Start the Road to Creativity

Hi All,

I mentioned in previous post that some people feel that they can't write. That it's something unattainable for them when in fact it's not.  Anyone can write, it's just that some feel they can't or don't know how to get started.  They want to journal write or attempt to write the novel in their head but are scared to do so.

Writing is like any other creative endeavor, it just needs to be nurtured so it can grow. It's a matter of finding the voice inside you and letting it out, to not be afraid of the words it speaks.  If anything, you must embrace the voice of creativity that lurks in  you.

Writing can take various forms - poetry, essay, short stories, and novels are just some examples of the things we can wield with a pen or a keyboard. Writing is more than communication, it's a voice that offers us insight and worlds unknown.  It is up to us to explore and share.

Over the years, I've been in discussions with people who are unsure how to get their creativity going and so today I offer a starting point to open the flood gates.  It's time to awaken the creative part of yourself!

The first part of this writing adventure is to get a journal book.  Any kind of book is fine but make sure it's one that will serve the purpose of your adventure. If you feel that you're more of a computer person then set up a folder for your writing to go in.  I would however recommend going the journal book route because your journal book is more organic in nature.  You can do things with it that you can't do with a computer.

To begin your adventure do the following:

1) Buy a journal book (or set up a special writing folder on your computer);
2) Make sure you have a good set of pens for writing;
3) Write down your writing goal(s) and write a brief description about it.

You're already on your way into the world of creativity.  Don't freak out about your writing goals.  You may not have any or maybe your goal is simply to try writing.

As always, I leave you with a musical treat.  Crank this up and get your groove on as Freddie King reminds us to "Let The Good Times Roll".

Rock on!
~Maynard

The New Year Begins

Another year is in the books! The past year, 2014, flew by fast for me while I worked on my book and published it.  I started a new story in November which has the potential to be turned into my next published book if I choose or split into multiple books. 

The past year saw many creative projects for me besides writing and as 2015 starts I have plenty of creative projects I wish to accomplish this year.  One of those creative projects is working on a creative journal book.  I have made a rough copy of it. It's not meant to be a real book but the possibility is there.

Many people freeze up when it comes to writing or just trying to be creative.  The journal is more like a yearly planner but there are things to do per month like write down a quote that you connect with or go out and do a random act of kindness.  There is more to it but it is very simplistic.  Writing or being creative overwhelms people who normally are not in that mindset.  The journal is to help bridge that world.

I took up knitting again and hope to finish the scarf that I have begun.  I am using one of those looms you see in craft stores which makes it a bit easier than the traditional use of knitting needles.

I do want to make an attempt to take more photos.  I loved taking photos as a kid and while photos these days are digital it takes all the fun out of getting them developed and seeing what you get back.  I miss those days of submitting a roll of film.

Ah - the good ol' days.

I want to wish all of you a happy and wonderful 2015.  Now get creative!

~Maynard

Why do I participate in NaNoWriMo?

Hi All,

While NaNoWriMo ended weeks ago it's still lingering for a number of reasons.  The fine folks at NaNoWriMo are now encouraging people to edit it their November stories. This is something I can't do - at least not in the month of December.

There are plenty of articles online from writers and others in the literary world who hate that NaNoWriMo exists.  According to many of them, NaNoWriMo is the worst thing ever brought to life. The critics bring some convincing arguments to their battle cry of why this yearly writing pilgrimage is a horrible thing.

I have to agree with some of them because a few people will go out and self-publish their November writing without getting an editor, rewriting it numerous times or putting in the effort and endless hours to take what they created and bring it to its brilliance.  This makes the author look bad and just gives the critics more fire power.

I have nothing against self-publishing as I do it myself.  It's great, as it allows me full control of my work.  It allows me to find the right editor, the right cover, and graphic designer.  It allows me to work on my novel for as long as it takes.  That's what happened with my most recent novel that came out in October.  That story started back in 2011, sat for a good year before I went back to it again.  Then it was six months of rewriting, having someone read it for feedback, rewriting it again, then editing it and working on it a bit more. This process took a whole year.

I went through 50 different titles and numerous photos trying to find the one that captured the soul of the novel.  I spent a lot of time in the creation of this novel and in the end it was something that I was proud to have created and shared the creation with numerous other creative people.

