, or instrumental music? Leave a comment and let us know!

Write Anyway! (Hannah)

As we near the end of the school year, my life is extremely busy, leaving little time for hobbies and other non-scholarly pursuits.  Like writing.  And blogging.  So I apologize in advance - today's post is not going to be an in depth article on worldbuilding.

Instead, I want to encourage you to write even if your schedule is busy.  Even in the most stressful times, when you are cramming for finals or struggling to get everything finished on time, or perhaps just trying to keep up with all the plans and schedules that have been made for you, it is not good or healthy to focus solely on your responsibilities.  Over time, your productivity will decrease, you will grow even more stressed, and it may be difficult to find the motivation to keep going.  

Instead, take a few minutes to do something you love.  Even better, take a few minutes to write.  Just a half an hour or so can be relaxing, help give your mind a rest from rigorous tasks, and maybe help you see things in a new light.  Sometimes, creativity is exactly what we need when we are faced with a difficult problem.

So, here is the challenge:

Take 30 minutes to write.

It can be today, over the weekend, or preferably as a bit of a breather between periods of high stress and rigorous work.  I find lunch breaks work well.  

Write something just for fun.

Not all writing is created equal.  Sometimes, planning, plotting, and editing can be just as rigorous and logical as the work you are taking a break from.  Instead, write something purely for enjoyment.  Whether it has to do with your main story or not, it can improve your writing overall.  Be honest: when was the last time you were so caught up in the magic of a story that you couldn't stand to leave?  For me, I mainly find that feeling in the process of putting words on paper and seeing something unfold in front of my eyes.  Planning, plotting, and editing are necessary for polishing, but they aren't nearly as good at stress relief, relaxation, and creativity as the writing itself, at least for me.

What if your main project isn't at a point where you can just write something new?  Then write something else!  Perhaps take your characters and set them up in unlikely scenarios - you will be surprised what you can learn about them.  Maybe a new person encounters your setting.  What about writing a fluff scene between some of your favorite characters, just for fun?  If you are willing to step away from your main project entirely, you are free to scribble down whatever you want.  Perhaps writing something new will open your mind about what you are currently writing.

Don't abandon writing because your schedule gets busy.

Yes, writing can take time away from other things you should be doing.  But if writing is really your passion, then it is a good idea to preserve it, even for just a few minutes every couple of days.  Whenever NaNoWriMo rolls around for me, I get so excited about my story.  I get caught up in the flow of the action, the characters, and the setting all appearing on the page right in front of me as my fingers struggle to keep up with my mind.  And then... Christmas, and school is starting again, and there is always something more urgent than writing.  At least for me, the most revealing fact is that all through November, I'm also studying for midterms, which come in the first week of December.  Somehow, I manage to find time to write 50,000 words in one of my busiest months.  

A big part of that is motivation, and to be honest, I do little besides NaNoWriMo and schoolwork in November, but the point stands - during that one month, I prioritize writing and manage to make it work with my very busy schedule.  Yet, through the rest of the year, whenever things get busy, writing is one of the first things to disappear.  If I am going to call myself a writer, this should not be the case.  Even just a few minutes of writing for fun during lunch or before bed can be enough to keep the excitement going, maintain a habit of writing no matter what, and give me an excuse to unwind while doing something I love.

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Do you have trouble writing when life gets busy?  What do you do to preserve time for your most favorite activities when the rest of your schedule seems to be conspiring against your free time?

Thanks for reading!  As always, questions, comments, opinions, and ideas are always welcome in the comments. If there is any particular topic that would help you in your worldbuilding, please go ahead and mention it down below. I always want to write posts that are useful and interesting, so request away!

~ Hannah

Top Three Fantasy Soundtracks (Erin)

As you know by now, I love fantasy books and movies. But what can you do when real life intrudes on your ability to spend an entire day escaping into the worlds of books and movies?

Listen to music, of course. I enjoy lots of types of music, but these are my favorite fantasy albums:

Honorable Mention: (Shhh. . .I am cheating!)  The Hunger Games: Songs of District 12 and Beyond

This compilation by various artists is loud, energetic and inspiring. It makes household chores go faster, and always makes me want to be brave. However, it is too distracting for me to listen to while writing or grading papers, so it falls just short of my Top 3s list.



