November is known around the creative world as National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo as it is often called. I don’t mention it because I am taking part in it this year. Don’t get me wrong – I have considered it the last two years, but last year I was finishing up Anything is Possible and this year, I’m fixing to move so my energies are elsewhere at the moment.
I do have an idea I am fleshing out to turn into a novel, but it’s not quite alive in my head yet. I still need to get the arcs fully-fledged and living. So, until then I am focused on building the story, but also continuing the learn and grow as a writer.
So, in honor of NaNoWriMo, I have taken a few of the days in the early part of this month to be creative with words. I keep a book, The Write Brain on my desk anytime I want a writing prompt. Some are fun. Some are challenging. but in the end, these prompts keep my writing fresh and also challenge me to try to new things.
What are the benefits of participating in NaNoWriMo or just focusing on being creative?
1. It keeps you alive. We are creative beings and you have to do it in order to be creative. Just like a musician who doesn’t play music, sing or write music, you must do what you love.
2. Focusing on your craft, even if for no other purpose than practice keeps you fresh. Freshness breads new ideas and helps keep the passion alive.
3. Something amazing can happen. When you do something just for the fun of it, you can create something amazing. Or better yet, a new idea can be formed that can transform your life.
Get to it – do what you love!
(flickr photo via jenorton)
First, an idea must be born. Then the idea must be fleshed out and sometimes flushed down the toilet. At no time is it easy. Then the idea must be turned into a lot of words… and I mean a lot! Then those words are deleted to the ever growing heap pile of passive verbs and then sentences, paragraphs and sometimes entire pages are re-written.
