Perfect! A Mini-Break!

My kids have reached the end of the first quarter, which means they get a mini-break from school. I love mini-breaks! Over the weekend, we visited both my parents and my hubby's parents, and now I get a couple of days to sleep in and lounge around.

Everyone should take a few loaf-y days now and then. Hang out in your yoga pants or pj's. Nurse that cup of coffee or hot tea. Flip through a magazine. Open a novel. Watch a trashy daytime television show.

Relax.
Lose the tension.
Let your brain turn to mush.

Sometimes you need to get off the fast track of life to refuel. I write and revise better when I take some time to putter and be lazy. My imagination needs it too. If we don't take breaks, our creativity dwindles. That's not good!

With the holidays knocking at the door, it's smart to let your mind lie fallow for a bit. The busy season will be here soon, so let's enjoy it.

Do you  take mini-breaks? What's your definition of the perfect lazy day?

Have a terrific Monday!!

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Writing Prompt 3: Coffee Mug

I'm sharing writing prompts each Wednesday this January, and it's time for a new edition.

Writing prompts encourage free writing. Don't plot what you're going to write, and ignore the urge to edit. See the prompt and write. That's it!

Today's prompt is this white mug.

Here's what I came up with:

Oh, the stories this mug could tell. Day in, day out it sits there, watching the people shuffle, walk, and run past. Some laugh, some keep their gazes fixed on the sidewalk, but everywhere there is movement.

This mug likes itself. It knows it has a terrific proportion--the round bowl holds a lot of coffee and the matching saucer adds to its style. Plus, it can see its reflection in the saucer.

Every day it lifts its face to the sun, smiling at the puffs of clouds chugging overhead, and saluting the birds as they go about their day.

The mug belongs on this street. It knows it belongs. Why, the street might cease to exist if this one mug were to break. It might. One never knows...

***
When I went through this a second time I wanted to change the sentence starting with "Some laugh..." to end with "but everyone has a place to go" rather than "everywhere there is movement." I also would have been more specific on the amount of coffee the mug could hold. "A lot" doesn't tell you much! There are too many "it" and "its." I would have reworded some for a more interesting read.

This whole thing feels very stuffy to me. Not my favorite free writing, but that's not the point. :)

***
Did you come up with anything? Feel free to share in the comments or by e-mailing me at jill(at)jillkemerer(dot)com.

Have a fabulous Wednesday!!

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WSG 21: Let's Pretend

Writer's Survival Guide 21: Let's Pretend

Last week, I reclaimed my home office. I'm incredibly blessed to have dedicated space just for my writing. In the summers, I usually take my work downstairs, on account of our dog and the kids. We don't allow our mini-dachshund upstairs unless the doors are closed since she can hide under beds and be naughty.

However, when school is back in, I close the bedroom doors and allow Sophie upstairs.

So I was sitting at my desk, reveling in the awesomeness that is my large desk, my pencil holder, my printer, my closet full of books and office supplies, and my comfy chair (notice how selfish I sound? After years and years of sharing everything with my kids, I'm embracing the selfishness!), and I looked out the two corner windows (two!!). I saw trees towering in the distance, and I thought it would be terribly easy to pretend I'm in Colorado or somewhere mountainous.

Let me clarify. I live in a very flat part of the earth. We may have an occasional hill, but nothing our vehicles would strain to climb. Mountains are as exotic as palm trees here.

But squinting at the tree line, it was simple to transplant my house out west. And when I did, it was even easier to imagine I could drive to Pike's Peak this afternoon. Maybe even pull over and grab a handful of red clay so prevalent in the area? Catch a rodeo this weekend. Head to Denver and possibly see snowflakes in August.

Then I shook my head back to reality. And I smiled.

Playing "let's pretend" is a vital part of my life as a writer. It's the starting point of every story. It's what flows through my brain during first drafts. It's always happening--whether I'm at home, standing in line at a store, or hiking in a park. I don't think I can turn off "let's pretend"!  I wouldn't want to. There's nothing like spending a few minutes pretending to be somewhere else, someone I'm not, a different species--anything that comes to mind.

How important is "Let's Pretend" in your life?

Have a lovely Monday!

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Summer Smells...Good or Bad?

All winter long I anticipate the smell of freshly cut grass. Summer brings such glorious scents, doesn't it? The whiff of watermelon when you slice into it--drool worthy. Or what about roses blooming beside your deck? The sea air blowing across a beach? And let's not forget the delicious scent of burgers searing on the grill.

