Inspirational Sites to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

At times a writer just needs to hear or read something to put the passion back into their work. I have to admit I relish those jeweled sites where an author shares their experience. Writing a novel is a long road with plenty of ups and downs in it so it’s always a pleasure to read something positive to put the energy back into your writing. Here are some sites I found of interest.



• Mike Wells; The Green Water Blog and his post on how 3000 copies of his book Wild Child went from the trash bin to selling on Amazon Kindle and earning the number one spot on the bestseller list. It's definitely a Cinderella story for writers!


• Another great inspirational story is self published author John Locke and his climb to the bestseller list on Amazon's Kindle. I believe one of his books Saving Rachel has Hollywood even interested in turning it into a film. It’s truly another writer’s HEA – what could be sweeter?  


As of yet I haven’t read any of these authors books so I have no idea what they’re like. But I have to say I’m definitely intrigued to see what the hype is all about.

As always it’s good to hear the literally world is still thriving. So to those of you who are about to put pen to paper I wish you happy writing and much success!


Image found at Wikimedia

Drawing Inspiration from the Holidays to Write That Perfect Scene

Now that the tree is decorated, its lights shining and reflecting off the garland and various decorations. You may take a moment to listen to the Christmas carols playing on the radio, smell the scent of pine and take in the presents wrapped in festive paper and brightly colored bows.


For me there’s always a sentimental tug when I hear the 1943 song “I’ll be home for Christmas” and think of the soldiers in WWII; it’s easy to transport myself back to that era when family’s gathered around the radio listening to the news and the upheaval of that time or when soldiers received letters from loved ones back home and vice versa.

Emotions are raw this time of year; you hear timeless songs replayed through the decades past. The days are shorter and the season’s winds whip outside your home.

With all the emotions you’re feeling, it’s the perfect time to put pen to paper. Your creative juices are flowing and you may not be aware of it.

You have an outline of your manuscript (or basic idea) and you know at some point you want to have a Christmas scene; what better time to write about it than now. You may have to jump ahead a few chapters but you can draw from all around you the feeling and sense of Christmas. Later you can always tie in the scenes to the rest of your story but for now capture the moment.

So pour yourself a cup of eggnog, wrap yourself in a warm comfy quilt and write the scene your characters are eagerly waiting.

.

Testing Different Waters

I’ve been writing for years. Admittedly I’m commitment shy when it comes to sending my manuscript away—the fear of contracts looms like dark clouds over my head. (It’s strange, I know. Every writer dreams of a contract). Why am I different? I don’t know; I wish I knew so I could move forward.


Perhaps other writers share my phobia. There is hope though; I’ve come upon ways to help boost your confidence. Contests are a good source to let your manuscript see the light of day and to get that all-important feedback. Blogging is another way to share your voice with the outside world. It’s exciting, fun and lets you create outside of the boundaries of your manuscript.

Recently, I’ve tried another avenue. I started writing for Wikinut where you can write about almost anything and get paid for it. When you’re through writing the article it looks like a page from a magazine—you selected the material, the pictures and the look of it. It’s a great outlet but this is by no means an end to my writing on manuscripts and getting them published… For me it’s baby steps. In fact my manuscript is sitting on my desktop, ready to be sent. And I will be… soon.

Right now, I’m dipping my toe in different waters as I work on my manuscripts on the side and I’m having a wonderful time doing it :-) On Wikinut three of my four articles got stars! I’m so excited about it. Here is the link to my articles if you want to take a look. http://www.wikinut.com/author~xekjh/Angelique-Newman/ or take a look to the right side of the screen and you'll see my articles.

Another plus side for writing on an online site, you’re building a portfolio and can mention in your query letter to an agent and editor that you’re a freelance writer.

This is one of the links where you can join and write for Wikinut; http://www.wikinut.com/in/xekjh/

One of the things with writing is that you have to enjoy it. Always keep those creative juices flowing. Happy writing on whatever you may choose :)

Writing Along With Youtube

Nothing stirs the imagination better than a good song. I have my share of CDs but I can’t keep up with the talent that’s out there (I couldn’t afford it) every other week there’s a song I absolutely love. That’s where Youtube comes into play. All I have to do is put them under my favorites and my list is always handy. Whatever scene I’m writing I have the song to match my mood.


Even some of the music videos gives me an extra boost . . . Though I have to admit it’s easy to lose track of time.

As a writer I’m always searching for those mysterious hours that seem to slip away. If only the days were longer… I can just imagine the work I would get done: )

Writers and Their Pets

Lucy before haircut


I don’t have to look far for inspiration to create a pet’s character. Lucy provides me with enough material to last a lifetime! Her haircuts vary from short to shaggy. She’s fond of barking and will even stay in bed lying on her back, barking to let us know she heard something but refuses to get up and check it out herself. She pouts and is always quizzical when she comes upon something new. She’s never short of kisses, snuggles and is sure to get her message across when she wants something.



I’m sure I’m just partial when it comes to Lucy and that most writers have their special pet they can draw inspiration from. It’s their quirks that make them a worthy secondary character in a manuscript… But be careful, they may just take over and demand their own series.

To Be A Writer You Have To Be Like A Sponge

I try to soak up every molecule around me, even the murky unpleasant details. The more I take in, the more believable my characters will be. Movies are a good source to take you to places you most likely haven’t been; such as period pieces like, Braveheart, Pearl Harbor and Titanic to name a few.

For instance in the movie Braveheart, we experience the horror William Wallace endured in the years 1272 through 1305 in Scotland; you felt his injustice, his need for Scotland’s freedom from England’s tyranny. As for Pearl Harbor with Ben Affleck and Josh Harnett you feel the scope of WWII and Kate Beckinsale’s character’s agony of choosing between the two men in her life. And at last Titanic; you not only feel the difference between the way the classes were treated, you feel the panic, the fear and heartache as the ship sinks.

There’s a lot to be said about these period pieces. In truth, I haven’t watched these movies in years but they stayed with me. And that’s exactly what I want to learn from them; I want to capture these feelings and write them down so that when my story is finished it will linger in the hearts of readers.