Category Archives: writing tips

Writing and the Creative Imagination – How to Avoid Writer’s Block

http://craigswritingarticles.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/writing-and-the-creative-imagination-how-to-avoid-writers-block/
writers block

This short article was a reply to a question in a literary magazine on how I use my creative imagination (or subconscious mind) to help overcome writer’s block . Thought I’d share a few simple thoughts on how to use the amazing powers of your creative imagination to the fullest in overcoming “writer’s block”…

*

Just letting you know that I start all my novels with a basic plot and a central theme or message (a simple plan) and don’t have much idea how it’s all going to end up (“pan out”). I don’t consciously use techniques, like “mind-mapping” and have found that by writing one chapter at a time then simply “letting go”, the story simply flows onto the next naturally (at least I think it does!). It’s simply a matter of taking one step at a time, then waiting for “inspiration“*, which may take an hour, a day, a week, or perhaps even a month (if you are a very patient writer – definitely not one of my virtues!).

* By the way, the word “inspire” translated from the ancient Greek language, literally says, “God breathed life into”.

Not that it’s Greek to me – this “not classical language scholar”!

When I get “stuck” for a while, I take a break with a long walk along the stunningly beautiful beaches here, which really relaxes me and then the thoughts simply “flow into my head.”

This takes hold and I get a clear vision of the next small step ahead (always) – through the amazing powers of the
subconscious mind, which is where our INSPIRATION* comes from… and this leads, impels (nice word!) us into ACTION. Thought seeds energy, which results in the choice of action)

Its up to us to ACT on our “creative feelings”. I study and write quite a bit about the amazing powers of the human mind… and truly believe the ‘powers’ are available to ALL writers, when they simply relax and trust their intuition.
Imagination leads to intuition (“the way God communicates with us” via the antennae of the subconscious mind, I believe). So use the amazing and unlimited powers of your creative subconscious mind…

then

‘Let Go and Let God, the Universe reveal plot (or any idea to move forward) to you through your CREATIVE IMAGINATION…

and it never fails to work for me (in all areas of life, I believe)!

Sunrise

“The Prize” (Grand): A Tribute to Ernest Hemingway

http://seedsofhatetobondsoflove.wordpress.com/2013/11/03/the-prize-a-tribute-to-ernest-hemingway/

“THE PRIZE”: A TRIBUTE TO ERNEST HEMINGWAY (1899 – 1961)

These are my notes (in point form) I took from an excellent documentary on the life of the great American writer; so am sharing. Enjoy…

Firstly, some thoughts on his unique style, which revolutionized literature…

From http://craigswritingarticles.wordpress.com and
http://seedsofhatetobondsoflove.wordpress.com/2013/11/03/the-prize-a-tribute-to-ernest-hemingway/

PPS
Also see http://raceinthezone.wordpress.com

“A Simple Recipe for Writing Success”: How To Write Creatively (from Online Creative Writing Course)

Article Title: “A Simple Recipe for Writing Success”: How To Write Creatively (from Online Creative Writing Course)
Author: Craig Lock
Category (key words): Writing, Creative Writing, Writing Hints/Tips, Writing Course, Creative Writing Course

Web sites: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.http://creativewritingcourse.blogtown.co.nz

www.craigswritingarticles.wordpress.com

http://writeanpublish.wordpress.com/

http://wanttowriteabook.wordpress.com/

www.nzwriter.wordpress.comand his various other blogs at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com

Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig!)

Publishing Guidelines:
This piece (as with all my articles) may be freely reproduced, electronically or in print
We hope that the following article (which is an extract from our online creative writing course) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. If it helps others “out there” in any way, then we’re happy.

“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”

*
Sharing Some Writing Tips: “A Simple Recipe* for Writing Success” (extracted from Online Creative Writing Course)

* That’s a metaphor, btw

“It’s easy being a writer… the hardest part is figuring how to make a living whilst one does so.”

“I got sick and tired of waiting for writing success… so just carried on without it.”

“Writing to me is like gasoline to an automobile, without it I would be immobilized.”
Carla J. Curtis, The Inspirational Literary
Entrepreneur

Here is a short article in the form of a bit of advice for aspiring writers, which I hope may be helpful.

My advice for aspiring writers* is as follows…

* What’s the definition of an aspiring writer? A waiter!

(Don’t worry, I was one too… though I spilt more than was left in the glass; so no wonder I just had to carry on writing!

* Write something every day. Regularity and practice makes “purrfect”.

