IT’S ALL ABOUT . . . STAYING CREATIVE

8/10/2020

By Melissa Stoller

It feels like a long time has passed since the beginning of the pandemic. What are you doing to stay creative? Now might be the perfect time to try something new or revisit a favorite activity to jump-start your motivation.

Here are a few actions you can implement today that might be helpful during these challenging times:

1) Meditation - try a few calming breaths as you think about ideas you want to pursue or revisions that are waiting. Sometimes, closing your eyes can offer a moment of peace, and in that moment, a brilliant new idea or a solution to a story block can appear. Remember to have a notepad nearby to capture your reflections.

2) Affirmation - pick a phrase that is meaningful to you and your writing journey and say it aloud or tape it to your computer or writing notebook. It could be something like, “I am an author,” “My words are meaningful,” or “I’m writing because . . . .“ Hopefully, these affirmations will strengthen your resolve to be creative and to allow yourself to write, revise, polish, and repeat.

3) Movement - take a walk around the block, do some easy stretches, practice yoga, take a bike ride, go for a swim, or do them all. The possibilities are endless. Often, movement clears your mind and allows for space, and that space gives you room for creative pursuits.

I hope these actions help spur your writing inspiration and motivation throughout August and beyond. Let me know what works for you in the comments!

BIO:

Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island and The Liberty Bell Train Ride (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017 and 2021); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla! (Clear Fork, Fall 2018). Upcoming books include Sadie’s Shabbat Stories and Return of the Magic Paintbrush (CFP). Melissa is a Blogger and Assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a Moderator for the Debut Picture Book Study Group, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, and a founding member of The Book Meshuggenahs. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and long beach walks.

CONNECT:

https://www.MelissaStoller.com
https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
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3 Comments

Kathy Chalas

8/10/2020 06:58:46 pm

Hi Melissa!

These are all such healthy, positive activities to incorporate into everyday life. Thank you for suggesting them.

I find that daily hikes through the woods with my energetic Vizsla Tula (always off-leash, about two to five miles in all types of weather) are invigorating and relaxing at the same time! It’s a wonderful opportunity to just “be in the moment” and savor my surroundings. Somehow, it makes the stressful, surreal world that we find ourselves living in right now become normal and peaceful for a little while.

On those hikes, I often use my phone to snap photos or take videos of interesting things that I see and want to save. I also record voice memos of observations, things that inspire me, and story ideas that pop into my head!

Stay well and thanks again for suggesting helpful ways to stay centered, focused, and motivated in challenging times.

Kind regards,
Kathy Chalas (“Tula O’Chalas”)

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9/10/2020 10:54:01 am

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9/10/2020 10:54:29 am

Talking to your girlfriend face-to-face is an excellent way to gain a better understanding of her. Sometimes you can't pick up on things like voice intonation or sarcasm through text message, and you can't look at her body language when you're talking to her over the phone.

IT’S ALL ABOUT . . . STAYING CREATIVE

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