TELL THE TRUTH, AND TELL IT FAST-
Have you ever spent so much time editing a photo on your phone, drafting a text or writing a story/blog post that you’ve completely forgotten the point and lose direction and/or interest? Same.
Typically, what we want to say takes a lot longer to draft than what we actually want someone to hear, because we're busy scrutinizing things that don't make a ding-dong-dang difference if the story is shit and doesn't go anywhere.
If I’m writing with a specific audience in mind, I’ll start with a small bullet point list called, “what I need you to hear”. We both know our reader will take what resonates, make their own meaning and hear what they want from our words, but making a sort “wish list” of your intended message will help to stay focused and free of unnecessary filler words and ramblings.
WRITE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU IN THE MOMENT-
If you've ever met me, even for 30 seconds when I sampled your cheese at the deli counter at Whole Foods, you'd know I have a lot of feelings about a lot of things all the time. But when it comes to writing those feelings and ideas down, when I'm truly moved, I MUST take action and perhaps so should you. You're a writer. You're always going to write, no matter what...but when you feel particularly inspired, take advantage of that in the moment (even if you have to pull over into the parking lot of a random high school, and write a poem that was exploding out of you...do it!)
TAKE NOTES ALL. THE. TIME.-
This one complements the above tip. If you cannot sit down and complete a piece in the moment, THAT'S FINE! Keep a notebook and a pen handy (i.e. an iPhone with a Notes section) and write down the image, word, phrase, etc. as it pops into your head. DO NOT assume you will remember it later. YOU WON'T. Write it down. AND THEN put the whole thing together ASAP, as the idea, feeling, inspiration is fresh in your mind.
EASY DOES IT ON THE DESCRIPTION -
Don’t get me wrong; adjectives are the shit, and that timeless tip, “show, don’t tell” serves us as writers.
AND / HOWEVER… give your readers credit; it's a scientific fact that what we don't see, we will make up and what our mind isn't shown, it will fill in the blanks. This makes for an incredible reading experience; allowing our audience to fill in some blanks, to step into our shoes, with room to wiggle around and find themselves in our words. It's a gift we give to our audience. Overly describing what a character looks like takes a little agency away from our readers.
**Some Extra Personal Touches that Make Me Feel Better as a Creative Writer**
1. OILS- Duh. If you thought I wasn't gonna list essential oils as a way I enhance my creativity and overall being as a writer and human, you don't know me at all, and we should see a counselor. Here are the 3 main oils I use when I sit down to write:
* Focus Blend: This includes Patchouli, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Lime, Ylang Ylang and Roman Chamomile. All intended to keep me focused and engaged so I don't OH! SHINY PENNY!
*Clary Sage: The Oil of Clarity and Vision. I rub a drop of this oil over my chest and a drop between my eyebrows (seat of intuition/6th Chakra) for more clarity...and...vision. Yea.
*Wild Orange: The Oil of Abundance. This oil is associated with the 2nd Chakra, which governs creative energy, pleasure and enjoyment. (All necessities in my writing and thriving process)
*Because of FDA rules and blah blah blah, I can't tell you the brand of oils I use and trust, but if you want to learn more, let me know by COMMENTING BELOW. ;-)
2. BRUSHED TEETH: Morning is usually my peak time to write and I refuse to create anything unless my mouth feels clean. A clean mouth makes a clean voice makes a clean writing piece. Trust me.
3. MY GLASSES: Because I can't see without them and they are amazing.
Happy Writing!