tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post8679668965463991611..comments2024-03-21T17:22:02.012-05:00Comments on Musings of an Elf: The Circle of CreativityChristine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-6089947727868827562016-04-17T22:58:23.692-05:002016-04-17T22:58:23.692-05:00Thank you!!! And I LOVED your "Write Anyway&q...Thank you!!! And I LOVED your "Write Anyway" post! Like I said, sometimes just forcing yourself to continue writing is a very good thing. I can literally make an argument both ways. I think it just depends on the situation. Like you, I often focus too much on the work and getting things done and never allow myself time to relax and recharge. I'm *trying* to find that balance, but I'm not that great at it. XD<br /><br />Awww, your Friday mornings sound so precious! My Sundays are kind of like that. Usually Sunday afternoons the whole family just sits around talking and watching TV and just resting and refueling before the new week starts. I've really come to value Sundays.<br /><br />That's the bessst! It is so very awesome how we can get entire huge story ideas from the smallest things. My enormous Colors of a Dragon Scale series came from one single picture I saw online one time. It's just so fun how our brains do that!<br /><br />Oh goodness, you're so welcome! It makes me happy to hear this post was inspiring. ^_^Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-33519650055982334162016-04-17T19:42:55.126-05:002016-04-17T19:42:55.126-05:00*peeks into conversation*
*drools over typewriter*...*peeks into conversation*<br />*drools over typewriter*<br />That is an epic thrift shop find right there. :)Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-78345661571985612852016-04-17T19:40:07.345-05:002016-04-17T19:40:07.345-05:00This is a WONDERFUL post! I think you perfectly il...This is a WONDERFUL post! I think you perfectly illustrated the flipside of that thing I posted a while back ("Write Anyway"), and it's something I need to be reminded of. I can get so caught up in DOING all the time, in plugging along and struggling to churn out words when I just don't have them in me... But I *need* to refuel.<br /><br />And we don't just have to sit around waiting for a bolt of inspiration. We can intentionally find ways to soak it up, like you said! (I loved all your analogies, btw.) Bookstores definitely do that to me too, and so does OUAT and Marvel! No surprises there, right? XD I also find Friday mornings often get my creative juices flowing. It's my dad's day off, so if my mom and I are also home, then it's one big family day. We'll often have homemade cinnamon buns or something for a late breakfast, then linger and just talk about all kinds of stuff. Those mornings don't happen as much as they used to, but almost every time, I walk away with my mind churning and ready to WRITE something. ^_^<br /><br />Heh, and the other day, I was having a lighthearted-yet-philosophical discussion about time travel with a couple people I know, and one offhanded phrase morphed into a title/novel idea. It's awesome how inspiration is lurking everywhere. :D<br /><br />Thank you for another inspiring post, Christine! Seriously, just reading this makes me want to go read for hours or write for hours...or both. XDTracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-52915393306448837602016-04-17T13:39:32.890-05:002016-04-17T13:39:32.890-05:00*tackles* THANK YOU. I'm so happy you like it!...*tackles* THANK YOU. I'm so happy you like it!<br /><br />I understand that! I've been having that problem, too. We only ever seem to want to write when we're too busy to. XD<br /><br />Being surrounding by books is sooo inspiring! But I do the same while reading sometimes. Some books are just so good it's discouraging. But we have to remember, we all have different tastes and different styles, and the world needs each of our stories. Just because there are already great stories out there, doesn't mean there shouldn't be more.<br /><br />Isn't it so cool how we can get inspired by ANYTHING? I just love how inspiration strikes anywhere and everywhere.<br /><br />Getting started again is soooo HARD. I completely and totally understand. It took me so long to get started editing BT after my break in December. Take your time! Soak up some inspiration around you. There is absolutely no reason you have to jump into it while you're still drained.<br /><br />You comment has just made my day! Thank you! <333Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-19496802920205918782016-04-17T13:28:43.116-05:002016-04-17T13:28:43.116-05:00AGH. That's horrible!!! D: Our bookstores are ...AGH. That's horrible!!! D: Our bookstores are severely lacking, but we do have a Lifeway and Books-a-Million, and of course the little secondhand one I work at. But they're all pretty small. Still, I hate you don't have any. That's just awful.<br />Libraries are amazing! Even the smell stirs creativity in me.<br /><br />Oh yes, I do the same with books! Most of the time I get inspired, but there are still plenty of times I just want to give up because why bother when there's so much gorgeous writing out there? But I guess we don't supposed to be thinking that way. Showers, yes! Over half my ideas and plot problems get worked out in the shower.