Writer Joy - Guest Post
Writer Joy: Writerly Advice on Finding Inspiration and Developing Your Writer Joy
By Susan Leigh Needham and TC Kemper
Enjoying The Ride — Thoughts by Susan Leigh Needham
“It is not about the destination, it's about the journey.” And for a writer that journey can take a long time so you should try your best to sit back, ride the waves as they go up and down, and enjoy it. Though the ‘downs’ aren’t usually as joyful as the ‘ups’, they are a starting point from which to soar up to find your joy.
Recognize that down feeling when it comes, analyze why it is happening, and move forward.
Focus on how you write best and don’t worry about what works for other writers. Maybe you like short writing bursts. Maybe you can only write at night or when you are locked away from the world. Pay attention to what works for you and let that knowledge of your habits instill confidence. Will your writing habits change? Probably. But they are YOUR writing habits. You control them. Be flexible and go with the flow. Sometimes there is a high tide of creativity and sometimes the tide is low. As writing projects change from brainstorming all the way through final edits, your habits can change. From project to project, your habits can change. Make them work for you (and your Writer Joy).
Take those little lemons, add a ton of sugar, and make some positivity juice that fuels your creativity and imagination!
I am sharing a list of some things you might try if you are feeling that your writing habits need a little something new. Remember there are so many different kinds of writers, all with different habits. The key is to find a writing rhythm that you enjoy.
Try these:
— You could try scheduling your writing goals on a calendar. Some find a daily checklist is helpful, while others like a weekly or monthly goal list. I really find that this helps me stay on target and the sense of completion keeps me in charge of the process - which keeps me positively smiling!
— Recharge. Take an inspiration break from writing by doing something related and helpful to your writing project. Make a music playlist, draw a character or a world-building map, or make a moodboard or an aesthetic. OR Take a rest from all writing related things. Binge on some Netflix. Give your brain some fresh air. Sometimes the creative tide goes out and you need to just wait until it comes back. The tide always comes back in.
— READ for the fun of it.
— Find a writing buddy. They can simply be an accountability partner or they can even swap pages with you for feedback. Sometimes when we writers are down, we simply need a writing buddy, that we trust, to point the way back up.
— Sometimes it is all about the timing. Write for 10 more minutes. I find this tactic motivates me. I think I am about to finish a writing session. I check the clock and will just dedicate myself to writing to the next hour or half hour. I am always surprised how much more I get done and those types of accomplishments are generally rewarded with a kitchen dance party. Take advantage of times when you will not be interrupted. You know when they are. You love those little interrupters but they can be zappers of creativity and imagination. We need to protect those things that are essential for storytelling!
— Don’t expect perfection the first time. You might find it but most writing projects have gotten where they are in the editing and revision process. I have more ‘A-HA’ moments in those later stages of writing - and they are a big boost for my Writer Joy!
Now, I have invited my friend TC Kemper to chat a little bit about how she finds inspiration along her writer journey. Inspiration is key to finding your Writer Joy. Take it away, TC!
Snagging Inspiration when the Creative Well Runs Dry — Thoughts by TC Kemper
If you’re anything like me, you have those moments of OH-MY-GOSH-THE-CREATIVE-JUICES-ARE-FLOWING-AND-I-CAN-WRITE-UNTIL-MY-FINGERS-FALL-OFF, and then later, those moments where your creative well is bone-dry. Writers often talk about “chasing the muse,” and that’s the thing about a chase: sometimes you catch what you’re after, and sometimes you don’t. So how do you stay focused when your creative well has been empty for several days (or weeks, or months . . . or all of 2020)?
While I’m no writerly fairy godmother, I do have a couple of tricks up my sleeve that other writers might find helpful as well.
Start with a song
Outside of reading in your genre/age group, I’ve found that music can be a fabulous source of inspiration. Music can pound, or crash, or rise, or hum, but all of it is designed to achieve a mood. Listen to your favorite musical artists or explore a new genre you’re not as familiar with. Now, take the time to really listen and feel. What kind of emotion is coming through? What kind of character would feel this way? What circumstances would lead to this particular outpour of grief/excitement/fear/etc.? Why would one of your characters feel drawn to this particular song?
2. Start with a title
Whenever I’m daydreaming up a new WIP (even when I’m supposed to be finishing an existing WIP, shhhhh don’t tell!), I sometimes linger on a word or phrase I find interesting and then imagine what kind of story would belong to that title. It’s somewhat like the word-collecting featured in Natalie Lloyd’s middle grade masterpiece A SNICKER OF MAGIC. (Which, if you haven’t read yet, you really should!)
An example: my husband sometimes calls our dog his “peanut butter prince.” Now, what kind of story would feature that title? A middle grade or YA contemporary featuring a main character who’s the heir to a peanut butter fortune? A picture book set in a peanut-butter-and-jelly kingdom? Wherever it takes you, let your mind wander and see what characters, settings, or conflicts come your way.
3. Revisit What You’ve Already Written
Whether you’re starting a fresh story or continuing an old one, it’s always valuable to take a walk down memory lane or recap where you left off. This might seem simple enough, but by setting aside some time to really read and enjoy what you’ve been previously working on, you can reconnect with your written voice or reintroduce yourself to familiar characters that may inspire new ones. Sometimes just jogging your memory can be enough to coax your fingers into hitting the keyboard!
4. Let Yourself Wander (Figuratively and Literally!)
Some writers can ignite their creative flames through sheer force of will-- they sit down, set a timer, and write! But if your ideas have all gone on vacation, even this method can be a challenge. So instead, let yourself wander.
And by “wander,” I mean both mentally and physically. Turn off distractions and let your mind roam in the shower or on a slow, easy drive. Daydream about what it would be like if your characters were in a particular situation, and play their dialogue and actions out in your head. In the physical sense, I like to wander the woods near my home, watching birds hop from branch to branch as I crunch through the fallen leaves or squish through the soggy winter mud. I’ve found that a change of scenery + a lack of distractions + a little exercise = creative juices flowing!
And, of course, sometimes you just need a dang break, ya’ll! Rest is important, especially when you’re feeling frazzled. Let yourself recharge, then come back to that blank page with a renewed focus.
May your creative well stay full, friends! -TC Kemper
About Taylor (TC) Kemper:
T.C. Kemper is a writer of middle grade and young adult fantasy and speculative fiction. When she's not sipping peppermint tea sweetened with local honey or hiking woodland trails with her husband and her dog, she's likely losing herself in a beautifully crafted story.
Her writing has been published in the Journal of Conflict Management (research), The Black Sheep (nationally and regionally featured satire), and various Kentucky news sources. She works in higher education and believes that books have the power to change lives. She plans to traditionally publish and is currently seeking representation. Visit her website at www.tckemper.com
Something to think about in search of your Writer Joy:
What is that one book or story that inspired you to give writing a try?
Do you remember that feeling when you first started? Do you still feel that way? If not, why?
If you have any questions or would like more writerly posts like this one, leave me a comment below. You can find links below to follow me on Instagram (where I post daily), Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Until next time, have fun indulging your imagination.
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