But summer also brings some not-so-pleasant smells. The humid air ripens the manure of a dairy farm a few miles away. And does anyone enjoy the aroma of Fido when he tromps in after a rainy day? I'm guessing no. Mosquito spray is another offender. I love my DEET, but the smell leaves much to be desired.

A few other favorite frangrances of mine are tropical suntan lotion, any food item at the county fair, chocolate sauce dripping over vanilla ice cream, that slight chlorine scent after a dip in the pool, freshly laundered sheets, and campfires.

What is your favorite summer smell?

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Summer Sunshine

Addicted to sunshine? Maybe. I told myself I'd spend thirty minutes outside--no more. An hour and a half later, I dragged my feet indoors. What is it about the warm sun that melts my muscles and lulls my brain? Usually, I enjoy reading out in the sun, but on Friday, I couldn't even pay attention. It was enough to just sit and be and soak up summer.

I'm sure you've all heard the expression "filling the creative well." Activities conducive to re-energizing our creativity include reading, absorbing art, listening to music, even going to a movie. But what about silence? What about an hour of nothing?

How often do you have an hour to just sit and be?

Can you make that happen this week? I know how hard it is. We have so many things clamoring for our attention. But please try. Try to just sit for an hour and not do anything. It's good for the soul.

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May: A Month of Random Questions

As I brainstormed possible topics for this month, I kept getting stuck. Nurturing ideas? I've touched on that subject before. Celebrations? Not feeling it.



For the last few weeks, I've had the most random thoughts. I'll be smelling the apple blossoms in the park and think what if Darcy thinks she's acting out of compassion, but in reality she's acting out of desperation? (Darcy is the main character in the book I just finished revising.)

Now, this happens to me a lot, and if you're a writer, it surely happens to you too. You can't turn off the book you're writing. Little bits and pieces come to you at inconvenient times, like when you're in the shower or stopped at a traffic light. And some of the stuff that comes to you seems out of place. Maybe you're trying to figure out why your hero just freaked out about something, when you realize a secondary character acted incorrectly a few chapters back.

It's puzzling trying to figure out if I've nailed a scene. Some I know I did, and others I wonder about. For the troubling scenes, I find it helps if I unlock the worry grip and ask myself random questions about the scene, characters or plot. If I can look at what's happening from a silly or foreign perspective, I can narrow down the correct way for the scene to flow.

Join me all month for random questions to help push you through tough scenes.

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Vision Boards

"Do you have a vision board?" my friend asked at our weekly coffee date. "They really work."

Another friend chimed in that she had one too. I'd heard of this concept before but had never taken the time to do it.

"Vision board?" I asked. "No, I don't. Tell me about it."

She explained how making a visual picture board of her aspirations helped make them come true. Inspired to give it a try, the next day I Googled vision boards. If you're interested in creating one of your own, check out the excellent article by Christine Kane, How to Make a Vision Board.

Once I had the basic information, I decided to get really wild and blow a wad of money on various magazines. I'm not shy about my magazine addiction, so spending money on the process didn't bother me at all. In fact, this vision board stuff made it acceptable--admirable even--to purchase more magazines!

I hadn't even created my vision board, and I loved it already.

Before I purchased the glossy beauties, I spent a little time thinking about what I want from life. I've already been blessed with a happy, healthy family. My church and volunteer life satisfy me too. Therefore, my vision board would focus on the two things I yearn for: publication and personal desires such as traveling more.

With my goals in mind, I opened the magazines, and inhaled the aroma of fragrant, colored paper. Ahh... I cut out anything that sparked an emotion and set the pieces in a pile.

A few days later, I retrieved the poster board hiding in my office closet and began arranging the pictures, tossing any that didn't feel relevant, and leaving areas of white space to write on or for future pictures to be pasted.

The end result thrilled me. I can't wait to hang it in my office where I will see it every day. This is what it looks like:


Have you ever made a vision board? Do you need a good excuse to buy a stack of magazines? Try it! It's fun!

Join me on Friday for a recap of our goals!

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A Dozen Roses

We were walking through Detroit Metro Airport, thrilled to be home, but also tired and silly. My friend Kat and I heard over the loudspeaker, "Someone left a dozen roses on such and such flight, please pick them up at terminal..." We both came up with instantaneous theories.



Kat's take was that a woman left the roses on the flight because the guy who gave them to her repelled her.

Naturally, I deduced a gentleman accidentally forgot them. He was meeting the woman he met on eHarmony.com and in his nervousness, the flowers completely slipped his mind.