<br /><br />Wow! 15k words? You go, Sophia!! I think I write non-fiction (such as these blog posts) faster and easier as well, even though I like fiction much better. But you know, I think you're right. Sometimes too much inspiration can be overwhelming and make us NOT want to write. It's a paradox.Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-56103123707143494252016-04-17T13:18:35.026-05:002016-04-17T13:18:35.026-05:00It is! I declare our writer brains are on the same...It is! I declare our writer brains are on the same brainwave.<br /><br />Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about your spacebar! I had to replace my keyboard on my old laptop one time because the h key kept popping off plus some other things weren't working well. So I understand the frustrations of that! I hope you can get that fix and get back into the flow of writing. Sometimes writing is so hard, not smooth sailing at all.Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-85499454021408499662016-04-17T13:15:29.161-05:002016-04-17T13:15:29.161-05:00Lol! I definitely go through a writer's rut wh...Lol! I definitely go through a writer's rut when I'm not reading a lot. I think reading and writing just have to go hand-in-hand.<br /><br />Ah yes, YouTube. Such a time sucker! I understand. I try to avoid it for that very reason, but then I get on Pinterest and waste half my life there instead, so. XD Basically the internet in general. It does like to take all our time. Such a problem!Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-28567065222850096252016-04-17T12:11:01.712-05:002016-04-17T12:11:01.712-05:00THIS POOOOOST! Yes to all of it. <3 You have su...THIS POOOOOST! Yes to all of it. <3 You have such a way with words too! ^_^ My main problem lately is either not having time to write but wanting to, or having time and not wanting to. >.> (Kind of like not managing to comment on this lovely post till a week later. AHEM.) BUT YES I LOVE BOOKSTORES AND LIBRARIES AND JUST LKAJSLKDFJLDKJ. They make me so happy. I don't go nearly often enough, but there's just something about being surrounded by books that's inspiring? And yes, sometimes reading inspires me to, though oftentimes it also just makes me think NO WAY I'M EVER BEING THIS BRILLIANT SO WHYYY SHOULD I TRY. But that's a separate topic. ;) It's weird but I've been getting really inspired this year by random things like blog posts and essays on writing that I was reading... Of course, then I don't usually DO anything about it. >.> *guilt* A deepseated stuck-ness of writerlydom is not fun. Methinks I still haven't recovered from NaNo/Rooglewood writing and my accidentally long break afterwards, and one of the things about that is that GETTING STARTED AGAIN IS SO HAAARD. *flails* But anyways, yes, love this post, and the pictures you used make me positively squeal! ^_^ That Enchanted Roses/typewriter/pen pic is so GORGEOUS and I love the Peter Pan in Scarlet pic (fangirling!) and of course anything with the Avengers is a total win. ;) So... this is getting rambly, but I love this post, thank you for sharing it, and I think I'm going to have to give myself permission to dip into creativity around me and recharge and remember it's okay to be inspired. ^_^ THANK YOU! <3Deborah O'Carrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05969896655321575875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-14326546318105049432016-04-15T17:29:04.296-05:002016-04-15T17:29:04.296-05:00I've a sad confession to make: there are no bo...I've a sad confession to make: there are no bookstores anywhere near where I live. Now, when we lived in a city, on some Friday nights we'd go as a family to a bookstore, and I read more books there than we ever bought. Same with libraries --- I read books there instead of checking them out, unless they're really good. In which case we usually end up buying them anyway. Libraries are a source of inspiration, or at least motivation.<br />Reading good books can have the same effect on me, but sometimes they can be depressing, because I know I'll never be that good. I get lots of ideas in the shower. Sometimes a shower has been the efficient cause of the answer to a big problem in one story or another.<br />Last Saturday I went to a living history event with the group I'm in, and I've been writing about that day ever since (I'm almost done, and would have finished this morning, but school got in the way), and for some reason, whether because it's nonfiction, or simply the colour and atmosphere and beauty of this other time I call home, I've written over 15,000 words about it this week and haven't burned out --- which is quite odd. I'm beginning to wonder if such events aren't inspiring in themselves. It goes the opposite way with high holidays --- there's too much to write about, and of such great significance, I know at the start I can't do it justice. Too much inspiration, I guess, can be counterproductive. Sophia Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10393680730064003675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-59430025397212516422016-04-15T13:36:05.003-05:002016-04-15T13:36:05.003-05:00It's crazy how similarly we work as writers. X...It's crazy how similarly we work as writers. XD I get inspired by the same things you do. I've been taking more time browsing on Pinterest which has really helped juice get flowing. I've been in a bit of a slump lately. I've also had my sticky spacebar on my computer and it's actually made my thumb sore from writing and I just realized last night that it may actually be a reason why I've had trouble writing, because writing has been physically taxing. I felt bad because I just got a new keyboard last summer, but I'm finally making myself invest in it and hopefully that'll help as well.