That's the thing.  Yes, I wrote a novel but I wasn't alone in it's creation.  I was the main creator but I had other creative types help me.  I had a photographer whose photo caught my eye to use, I had a friend who was a graphic designer lend her talents and I had an editor who truly loves their job.  These people are creative in their own ways and they assisted me in bringing my novel to life.

I participate in NaNoWriMo because it lets me flesh out ideas that I may have.  It forces me to work the story idea out even though it's a rough draft.  From what I write during NaNoWriMo it will or will not speak to me in a way that suggests I continue on with it.  I have participated in NaNoWriMo for ten years and three of my stories have become published.

I think this is what people miss about NaNoWriMo.  It's meant to help all of us on some level.  For some, it motivates them to trying writing.  For others, it's the challenge that inspires them to try and write 50,000 words in 30 days.  Some people see the event as a chance to bring an idea to life, for others its a way for them to become better writers.  Its a chance to experiment. There are many reasons why people participate in this event.  There are good things that come out of participating whether you hit the 50,000 words or not.

I participate in NaNoWriMo simply because I love to write.  It is the most wonderful feeling in the world to liberate myself with the stroke of a pen or a clack on the keyboard. In an afternoon I can create a person, I can create a whole new world and at the same time I can destroy it all if I so choose and come back the next day and do it all again.

That's it for me, kids.  I leave you with "Straight from The Heart" by Bryan Adams as your musical treat.

Rock on!
~Maynard

 

December Ramblings

I am currently on a break from writing anything new but continue to read my ramblings from November when I participated in NaNoWriMo.  I could add more detail to what I have written and could easily break it into two books.  I don't know what will become of this particular story as I don't always turn one of my NaNoWriMo manuscripts into a book.

I have plenty of other ideas swimming in my brain and write them down in notebook I have that contains story ideas, character names, locations and other interesting things. I have been toying with the idea of creating a special book for writers but who knows.  I need to iron that idea out a bit.

In recent weeks, I have been re-introduced to the world of comic books. The last time I read a comic I was a kid and it was Wonder Woman.  I wish I still had that comic.  These days I have been reading The Crow, Bodies, Hellblazer and Suicide Risk.  I only have one or two issues of each of these but comics have certainly come a long way from when I read them as a kid.

Comics are visual stories with interesting dialogue and dilemmas. It made me wonder if I could turn one of my stories into one.  It would be an interesting project to say the least and I may just have to give it a try one day.

For now, I will enjoy the outdoors after four days of continuous snow.  It has left a nice white blanket all around. In the early morning hours when the sky has a hint of pink and purple in it, it's quite beautiful to look at.  Today, I am leaving you with Bing Crosby's version of Walking In a Winter Wonderland as your musical treat.

~Maynard

National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo is here and I like many others are busy writing away for 30 days.

At the moment, I am at the 36,000 word mark which is pretty good considering I'm only 9 days into to the challenge which lasts all of November. If I can keep on top of things, I hope to hit the 50,000 word mark by next weekend but anything can happen.

NaNoWriMo (http://NaNoWriMo.org) is a writing challenge where you spend November 1 to November 30th trying to write 50,000 words.  This is the challenge that I and many others around the world are attempting to do.  This is my tenth year of participating in this challenge and I always have a blast.  I encourage people to at least try it once and join in the craziness of it all.  It really is fun.

As I noted on the main page of my website, my new book will be available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other book sellers soon.  If things go as scheduled it should be listed on those sites by Christmas.  However, I would encourage people to get a head start on getting a copy by buying it through Lulu.com.  Not only that you might find some other gems to give as gifts.

While I am busy writing away for NaNoWriMo not much else is going on in the creative brain. I have plenty of story ideas and characters names which I'm sure I'll get to using at some point.

For my fellow writing buddies who are participating in NaNoWriMo, remember to sleep, eat well and stay hydrated to keep those creative ideas flowing.  The other advice I can share is to save often and make a back-up of your story because it will happen that you are working away and your computer decides to have an error and you lose almost everything.  It happened to me once and since then I made a back up copy so that I can keep working.

Best of luck to all of you and with that in mind I leave you with today's musical treat.  Gosh, I miss the 80's.  Here is Corey Hart with "Never Surrender".  I swear to you it's not David Duchovny.

Rock On!
~Maynard