Unloading

Where is your creativity at these days? Are you feeling completely blocked? Is your head so loaded with 'whatever' that you can't make out the creative thoughts from the inner ramblings?

What if you went with those inner ramblings? What would they say? Today, start unloading your brain. Dump everything out onto paper and see if you can make heads or tails of it. Keep the stuff you think is worth keeping and dispose of anything that you don't like.

Now... what do you have left? Work with it. Don't judge.

There's something about going with the flow.


This week, check out this website: The Muse Online Writer's Conference

Having Fun

I just discovered the website 'Wordle' that will take words from your RSS or Atom fed blog or website and turn it into a word cloud. It's very artistic. Alternatively, you can add your own fun and meaningful words.

Making Creative Scents

Last night as I was out for a walk, my senses came to life by numerous neighbourhood smells. Aside from the McDonald's that was pumping out burger smell, there were other more memorable scents that permeated my psyche.

The first smell was that of the trees whose leaves are quickly changing colour. Every fall, as the tree goes into hibernation, it emits this certain smell that is warming, calming and earthy. It feels like coming home.

The second smell was one I hadn't encountered in a long time. Someone was doing laundry and the smell of their detergent or dryer sheets reminded me of a school friend that I haven't seen in 20 years. I remember her clothes always smelling this particular way. It reminded me of a time when things were a little bit easier and fun.

I love the fall and everything that comes with it.

In your daily writings, be inspired and open up to all that is happening around you.

Tying Up Loose Ends

I'm tying up some loose ends today--I decided to change my blog name to Inspired Writing. I like it better. It's really what I'm trying to get at. As I tweak my own career and figure out my likes and dislikes, I find myself hopefully evolving.

Second on the list is regarding my upcoming Creative Kids Writing Playshop which is being held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at Fish Creek Public Library.
Date: Saturday October 18/08
Time: 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Cost is $60.00
Ages: 9 to 12 years
Register by October 10/08
If you are in the Calgary area and want your child to learn important writing techniques that will help them with their creativity and self expression, just email me at tamara.hanson@shaw.ca.

Third on the list: I have to mention my fellow writer Ian Healy. Well, I don't have to. He isn't making me and he doesn't know I'm mentioning him (well, not until he sees this post), but he has some really great stuff on the go that I think should be mentioned. He has a webcomic that I think is hilarious. Check it out here: The Adventures of the S-Team . He also has some books on the go you can check out here: http://www.ianthealy.com/ .

And last on the list is.....Okay, that's it. Hopefully, my child has a nap so I can do some work.

Keep writing!

Writing Prompt #302

Today's writing prompt should get you searching through your brain archives:

Think about the worst date you've ever been on. Bring up all those memories and thoughts from the date. Now, write a story about what you think happened to that person. Did they end up with their match made in heaven? Did they date again? Were they completely heartbroken when you didn't call them back?

Good luck!

The Creative Era

I'm not sure if you know who Daniel Pink is but he wrote a book called A Whole New Mind (that's him and his book to the right), which talks about how right-brained people will be ruling the future...(well, that's what the subtitle says.)

Basically, those people who are left-brained and have careers in left-brained type industries (like, I.T. etc) will find themselves at a loss as companies begin to outsource work to other countries, or to computers.

Creatives (right-brained types) are becoming invaluable to companies because they can effectively problem solve and think outside the box.

This is an interesting concept, especially considering that most of us have been taught that jobs in these left-brained dominant fields are lucrative and stable. These careers had always been considered 'real' jobs.

Many of us probably didn't think that writing could be a viable career option.

All I can say is: Start getting that right-brain into shape....looks like we'll be busy.

Success

Here is a popular quote on Success...although, no one can say for sure who first wrote it. Some say it was Ralph Waldo Emerson and others say that it was a woman named Bessie Stanley who penned it back in 1905. The one below had been altered from the original. Either way, it is a great quote.

Success is:

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.