<br /><br />storitorigrace.blogspot.comVictoria Grace Howellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01849013182543674707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-72292158374763457822016-04-15T13:20:14.250-05:002016-04-15T13:20:14.250-05:00OOHHHH! Maybe I'm not writing because I'm ...OOHHHH! Maybe I'm not writing because I'm not reading? *lightbulb comes on* THAT MAKES ALL THE SENSE!! Youtube is what sucks out all my time and creativity. I'm totally addicted to it. Even when I'm not watching videos there, I usually want to be, simply by force of habit. Aaanyway, I should try and work on that. XD Excellent post, Christine! :DRachel Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18174226975096744494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-39885819433721414752016-04-14T15:31:48.786-05:002016-04-14T15:31:48.786-05:00Lol! I do love my typewriter. I found it at a thri...Lol! I do love my typewriter. I found it at a thrift shop and knew it had to come home with me.<br /><br />Thank you! Awww, that's sad you don't get to bookstores much. But I understand. Only here recently have I gone bookstore crazy.<br /><br />YES. My brain is the same. It's so demanding. >.> Pinterest is one of my biggest sources of creativity...and procrastination, but that's a whole 'nother story. ;)Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-82646630075748091132016-04-14T15:28:57.835-05:002016-04-14T15:28:57.835-05:00That makes me so happy to hear!! I understand havi...That makes me so happy to hear!! I understand having a hard time squeezing writing into life. I've been struggling with that for the past few months, and I'm realizing I just have to make time. Like you said, even ten minutes is progress!<br /><br />I agree! I can't help but occasionally imagine my own book sitting amidst all the pretty ones on the store shelves. It's very motivational!<br /><br />The Narnia stories are fantastic inspiration! I'm with you. They always refuel my creativity. Such masterful tales. Love 'em!Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-7957518080552591482016-04-14T15:25:44.093-05:002016-04-14T15:25:44.093-05:00Nooo, that's not weird! I'm the same! I de...Nooo, that's not weird! I'm the same! I declare over half my ideas have come in the shower or while I'm brushing my teeth. XDChristine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-45956972984307716242016-04-14T15:25:02.037-05:002016-04-14T15:25:02.037-05:00I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Oh, you. *blushes* A ...I am so glad you enjoyed it!<br />Oh, you. *blushes* A genius? Not even sort of! But you're so sweet. <3<br /><br />OUaT is just amazing. So inspirational!Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-74574270468489112022016-04-14T15:23:58.076-05:002016-04-14T15:23:58.076-05:00Thank you! ^_^
Oooh, we have a BAM. I love going ...Thank you! ^_^<br /><br />Oooh, we have a BAM. I love going there! Sadly, I've never actually been in a Borders. We don't have that OR a B&N. Just a BAM. I always feel deprived. XD<br /><br />Celtic music is the BEST. I love it myself!<br /><br />You know, I think sometimes it's more a paradox than a circle. Because I'm the same way. Some books are just so good, I know I'll never, ever be able to write like that, and it's discouraging. But, as you said, the beauty of it is refreshing. The life of a writer, am I right?<br /><br />Out of all the books on my bookshelf, that was my first pick for the picture. It's just too gorgeous--the cover and the contents! <333Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-38995097055666876042016-04-14T15:19:46.408-05:002016-04-14T15:19:46.408-05:00Absolutely! We have to refuel are own creativity v...Absolutely! We have to refuel are own creativity via other's.<br /><br />Those are my favorite moments! I think you pinpointed it! It's just so inspiring seeing such well told stories. We can't help but try it ourselves.<br /><br />I love it! It's been a real blessing to me. ^_^Christine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-62569464711362402132016-04-14T15:17:47.803-05:002016-04-14T15:17:47.803-05:00Thank you! (*puts lock on keyboard and eyes you su...Thank you! (*puts lock on keyboard and eyes you suspiciously* Mine. :P)<br /><br />Isn't it the best feeling?? Exactly! Brilliant stories are so motivational!<br /><br />Balance is key...and something I'm reeeally bad at. I'll either pour all my time into writing, or mess around and just read. There never seems to be a good mix. So I'm trying really, really hard to find that balance this year. It could be going better... But at least I'm trying!