How can someone forget a dozen roses on an airplane?

And even if Kat's theory was correct, wouldn't the woman still want the pretty flowers? Does the giver of them taint them somehow? I don't think so!

Hmmm...

What's your theory on the forgotten flowers? I'm dying to hear what your take is!

Happy Writing!

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Using the Senses: Taste

Well, I saved the worst for last. How in the world does taste affect our writing? And do we want it too?

I guess we could lick our keyboards or notebooks, but I'm feeling a little gaggy at the thought, so let's not discuss it.

Taste, taste...hmm...what can I possibly say?

Do you snack while you write? Do you sip on anything? Chew gum? Pop cough drops?

I (gasp! It's a big surprise, isn't it?) drink coffee while I write. I usually don't eat, but sometimes I'll bring up a bowl of berries or cut up an apple. No, I'm not Miss Health Nut 2009, but that's why I eat fruit for a snack. I could eat wood chips while I'm writing and not know the difference. I get very wrapped up in my work. Why would I waste calories on a snack I don't register? Fruit it is! I save the decadent snacks for when I'm in the moment.

What about you? Are you putting away mindless calories just to keep your mouth busy when you write? How does this affect you? Your writing? Or do you eat anything? Is there a healthy snack you could incorporate?

Or do you purposely let a square of dark chocolate melt on your tongue to get you in the mood to write a sensual scene? Snack on homemade macaroni and cheese when writing a heartwarming one? Crunch on carrot sticks when writing an action-packed chapter? Hey, whatever helps your writing!

Ahh... I managed to write a post on taste. Didn't think I had it in me.

Thanks for all the terrific comments about our senses. It's been delightful learning about you and I've enjoyed some good laughs, too!

Enjoy your weekend!

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Using the Senses: Sound

I cannot express my gratitude for the beautiful gift of hearing. I adore music, laughter, silence, birds chirping, kids playing, and all the other magnificent sounds in my life.

But...

Some noises, well, they bug me. BUG ME.

I can hear gum chewers snapping their gum two counties over. Popcorn crunchers in theaters? It's as if they crawl onto my ear ledge and chomp as loudly as possible. Instant irritation pounces. I have zero patience or tolerance level for loud, snappy, chompy noises.

I feel bad about it.

My husband once locked the doors in our car and snapped his gum over and over (and over) as I dug my fingernails into the handrests and mentally repeated "don't lose it." When I finally let out a blood-curdling scream, he calmly rolled down his window, threw out his gum and informed me that's what he was waiting for.

Lest you think my husband a terrible ogre, I must say he's practically a saint. He can't chew gum around me for any length of time without getting severe looks of annoyance from me. Passive aggressive? Yep. He deserved his snap-a-thon. Hey, he may even deserve a purple heart for some of the stuff he puts up with.

What does this have to do with writing? Not much. Just felt like sharing. But noise in your writing area does affect you. Do you enjoy listening to music while you write? If yes, do you prefer upbeat contemporary, hard rock, light country, mellow jazz, or instrumental? Or do you need quiet? White noise? Background television?

What about a cat meowing at you? Oh, that's another perk of my office. That and our guinea pig squeaking at me. Hey, he's talking. I talk back.

Does your phone or cell phone ring often? Do you answer it every time? Do you need to answer it every time? Could you let it go to voicemail during your writing time and call back later?

I've tried listening to music while I write, but I found it very distracting. It's not for me.

These are just a few things to think about to maximize your writing experience. If putting on mood music and turning off your phone will help you squeeze out 250 extra good words a day, it's worth trying!

Join me on Friday when we'll discuss the final sense, taste.

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Using the Senses: Smell

We've been talking about creating a sensual writing environment, and today we're concentrating on the sense of smell. Are you aware of the smells around you?

You know I share the office with cat litter and a guinea pig, so I'm a hypocrite for even writing on this topic! But smells do affect me, especially homey smells like cinnamon, apples and vanilla. I appreciate fresh air whether the scent of freshly cut grass wafts in or not. What about the subtle smells--the faint paint odor and the distinctive smell of carpet--do they subconsciously affect my writing?

My daily cups of coffee wreath the office in a rich, decadent smell. Erica, who writes the terrific On the Write Path blog, relies on her beloved Earl Grey tea to write. When she mentioned it, I went ahead and picked up a tin. The spicy aroma teases my senses.