 
Three: How to Train Your Dragon by John Powell: This album is full of hope displayed in almost-Celtic sounding strings, and never fails to make me smile. My favorite track is "Forbidden Friendship," which shows the beginning of Hiccup's unlikely friendship with Toothless.






Two: Harry Potter by John Williams: John William's magical music makes frequent use of bells and chimes, which are synonymous with Halloween and magic at my house. Don't worry--we don't cast any spells, or enchant anyone, but we do enjoy planning costumes, treats and fall fun for our friends and neighbors (and we make a great butter beer--non-alcoholic, of course). 

One: The Hobbit by Howard Shore: I love listening to this album when I sit down to work on a scene in my Work In Progress. It captures the wandering spirit of adventurers, and inspires me to take risks in my writing. Although I love the instrumental sounds, and two-CD length, my favorite track is "Song of the Lonely Mountain," by Neil Finn.
"We must awake, our lives to make, and in the darkness a torch we hold."


What are your favorite fantasy songs or albums? Leave a comment and let us know!

NaNo Tips: What Helps You Focus? (Hannah)

We're halfway through the month of November, when most people start to slow down and face difficulty in the challenge known as NaNoWriMo.  After working diligently for the first part of the month, the self-discipline and excitement are wearing thin.  This is when distractions are most powerful.  How do you fight through the distractions to stay "in the zone?"

Here are some of my favorite techniques for staying focused.

1. Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking keeps your brain from falling into and staying in "the zone."  Travis Bach, from the fantastic writing blog "Pretentious Title," explains why multitasking is the enemy of creativity.  He did such a great job that I will just refer you to his article and let him explain it: The Science of Protecting Your Creativity.

2. Don't Self-Edit (At least not during NaNoWriMo)

This one is a bit of a no-brainer.  If you are too busy thinking about, reconsidering, and changing what you have already written, you are not making any progress toward writing anything new.  We call the critical part of your brain the "Inner Editor," and while he is one of the most essential elements in writing a good story, he must be banished for the duration of NaNoWriMo if you are to have any hope of writing 50,000 words in one month.

3. Finish Other Commitments First 

I am a problem-solver.  I am happiest when I can figure out new, brilliant ways to solve whatever dilemma I happen to be facing.  I love plot holes because the elation that comes from finding creative solutions to them is one of the best parts of writing for me.  However, there is a dark side to this focus on solving problems.  If I spend my writing time thinking about the things I need to do later, I will not be nearly as productive with the task at hand: writing.  If I save writing for last, there won't be anything else to demand my time.

4. Alternatively, Make Writing Your First Activity

Contrary to the above, sometimes you are just too tired at the end of the day to write well.  Writing early in the morning, before you do anything else, can help take advantage of the early morning energy.  Especially if you are a morning person, writing early can help infuse you with enthusiasm and productivity.

5. Write In a Place With Few Interesting Things

My "cove" as I call it, even though it is my favorite place to work, is actually terrible for me.  I have a comfy recliner under my bunk bed, beside me are several shelves full of books and items important to me, and just ahead I have a wall covered in interesting pictures and certificates.  If I run into a place where I am struggling a little with my story, my eyes automatically wander, lingering on the other things in my room.  If I were in a more boring place, I would be forced to keep focused on my story since there wouldn't be anything else of value to do.

6. Tune Out Unpredictable Noise

I love silence.  I work best in silence.  When there is silence, I can clearly hear the thoughts that constantly occupy my head.  Unfortunately, it isn't always possible to achieve perfect silence.  Maybe you have noisy family members, write in a location that is busy (a library, a coffee shop, your workplace, etc.), or have other noise-related distractions nearby.  If silence is impossible, I go for the second best: familiar instrumental music.  If I know the songs well, it is easy to dismiss them as white noise, and there aren't any words to usurp the ones that flow from my head to the paper.

