Writing Inspiration, the BlogHer Way

I had a great time at BlogHer '10--I enjoyed meeting new people, saying hello to familiar faces, and learning more about blogging.

I particularly enjoyed the writing sessions.  This is what I got out of Writing Inspiration:  Stoke Your Creativity, with Rita Arens, Carleen Brice, and Jan Sokoloff Harness.  Hope it helps you, too. 

Focus on one specific thing (the color yellow)--it will clear your mind.

Go for a writing walk--do something mindless, be physically active--let the story shape itself.

Take a different path--see the world through a different lens.

Look around your house--watch your life like it's a TV show--it'll change your perspective.

Put yourself into a character's shoes.  Think about how a 10-year-old would look at this, or how your mom would look at it.

Approach writing as actors approach acting.  Speak out loud and gesture.  Be a method writer. 

You can use scenes from your life, but change the characters and the settings. 

Don't necessarily expose your friends and family.  Take real life and carve it into fiction.

Think about current events--write about your reactions to the world.

Ask someone for ideas, perhaps your readers.

When you hear negative voices in your head, visualize a big Stop Sign.

Write every day (if you can)--in the early morning, after dinner, late at night, whenever you can.  Be consistent.  Unplug the phone, email, & twitter.

Have a notebook and pen with you at all times to jot down your ideas.  Or call yourself and leave a voicemail.

Omit unnecessary words and even paragraphs.  The first paragraph is often just "throat-clearing."  The last paragraph may often be deleted.

Read other writers and get involved in a writer's group.  Take writing classes and workshops.

Most importantly, write for yourself--not for others.