Have you ever played around with aromatherapy? Several years ago, I became intrigued with blending my own oils, and I still have many of them. Peppermint, cloves, rose, rosemary, lemongrass, lavender, anise--each gives off a unique smell and sparks a feeling within. The freshness of peppermint lightens me, brightens me. The husky deepness of cloves makes me yearn for candlelight.

Currently, my favorite odor in the office is the smell of a fresh-lit match followed by the melting of a scented candle. The guinea pig bedding is my least favorite. I may dust off the essential oils to override it. I know there's an essential oil burner in the closet somewhere!

It's fun to play around with smells when you're writing. Linger in a candle store and think about the feelings each candle evokes. Try an exotic votive for a frugal thrill. Purposely light a candle to match the mood of the scene you're working on. When you're finished, analyze if it helped your writing or not.

Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss the sense of sound.

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Using the Six Senses: Touch

We touch so many things on a daily basis, but we rarely think about how their feel affects our writing. If you write in a notebook, the softness of the paper, the flow of the ink from the pen, or the scratch of the pencil as it moves across the page impacts your mood. If you write on a computer, the feel of the keys beneath your fingertips affects your frame of mind.

What do we feel the most during the day? Our clothing. After all, it's hanging from our bodies. What do you wear? How does it affect you psychologically? There is no right answer here, only ideas for you to consider when you're getting dressed.

Does the thought of writing in your softest pair of pajamas sound like heaven? Try it! Or does that thought fill you with horror? Maybe you won't "feel" professional unless you're in business attire to write. That's okay too.

I wear casual clothes to write. I never write in my pajamas but know other writers who do. Who is correct? We all are. I do what's right for me, and they do what's right for them. The important thing is to feel comfortable when writing. If you're constantly adjusting pantyhose or sucking in your breath because your pants are too tight, you might want to try a different writing uniform. Maybe a tracksuit? A pair of jeans? Or at the very least, a pair of stretchy dress pants.

What about hair and makeup? You might object that hair and makeup don't apply to the sense of touch, but I disagree. Sometimes when I don't wear makeup, my face feels oily. I feel not-put-together. Does this affect my writing? I believe it does. However, other days, makeup feels like a mask--one I don't want to wear. I prefer the feel of my skin on those days. My hair always feels better brushed, but I let my mood decide on the style.

Also, do you enjoy touching soft things? My long-haired cat jumps on my lap occasionally, and her angora-like fur always makes me smile. A fluffy throw can produce the same, calming effect.

*** This is Cookie--my lovely writing partner. Are you catching the full red-eye glare from her blue eyes? My photo software cannot detect red-eye that big!

Let's talk temperature. Are you always hot, even in the throes of winter? Or do you need a sweater in July? Consider keeping a desktop fan nearby for those hot moments. And go ahead and leave a cardigan hanging over your chair--just in case. I get so cold in the winter, the skin on my fingers contracts and my rings fall off. This does not help my writing!

Does the sense of touch affect your writing? I'd love to hear from you!

Join me next week when we discuss the remaining senses: smell, sound, and taste.

Enjoy your weekend!

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Using the Six Senses: Sight

Today we're talking about using the gift of sight to enhance our writing space and to write more efficiently.

From last week's comments, I know many of you do not write in the same place every single time you write. I don't either. Most days I write in my office, but sometimes I write at a coffee shop, or I move my laptop to our kitchen table.


My laptop faces in the opposite direction as the window because I get distracted. And yeah, I'm snoopy. I'll watch the neighbors comings and goings, count how many birds are in the yard, determine the exact shade of the sky in an attempt to predict if it will rain. Do I want to waste my time? Of course not! It's just I'm a very visual person and it's hard for me to ignore movement. So I make sure there is no view for me to glance at when I'm writing.

When I write at a coffee shop, the lights and colors are usually conducive to help me write better. The only problem is the other customers. Movement! I can't help but check them out.

Colors and light also affect me. A too dim room may cause my mood to turn melancholy, which isn't good if I'm writing an upbeat scene. Ugly colors, clutter, or a glare on my laptop screen also affect my writing. I've learned to keep my desk tidy and the shades closed. This allows me to put out consistent work and find the correct mood for the scene.

Since I'd like to paint my office next year, I'm considering colors for it now. I don't think bright colors would work for me. Definitely not gray. I'm not an orange person. Magazines trigger ideas, so I'll just keep clipping until my brain fuses the perfect combination. The colors and decor have to soothe, have to be comfortable, have to put me in safe frame of mind.

What sights affect your writing? Windows? Light variations? Colors? I can write in almost any surroundings, but I can't always write efficiently. What about you?