* “Remember that getting published takes a great deal of
commitment and hard work.

* Learn patience. “Heaps!” Things move slowly in the world of publishing – usually far longer than initial promises.

* Treat writing as your career; so take it seriously.

* Learn everything you can about the writing “business” and the craft of writing… creatively, of course.

* Be open to criticism from your peers. Still far easier to
criticise than create, eh? Incidentally, there has never been a monument built honouring a critic!

* Listen to your heart, your intuition, the “core of your being” (sounds “real airy-fairy stuff” that, craig!). Write what you love – not what the MARKET wants (unless you are desperate for purely financial rewards from your writing). That’s not a “true writer”, I believe!

* Join a writers’ association and mix with other strange
“arty-farty, airy-fairy intellectual artistic/creative types”.

* “Write as you talk yourself.” – Maeve Binchy.

* Write as honestly as you can.

Writers help people to see the world differently – from the writer’s perspective. I believe that the writer’s obligation to readers is to instruct, entertain, or somehow extend one’s perceptions of life.

“I write because something inside myself, inner and unconscious forces me to. That is the first compulsion. The second is one of ethical and moral duty. I feel responsible to tell stories that inspire readers to consider more deeply who they are.”
– anon

“When you’re writing there are times when you feel it’s a bit of a struggle. However, at other times you’re in what is called ‘the zone’ and writing just feels effortless. This happens when finding the right words is no longer a struggle; but this heightened state, as with most crafts usually comes with practise. Then words simply flow into your head faster than you can write them down (or can press the keyboard). But you have to really push your writing limits to get this kind of experience. “

Then later you look what you’ve written and think: “Bloody hell. That’s good. Did I really write that seemingly without much effort? Wonder where all that came from (a cerebral thing or “outer space”!”

– A “nony-moose” writer

To the sounds of click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogPZ5CY9KoM

#

My writing “journey” of my various books is my life journey: one of ideas, beliefs, values and so on – of growth as a person and a human ‘bean’, hopefully. And* I write to try to make some difference, a better world in my ‘own litle way’.

* Can I begin a sentence with the conjunctive (big word, eh!) ‘And’?
Yes, ‘cos it’s your article, craig.

To end off, always remember,

* Make your story real. Be totally honest to the story that is being told.

* Writing is hard (and sustained) work – a writer has to work hard every day, even when one does not feel inspired. So I make sure I’m inspired at 6 or 7am (and sometimes earlier) each day.

* Small ideas become bigger, when you leave to your creative subconscious mind. Seek inspiration (from within and or externally from God, “the Ultimate Source”) regularly.

* Revise your work constantly; but one has to “call a halt”
sometime.

* Strive for perfection, but accept excellence in your writing.

* Believe in yourself and in the quality of your work. You have something unique to offer the world: in the form of your creative imagination, together with the gift of sharing something of yourself.

Finally,

There is tremendous power in imagination: YOUR creative imagination. Albert Einstein stated: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Napoleon believed that “the human race is governed by it’s imagination.”

Pascal: “Imagination disposes of everything; it creates beauty, justice and happiness, which is everything in this world.”

Use it well and it’s amazing power will astound you –
in your writing as well as in all areas of your life.

Remember that dreams can come true in your writing…
and in your life.

Happy writing and good luck*

Craig Lock (Eagle Productions Books)

* which is sometimes defined as where ‘preparedness meets opportunity’

“The world would have you agree with its dismal dream of
limitation. But the light would have you soar like the eagle of your sacred visions.”
– inspiring words from Alan Cohen

What’s the definition of an aspiring author?
A waiter!

What’s the difference between a writer and a family pizza?
The pizza can feed a
family of four!

About the author:
Craig is a writer, who believes in (and loves) sharing information with a touch (“dash or two”) of humour, as well as encouraging and helping others to find their talents and gifts, to strive for and accomplish their dreams in life – whatever they may be.

The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” (including ‘Write Rite and be Published’: All that I Know about Writing, How to Write Creatively., as well as his other books on the art of writing) are available at

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock

The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.http://creativewritingcourse.blogtown.co.nz

www.craigswritingarticles.wordpress.com

http://writeanpublish.wordpress.com/

http://wanttowriteabook.wordpress.com/

www.nzwriter.wordpress.comand his various other blogs at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com

“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”

All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children – MINE!

Don’t worry about the world ending today…
as it’s already tomorrow in little scenic and tranquil New Zealand

THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED