by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Saving for a rainy day isn’t just good financial advice—it’s
good writing advice. We all have those times when inspiration doesn’t choose to
shine on us. But if we’ve been storing valuable things, we’ll be able to
continue to make progress.
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| All writers need a system for keeping track of ideas. |
1. Ideas. Every
single writer should have a system of keeping track of ideas. I have several.
- I always have a file on my computer for blog post ideas. Any time I’m at my computer and come up with a good idea, I open that document and record it. If I come across a cool idea on the web, I paste the URL and a quick description of what I think I could write about.
- I also have a documents for book ideas, guest post ideas, short stories, really anything I could write about. And I keep them separate and well labeled so I can find them when the idea file runs dry.
- I have a place on my iPad where I can record ideas.
- I have a place on my phone where I can keep ideas.
- Finally, incase electronics fail me. I always carry a small notebook in my purse. The trick here is to remember to transfer those ideas to my other files so I don’t lose them!
2. Writing
Instruction Books. When I get stumped on how to do something or what should
come next, I have a large library with physical books. In addition, I also have
quite a few ebooks (some duplicates) so that when I’m away from home I still
have access to what I’ll need.
3. Writing Prompt
Books & Websites. I’m a big believer in writing prompts. Sometimes we
need something to stretch our writing muscles before we can dig deep. That’s
what writing prompts do for me.
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| My writing friends are valuable resources! |
4. Writing Friends.
I’ve been careful to develop friendships with other writers over the years.
These men and women are some of my most valuable resources. With them I can
share my struggles, my fears, and my successes. I can also bounce ideas around
with them and spend valuable brainstorming time when I get stuck.
5. Years of Classes
and Workshops. Well, I may not have the actual classes, but I have the
knowledge that has come from them. I also have my notes and often times, the
recordings of the classes I’ve taken. If you’re not investing in writing
classes, you’re missing out on a valuable asset.
6. Favorite Books.
These are the books that have inspired me, humbled me, and challenged me to
grow as a writer. They include poetry, novels, biographies, non-fiction, even
beautiful books of photography. All of these make up a valuable source of
inspiration.
7. Favorite Movies.
We are becoming a more and more visual society. And there are movies that have
inspired me as well as books.
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| Places of peace and rest are important. |
8. Places of Peace
and Rest. Where do you go to find peace? Don’t neglect going there
regularly. Or, if it’s not possible, surround yourself with images that bring
that place to mind.
9. Good Equipment. I
can’t tell you the difference it makes to have good equipment. From the
computer you use, to the word processing program, to the desk equipment. This
isn’t a place to skimp or try to make do.
10. Inspirational
Music. This isn’t necessarily religious music, it’s anything that inspires
you. Put together a playlist on Spotify and keep it on in the background while
you’re writing.
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| We all need to develop alligator-tough skin. |
11. Alligator-tough
Skin. Writing isn’t for the faint-of-heart. We must endure rejection, revision
and those horrible voices that live in every writer’s mind.
12. Faith. I
think this one is the most important thing of all. For me, it goes beyond faith
in myself, although that is important. My faith in the God who created me for
the purpose of stringing words together is my foundation every single time I
sit down to write.
These are the things that I keep in my writer’s vault. I’d
love to know what’s in yours.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
You truly encouraged me this morning. As a new writer I do most of these. I have been to two writing workshops and plan on going to more. Please explain to me what Writing Prompt Books & Website" is all about? I look forward to reading your posts every day. Thank you for all the help. Hope to see you at BRMCWC!
ReplyDeleteCherrilynn, I'm glad you're already doing a lot of these things! A writing prompt is a short question or exercise that helps you write. For example, one might read like this: "Write a short scene based on this opening line, Sarah entered the darkened room and found..." You can buy books of writing prompts or just type Writing Prompts into a search engine and lots of websites will come up with these type of short writing exercises. Thanks for the question, Blessings, E
DeleteThese rejuvenated me this morning, Edie. Thank you. I have a pocket folder in my files called Writing Tidbits. I put random ideas in there that I wrote on napkins, church bulletins, used envelopes, etc. Maybe organizing it would help, but it is fun to go through it when I'm stuck. I have the same sort of thing filled with magazine articles, and recently, I've done the same with Pinterest.
ReplyDeleteMelodie, you're right, it's fun to dig through a file and see what appears. But it's also frustrating if you're trying to find something specific. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Blessings, E
DeleteI love those ideas. And you don't know how important the teachings are until you have actually been someplace to soak up the classes, like this past weekend at The Cove for the Writers Advance Boot Camp. I now have another collection of valuable assets to add to my writing library.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I'm so glad we got to hang out this weekend! Thanks for adding your insight here, Blessings, E
DeleteThese are fantastic, Edie! I'm always learning from you.
ReplyDeleteAne, I feel the same about you! Thanks & Blessings, E
DeleteGreat list, Edie! I have recently discovered Trello.com as a great organizer tool. Your #1 item has inspired me to add a blog ideas list, so when I go to write a post, I'll have all of them handy.
ReplyDeleteLyneta, I LOVE Trello! Thanks for sharing that valuable tool here. Blessings, E
DeleteI need to work on #11. All very good points. I may have to resort to #6 and #7 when I run out of ideas. But gees! What an excellent post!
ReplyDeleteCarole, #11 is tough for all of us (no pun intended). And I've found that just when I think I've gotten there, I get hurt again. The trick with alligator-skin, though is to be tough enough to take what comes, without becoming hard to others around us. Thanks for stopping by, Blessings, E
Deletewhenever a written phrase or bit of dialogue catches my attention, I create a new folder and use that phrase as a possible story title. It doesn't have to be taken as written but could end up with a different meaning. I also have a folder dubbed "Ideas Without Homes". I call them my 'orphans' at some point they get adopted (or is that adapted) into some story plot. Keeps me going when I'm at a loss for ideas.
ReplyDeleteMarissa, I love that! Thanks so much for sharing, Blessings, E
DeleteYour post resonated with me...especially the part about "keeping the faith." I consider my love of writing a blessing. Even if no one else appreciates a single thing I write, I'll always be grateful for my "gift." After all, it was given to me, for my enjoyment. And that's something that every writer should never forget...
ReplyDeleteLinda, you are absolutely right! We must never forget that. Thanks for stopping by, Blessings, E
DeleteWriting buddies are my favorite inspiration! :) Conferences and classes re really important too! Great list!
ReplyDelete