7. Take Breaks

This one seems counter-intuitive, but it is actually very effective.  I am the kind of person who likes to work, work, work until I have finished whatever I am working on.  I start schoolwork in the morning and work until dinnertime, when my mom forces me to come out.  (Or at least I used to.)  This works for a while, but the truth is it leads to burnout.  Oftentimes, it is best to schedule times to relax and let your brain rest.

8. Avoid People Who Care About You

I added this one because as I write this post, I have been interrupted by my sister needing my help, my dad talking to me about whatever is interesting to him at the moment, and my mom asking what I am writing about and wondering why it isn't my novel (since it is, after all, National Novel Writing Month).  This is my fault for sitting in the living room to work, but it illustrates an important point: if you are around people who care about you, they will naturally find it difficult to completely ignore you and leave you time to write.  Remember the old maxim: "Out of sight, out of mind."  Put yourself out of sight if you value your productivity.

9. Turn Off the Internet

Probably the biggest, most insidious source of distraction is the internet.  There are so many excuses to go there, and the most dangerous one for me is "research."  I just want to look up some historical detail, and suddenly I have burned two hours reading about something completely irrelevant to the story.  Social media is a dangerous trap for many people.  One of the biggest problems for me is also what makes NaNoWriMo so great.  The forums, where thousands of people commiserate about NaNo's difficulties, discuss writing, and encourage each other, are so fun to read through that it is easy to forget about actually doing what you are supposed to do: write 50,000 words.  If you choose just one suggestion from this list, I would say pick this one.  Disabling your access to the internet will make you a much faster writer.

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So there you go!  Some of my favorite ways to fight distraction and keep writing.  What are some of your favorite ways to stay focused?  Which suggestions on this list would be most effective for you?  I would love to hear your opinion!

~ Hannah

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Thanks so much for reading!  This month, I am buried in the depths of NaNoWriMo.  If you would like to check out any of the other posts in this NaNo-related series, here they are!

NaNoWriMo: Write with Abandon!

NaNo Prep: Character Resources
NaNo Prep: Setting Resources
NaNo Prep: Plot Resources

NaNo Tips: Give Your Story a Chance

NaNo Tips: What Helps You Focus?
NaNo Tips: My NaNo Journey

Stuck in the Mud (Erin)

Do you ever feel like you are going happily on your way, and then you get stuck in the proverbial mud? Not literally. . .our Minnesota weather has been too nice for that. But figuratively, this is where
my writing is right now.

I am starting to learn that, historically, September and October tend to be crazy, hectic months in my life. As the mom of three school-age children and the wife of a marathon-running cross country coach, fall in my life brings lots of running around. Between school, practice, appointments I missed scheduling in the summer--not to mention my own (new) job, correcting papers, conferences for everyone, and grocery shopping, I tend to be rather busy. I love all of our activities. . . crisp, cool mornings, sipping coffee in a camp chair and watching a soccer game, or stopping for cinnamon rolls on the way home from watching a race, or even hanging out at the bus stop, waiting for someone to come home all have delightful elements. However, I find I have little time for writing.

With my first completed manuscript finished and awaiting a response from an agent, I need to be working on my second manuscript. It is the sequel to my first, and I have already written over 42,000 words. Although it felt great to sit down and add a couple hundred words the other day, I still feel stuck, like when I skip running for too long and even the thought of putting my running shoes on makes me wince. Wandering around my house, wondering how to get out of my slump, I saw one of my favorite sources of inspiration, Sophy Burnham's book, For Writers Only  on my shelf. Flipping through it, I came across these words:

When I am happiest, I write almost every day. For long periods, however, my time is taken. Days pass. . . weeks. Then I forget all over again how to write. I forget I can begin. I forget I ever once began. At times like these, then, fear and doubt must be fought with every weapon in our arsenal. These include: affirmations, prayer, silence, stillness, trusting, trying, waiting, walking, reading, not reading (45).

I love the way Burnham says, ". . .my time is taken." There is no judgement in her words. She doesn't make me feel guilty for not writing. My time has been taken. . .with the sixty-five short stories I foolishly refused to burden with a length limit; with my beloved children's sports games and practices and conversations; with cooking (although I must confess, my mom keeps blessing us with meals. . . 12 homemade hamburger patties, mashed potatoes and mushroom barley soup last week); with laundry and elections and life.