Guess what? Today I'm heading to a coffee shop, but I don't even plan to write. Why not, you ask? I'm meeting fellow writer and blogger extraordinaire, Jody Hedlund, for coffee!! What a blessing! Wouldn't it be nice if we could all get together for coffee? Sigh...

Join me on Friday when we'll discuss how the sense of touch affects your writing.

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Using the Six Senses to Write Efficiently: Intuition

Last week we discussed setting. Not the fictitious setting we make up for our books, no, we talked about where we write. It got me to thinking about how our surroundings affect us. What are we writers always being told to add to a scene? Sensory details. Can utilizing sensory details in our work space make us better writers?

And if cultivating the five senses can improve our writing, what about the debatable sixth sense?

Do you even believe in a sixth sense? Intuition--the elusive quality we can't put our finger on. It seems to lead us in the right direction. It alerts us to something we couldn't possibly know by rational means. Is it possible to nourish our sixth sense in our writing surroundings?



This is where rituals come in. No, I'm not going to recommend any sort of blood sacrifice! I'm talking about gentle rituals--rituals you make up to fit your needs. Do you have a routine you perform before you write? Does it enhance the direction your writing takes?

I've had different rituals over the years. Sometimes I have none, usually because I become super busy and let my calming routine slip just when I need it the most (kind of like the ol' exercise routine). A week or two will pass and a sense of careening out of control will hit me. It's my trigger to slow down and resume my predetermined list of steps to ground me in the moment.

My current ritual? I brew a pot of coffee before I sit down to work. When I'm ready to write, I light the candle on my desk. The hiss of the match, the tendril of smoke wafting in the air, and the crackle of the wick as it catches flame alert me it's time to work.



I used to be in the habit of saying a quick meditation: "God is with me. God is helping me. God is guiding me." Lately, I've let that one slip. Why? Who knows! Maybe I have a false sense of being in control? Maybe I'm in such a rush to get something done, I'm forgetting what's important? Whatever the reason, I'm bringing it back. It's always been such a comfort to me.

That's it. Coffee. Candle. Quick meditation reminding me God is in control.

But how does this relate to intuition?

Maybe it doesn't? I know my writing flows when I take a minute to ground myself. I feel less harried. Ideas pop into my mind. Directions I hadn't thought to take suddenly become crystal clear. And I'm going to let you in on my little secret: I believe intuition is the Holy Spirit guiding me.

If you have a ritual you perform before you write, I want to hear about it!

If you don't, why don't you try one? See if it cultivates your fertile imagination. I don't think it could hurt!

Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss using the gift of sight to enhance our writing.

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Slowing Down Will Speed You Up

Did you catch the title? Are you scratching your head, saying "huh?"

Slowing down to speed up sounds dumb, but it works. When we rush, rush, rush to check off our to-do list, we become less productive because we burn ourselves out. When you're burned out, your mood heads south. When you feel depressed, you're less productive.


So how do we avoid that viscious cycle? I honestly can't say I avoid it completely. It's difficult to maintain a balance day in and day out. The key is knowing when you're losing your way. I know how to spot the signs of burn-out and I know how to tip the balance back.


On Wednesday, we talked about the things that give us joy. After you wrote your list, you may have been surprised, the way I was, to find many of your joy-bringers quite accessible. You may also have felt a bit guilty, after all, none of the items seem suitable for a to-do list. (Unless you love to vacuum--in that case, you're guilt-free!)


I want you to throw any guilt over bringing joy to your life out the window. There's no reason to feel guilty about working moments of peace into your day. In fact, you should feel guilty if you don't work moments of joy into your day. It's called taking care of yourself. If you're not taking care of yourself, who will? It's your responsibility.


When you spend time doing something on your joy-list, you grow closer to your true desires. The process slows you down enough to hear what you really want. It also opens up new possibilities in your writing.

Ideas gravitate toward me when I'm relaxed and open to them.


I've also found that taking the time to do something on my joy-list motivates me to write more. My creativity expands as I find more joy in my life.


When you do things you enjoy, you're being generous. By listening to yourself, you learn to trust your decisions. It's like when a baby learns to trust his mother by the repetitive cycle of crying then being taken care of. You, like the baby, build faith in yourself. Don't ignore the cries in your soul just to get another lousy thing done on your to-do list. It's not worth it.

I hope you'll spend time this weekend sneaking in a few items on your joy-list.


Next week we're going to tackle that ugly beast: procrastination.

Enjoy your weekend!

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