Writer Words Wednesday #2

Yay, second week of Writer Words Wednesday!

Each Wednesday I’ll share a bit of hand lettering related to writing.

And if the words help you,
you can download them, print them out,
and put them up somewhere where you’ll be reminded/inspired by them.

This week it’s this one:

Ideas emerge in different ways.
This quote actually comes from a cross out poem I did.
Back when Santa Cruz used to have TWO free weekly papers,
I did a lot of these.

I love this astrologer, but, more importantly, the font and the spacing were perfect.
Now Santa Cruz only has one,
And the words are squished.

I haven’t been inspired to make any more cross out poems; the horoscopes now just don’t look like as much fun to play with. Maybe I’ll get back into it, but the moral of the story is: fonts matter!

Anyway,
Ideas emerge in different ways.
This is so important to remember on many levels.

First and foremost, the idea collection phase.
I don’t know about you, but I find most people who aren’t writers have that vision in their head of the artist or writer sitting by a blank page and, BING! The light bulb goes off and suddenly they’re moving fast, writing down everything!

Yeah ideas are not that convenient.
In fact, they will come when it’s the WORST possible time, just to tease you.

I’ve come up with ideas each of these ways.
So if you’re stuck, try one!
I’ve got 19 here, so hopefully something works!

Take a shower. (No I’m not telling you you smell, I promise!) And they have a notepad for that!

Meditate. Because when you’re trying to be quiet, that’s JUST when those ideas want to be heard.

Take a drive in the car. Hello voice memos! (ok, don’t really just drive around for no reason, but be ready for ideas in the car when you are driving around with a reason)

Review other things you’ve written. Isn’t it great when you read something and you’re like, “Wow, I wrote that?” I occasionally impress myself.

Revisit notes from conferences. Note notebooks or files are like GOLD MINES!

Take a nap. Then the ole brain is ready to kick out some good stuff.

Talk to friends about creative pursuits. Could be what they have going on. Could be that it’s not at all related to writing. But it will get you in that headspace, and ideas may come.

Go for a walk. If you’re out with people and nature, it’s only a matter of time before something springs out at you.

Look on Instagram or (insert your favorite form of social media here) Yeah, I bet you’re thinking I’m just trying to justify all the time I spend scrolling on there. But I get ideas, I SWEAR! And I’m really not spending THAT much time!

Go to author and illustrator events. This is the same as talking with people about creative pursuits, but it’s also with an added sense of inspiration, since the person you’re going to see has the level of success that you’re probably working toward. They’re living the dream!

Listen to podcasts. This is similar to talking with friends about creative pursuits, but something you can do while you’re driving or being solitary. I LOVE the Sean Wes podcast for that. I’ve listened to many of the podcasts, even if I’m not directly benefiting from what they’re talking about. For example, they might have a podcast about doing your best work while working away from home. My job isn’t a job that fits into what they’re talking about, but when I listen, I’m in that creative space, and ideas feel like they can come out and reveal themselves. Sean talked about it on the latest podcast, about possibly having the podcast on as “white noise” but the kind that encourages creativity.

Change something up. Something small or big. See where it takes you.

Go surfing. Ok, maybe not possible for everyone, but being out on the water somehow makes ideas flow too!

Commit to showing up at a certain time. Tell yourself you’ll be there and you’ll be writing. Ideas may decide to keep that date with you 🙂

Go to the library. Is there any place better?

Read. Again, you probably think I’m justifying all the time I spend reading. Yeah, I am. But you never know when a book could spark an idea.

Look at how other people get ideas (PiBoIdMo, anyone?)

Mine that childhood. Write down stories of things you did as a kid!

Try something new.

Basically, any time I make a change, do something repetitive or mindless, am around water, or around creatives, I’m ready for ideas.

Basically I need to get a bunch of creatives to go surfing with me and I’ll use a short board instead of a long board and get THE MOST IDEAS OF MY LIFE,
but then won’t be able to write them down!

These are great ways to get ideas for the start of a project,
but also when you have a problem that you need to work on.
I feel like I need ideas more than ever when I’m revising,
and they’ve got to be good, to keep things fresh.

Phew.
Ok.
I feel like that was a lot of work!
I’m sure I’ll think of more ways to get ideas later, and I’ll come back and add them to this post.
When do you get ideas? Do you have a sure fire way to insure some will come?

Until next week,
KE