When your time is similarly taken and you have forgotten how to begin writing again, which of the weapons Burnham mentions are most helpful to you? I think, for me, this week, affirmation speaks most clearly. Two years ago, in the front cover of Burnham's book, my husband wrote, "I love reading your writing. Please keep it up. . .."

Okay. I think I will.

Attributions:
https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Only-Inspiring-Exquisite-Practitioners/dp/1585429120/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476151948&sr=1-1&keywords=sophy+burnham+for+writers+only
https://pixabay.com/en/red-oak-oak-leaves-autumn-leaves-61975/

Burdens or Gifts? (Elizabeth)

"You don't know what you've got until it's gone."

I thought I'd defied this maxim, especially where time was concerned. I budgeted my entire day into simple categories to keep myself as productive as possible, but really I was living like my life as a means to an end, rather than what it really is. A gift.

I used to have a chronic scheduling problem. It wasn't necessarily bad in it of itself, but I'm not sure it was the healthiest way to live my life. Allow me to show you:

This list reads from bottom to top. I used a handy dandy app to time every single activity. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. I timed when I brushed my teeth, how long I spent with friends and family (that would be underneath the Relationship category), how long I ate... everything. And at the end of the day, I got a pretty little pie chart:

So what's the problem? Well, it'd gotten a bit obsessive. I required every spare minute--nay!--every spare second to be productive (And I only used social media strictly to promote my blog, so yes, that's productive too). While that might sound absolutely wonderful to some, I realized that certain things can't really be measured, and I'm not sure if they ever should be. We not only don't need to control everything, but we shouldn't control everything. I still have a student planner I use, but I'm not timing my waking hours anymore. I've decided that having a little wiggle room in my life spices it up with spontaneity and leaves room for God to interfere with my schedule, which is a good thing! Though it's taken me a long time (about the entire 17 years I've been alive...) to figure that out. 

God spoke to me about this during this past ACFW conference, during Allen Arnold's continuing education, and the point was hammered in by Allen's book The Story of With. If your life is beginning to feel like an endless to-do list, I'd highly recommend it. All that to say is: God's ultimate goal isn't your productivity. Yes, productivity is important, but one day all the work we've done and books we've written will crumble into ashes. Why wear ourselves out on building something temporary? Especially when we can focus on eternal things while actually enjoying our lives, like building character and relationships--as my dad so often likes to remind me. 

I'm not encouraging you to quit working. God's given each of us a purpose and a job for this life. The blessing to create masterpieces, whether it's a book, a painting, or a building, is a gift unique to mankind. But gifts aren't supposed to be rushed through. When you open a box of chocolates from a spouse or friend, you don't stuff them in your mouth and choke them down. You savor each one. With that, I hope everyone will be reminded not to treat their lives like a means to an end or their talents like burdens, as I've often done, but to treat both of them like what they really are: gifts. 

If you could change anything in your schedule, what would it be? Do you over-schedule or under-schedule? Have you ever treated a gift like a burden? 

Thanks for reading!

-Elizabeth Newsom

On the Hard Work of Writing (Erin)

One of my favorite quotes in Sophy Burnham's book For Writers Only is by Madeleine L'Engle, one of my favorite authors. She says:

I know writers who write only when inspiration comes. How would Isaac Stern play if he played the violin only when he felt like it? He would be lousy.

 L'Engle's quote gives me motivation to keep working on my books and not give up. Some days, when my brain is full and spinning a million thoughts around, it can be hard to sit down at my desk, look out my window, and write.  Amazingly enough, if I sit and look at the screen long enough, I will eventually start typing. Some of my best writing has come when I have had to push worries and concerns to the back of my mind and focus on Helen (my main character) and what she is doing.  

I recently finished editing my first manuscript for what seems like the hundredth time. Sometimes, I think it will never be good enough to send out. But, the practice of refining and revising according to my checklist and my English-teacher standards can't help but make me a better writer. Taking out my silly, overused dialogue phrases like "oh well" and "anyways" makes me pay attention the next time I write, resulting in cleaner, crisper conversations between characters. (I hope!)