<br />You wrote 3.5k words in April so far? AAAAHHHH! MARY. That is awesome!!! You go, girl! *fistpump*<br /><br />Now you know I just added Lady Moon to my TBR list. XDD Your evil plan worked. (Like I'm complaining.) But seriously, that story sounds EPIC. And the cover is gorgeous. I wants it. o.o<br /><br />You can absolutely call me Lauri! I used to go by Lauriloth (which means shining, golden flower in Tolkien's elven language, because ya know, TOLKIEN AND ELVES) on the internets and thus became Lauri. I was that for yeeears until I switched to just using my real name. I actually still am getting used to people on the internet calling me Christine. Lauri was used so much it just feels natural. XDChristine Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15859881278385314279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-76697472074862208102016-04-13T19:41:26.175-05:002016-04-13T19:41:26.175-05:00*gapes at typewriter in header picture* Ooo, I mus...*gapes at typewriter in header picture* Ooo, I must get me one ... <br /><br />Wonderful post, Christine, I loved it! I don't get to go to bookstores very often (*cries*), but I bet a visit to one would get some creativity moving (or at least the want to be creative XD)! <br /><br />Movies and music get my creative juices flowing quite often :). Sometimes I'll be listening to a song and all of a sudden my brain says 'write! must write! you haven't been writing. WHY AREN'T YOU WRITING?', and thus my brain bombards me with ideas :D. Pictures from Pinterest also gives me good ideas sometimes. Savannah Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16668452024211579085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-59180000540201290812016-04-12T10:08:21.764-05:002016-04-12T10:08:21.764-05:00Oh my. I SO needed this. That is EXACTLY how I fee...Oh my. I SO needed this. That is EXACTLY how I feel! I haven't written in ages... :[ But you have just inspired me to want to again. Even with all that's going on in my life right now, surely I can give a MINIMUM of ten minutes a day, right?? Thank you, dear Lauri! You are such a blessing! :] <3<br /><br />And yes! I get inspired by just looking at all the lovely books lining the shelves of stores. Makes me want to put one of my own up there. ;D Movies and TV shows are great inspiration. And Pinterest!! Yes. I'd have to say I've got a thing for the Narnia stories. They have so many awesome adventures and great characters, but still have that subtle hint of Faith etched in their pages--that's what I want my writing to be like as well. Sarah Cnossenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04095719269691352787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-78792537501837666562016-04-12T09:58:29.604-05:002016-04-12T09:58:29.604-05:00Also.... I love that first image in your post ;) ;...Also.... I love that first image in your post ;) ;) (of course, I'm biased) :)Jenellehttp://jenelleschmidt.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-35558130019601213502016-04-12T07:06:02.707-05:002016-04-12T07:06:02.707-05:00I actually soak up most of my creativity in the sh...I actually soak up most of my creativity in the shower I know it sounds weird but it's true ��Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-35143760609587212912016-04-11T19:07:37.776-05:002016-04-11T19:07:37.776-05:00I needed this post! Christine you are a genius. I...I needed this post! Christine you are a genius. I get inspiration from Once Upon a Time too!Skye Hofferthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02385765274513034927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-58938573310749580892016-04-11T17:12:02.239-05:002016-04-11T17:12:02.239-05:00Such a lovely post!
I love bookstores, too. I go...Such a lovely post! <br /><br />I love bookstores, too. I got to spend the afternoon yesterday in our local BAM (books a million) which is located in an old Borders store that they never revamped the interior on, so it feels exactly like being in a Borders... I miss Borders. B&N isn't the same.<br /><br />I love reading old favorites when I need some creative recharging... and listening to celtic music or Gordon Lightfoot.<br /><br />Sometimes, though, I get done with a particularly lovely, completely satisfying story... and I feel more drained, more discouraged, because if something that lovely always exists, then why bother even trying? And yet, there's also that delicious satisfaction of, "Ahhhhh, that was perfection itself." and I just want to bask in the enjoyment of finishing a beautiful story. Jenellehttp://jenelleschmidt.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4139091376044743904.post-7242311534463486202016-04-11T16:52:01.584-05:002016-04-11T16:52:01.584-05:00This is so true! Sometimes the best way out of a w...This is so true! Sometimes the best way out of a writing slump is to just take in the other stories and art and music in the world. <br /><br />I love those moments after finishing a great movie/book/TV episode when inspiration strikes and you want to WRITE ALL THE THINGS! I think maybe it has something to do with seeing a storytelling structure or method in a different light that is so inspiring. <br /><br />Working in a bookstore sounds like so much fun! Jameson C. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14273414704624735740noreply@blogger.com