“If music be the food of love, play on,” wrote Shakespeare. But it’s not just love that’s fueled by music. Moods, memories, energy level, motivation (or lack of it), desires, fears—all of these can be influenced by an inspired lyric or a well-crafted melody. And let’s not forget music’s effect on creativity. Many of the…
Tag: creativity
BREAKTHROUGH
Hey writers and other creative types, do you need an emotional and very supportive kick-in-the-pants? I highly recommend Breakthrough: How to Overcome Doubt, Fear, and Resistance to Be Your Ultimate Creative Self by Todd Mitchell. Mitchell, who lives in Fort Collins and directs the Beginning Creative Writing Teaching Program at Colorado State University, knows the…
Writers: Focus Your New Year’s Resolutions on You, Not Your Wordcount
Every January, many writers—including me—list their writing resolutions for the New Year. These goals often focus on publication and productivity, such as: “Submit my completed novel to 15 agents.” “Write 3 short stories.” “Enter 2 speculative fiction contests.” “Write a new blog post twice a month.” “Finish the first draft of my new novel about…
Magic
Last spring I finished what seemed like the “book from hell”. Every chapter felt dredged from the depths of my creative soul. Like getting water from a well running dry, I could only scoop up a bare teaspoonful of story at a time. It got worse when two thirds of the way through I realized…
Santa’s gift to me—and to you!
A friend sent me this photo, and I laughed out loud. Then a sensation overcame me. You know the feeling, a little tingling in your psyche as the miracle of creativity takes hold, transporting you to a place of bliss and visions and words. A backstory of Santa’s predicament came to mind in gentle bursts…