 As I start this new school year, I am realizing I will have to be even more disciplined about my writing. My books are past the point where I can just sit down and write for a bit and see what happens. Book 1, Amber in the Mountains (working title) is at the stage where she has to be sent out to face suitors and see if she can survive their rejections, in hopes of finding "the one" who may publish or represent her. Book 2, Mica in the Wilderness, is at the half-way point. This means quite a lot of twists and turns for Helen, but it also means I need to be mindful of where the trilogy is headed. 

Not only are my books at unique stages, but I am starting a new job, where I will be entrusted with the task of helping ninth graders discover their own writing voices, as well as learn to love books and love reading. . . on top of being a wife and a mother! I am so blessed to be able to work half-time, and have a family who thoroughly supports my writing, as well as my new job. However, I hope Agatha Christie was right when she said:

The best time for planning a book is when you're doing the dishes.

When do you write best? What is the hardest part of writing for you? Leave a comment and let me know! 

Atrributions: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQmxw_rwSDw 
https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Only-Sophy-Burnham/dp/034540405X
 

Finding Time to Write (Erin)

One of the hardest things about being an author is finding time to write. This is especially hard if you aren’t published yet, and are just hoping your writing will actually pan out. I often feel guilty for needing to prioritize my writing when there are so many other things to do. Here are a few tips that have helped me this year.

1.      Schedule writing. Two summers ago, I was so excited for everyone to be off school. I had visions of writing all the time, and having my book mostly finished by the end of summer. Much to my dismay, fall rolled around and I realized I had only sat down to write three days the entire summer. Now, I put writing time on my calendar, just like any other appointment, and I write for three hours twice a week. 

 J.K. Rowling's words provided encouragement for me:

“Be ruthless about protecting writing days, i.e., do not cave in to endless requests to have “essential” and “long overdue” meetings on those days. The funny thing is that, although writing has been my actual job for several years now, I still seem to have to fight for time in which to do it. Some people do not seem to grasp that I still have to sit down in peace and write the books, apparently believing that they pop up like mushrooms without my connivance.” 

2.      Minimize environmental distractions. Since I am Type A and slightly OCD, I don’t write effectively when there are messes in my line of sight. Writing time happens even if there are dirty dishes in the sink and piles of laundry to fold, but it helps if I can’t see them. This means I write at the tiny desk in the tiny office, where I can’t see the rest of the house, but am warm, cozy and can look out the window. 

3.      Minimize electronic distractions. Check Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. . . before writing time starts, and after it ends. Don’t allow yourself to flip between screens. (This is easier said than done!)

4.      Be observant. Realize a lot of writing happens when we are out and about and paying attention to life. One day, on the way home from taking kiddos to school, I noticed the beautiful sparkles on the lake. I spent the rest of my drive working out adjective phrases to describe the blue and the sparkles. When I got home, I jotted down my ideas in my writing notebook, to save for later.

5.      Multi-task. Often, just before I hop in the shower, I look up what I am writing about next on our blog, or I reread the last page of my manuscript. I spend my shower time thinking about what happens next or planning a post. Multi-tasking works well for a lot of mindless tasks, like folding laundry, waiting at appointments, sitting in carpool lanes, jogging, etc. . ..

6.      Think outside the box. For me, having a word count goal for writing time is stressful and sometimes counter-productive. I am thrilled if I get two great chapters written, but I am just as pleased if I write one scene, then realize I need to research something before moving on. For me, having an hourly goal works better than a word count goal. 

7.      Have an Accountability Partner. Reporting your progress to a real person weekly is a powerful motivator. You can meet for coffee, or do phone or email check-ins. Accountability partners don’t necessarily have to be fellow fiction writers. Monica is working on a business curriculum and art blog, but she still keeps me accountable to get tasks done and encourages me when I feel stuck. 

8.      Reschedule. If something comes up during your writing time, (like your best friend is in town and wants to have breakfast), by all means, go do it. Just don’t forget to find an alternate writing time during the week.  

How do you make time for writing? What is your biggest barrier to having time to write?

Leave a comment and let us know! Thanks! 

Attributions: 

https://pixabay.com/en/ancient-clock-time-old-antique-1246710/