When you get stuck for ideas, and the words won't flow, invariably it's because one, more or all of your senses aren't being stimulated.
Staring at a blank screen or sheet of paper really doesn't help. The best way to stimulate all your senses in one hit is to provide an inspirational space you can work with.
Lots of Feng Shui arrangements appear in western homes these days, and they're great, but outside those four walls of your writing space, there is another world bursting with enlightenment and inspiration.
Of course you may have to work at it a little, but hey, we all need some exercise sometimes!
Whether you have a balcony or a backyard, you can very simply build a natural living world to plunge into whenever you choose. If you have neither, consider renting a small patch of land or sharing a garden with someone.
Gardening conjures up all sorts of hard work images; tools, backache, blisters etc;. but it's only as hard as you make it. Start small and design your garden on paper first. Decide where you want herbs, flowers - and even vegetables, if you have the space and inclination!
A tiny balcony or back yard can be bordered with herbs and flowers. If you're staring at several square metres of concrete, don't despair. Plant your sensory stimulators in pots. Paint the pots different colours if you like.
Choose strong smelling, long lasting flowers, such as wallflowers ( Cheiranthus ). They will grow in some shade and do well against walls, fences and hedgerows. Climbing roses will only need a few hooks screwed into the fence, and they will happily cover your fence in blooms. Both these flowers are colourful, smell beautiful and are velvet to the touch.
Many herbs will grow in pots. Grow chives for something to nibble as you wander round the garden. Mint varieties are many , from spearmint through to the newer varieties such as pineapple or melon mint . Try them! They really do smell of pineapple and melon.
Some herbs are perennial and, once established, will need very little care. But remember to pick them to encourage growth.
The acoustics in your outside space will change dramatically when you have flowers growing. Those bees and bugs won't be able to resist.
Rub the leaves of your mint plants or other herbs and fill the air with the scent.
Now relax in a chair, listen to the humming of the insects and nibble on your chives. Within ten minutes you'll either be dozing and gaining some well needed rest, or you'll be running back to your keyboard with more words in your head than ever before!
About The Author
Linda Gray is a freelance writer and, with her partner, has spent ten years renovating an acre of neglected woodland. Drop in at http://www.flower-and-garden-tips.com for pots of gardening inspiration!
eco-friendly cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..Most of us hate housework.Nevertheless, even the most hopeless slobs... Read More
1. No one else will do it for you.2. No... Read More
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by marketing. First, there's so... Read More
Every writer eventually develops her own unique style of writing.... Read More
Our Image-Driven SocietyWe live in a new image-driven society. It... Read More
If you're a writer, you're in business. It doesn't matter... Read More
DEFINITIONSRetail margin is basically the difference between your book's wholesale... Read More
Q. My writing sounds stiff and stilted. Help!A. Memories of... Read More
Far too many inexperienced writers create flat, stereotypical characters: the... Read More
So, the decision is final. I am a writer.Actually, I... Read More
Compiling a list of the history's ten best writers is... Read More
A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance... Read More
We all need a cheer squad.We all need people to... Read More
Rudolf Flesch, a specialist in writing skills, ran classes... Read More
While novels do not usually attempt to convey concepts about... Read More
More and more good authors are turning to the Internet... Read More
We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More
So you've decided to crown yourself with a title that... Read More
If your dream is to get published, the chance is... Read More
1. Turning your idea into a bookWith non-fiction books the... Read More
When I was young, I used to talk to myself.... Read More
Hands up all those who'd like to have a successful... Read More
Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals... Read More
One Saturday afternoon, I sat in a packed conference room... Read More
Listen, consider this scenario.You have a deadline to honour. Time... Read More
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..1 - Join a reading or writing group. Ask members... Read More
Authors need to write their book according to their target... Read More
Writers often get stuck because they make assumptions about writing,... Read More
Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
Op-ed articles, also known as opinion/editorial articles, are a great... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips:Your title is your selling tool. It's... Read More
Today I took the dog for a walk and realized... Read More
1) Convince yourself you want to do something else. If... Read More
Making Money from Freelance WritingIt's the question that every aspiring... Read More
Although he has his own website, John Grisham probably does... Read More
If you haven't realized the success you wanted last year,... Read More
My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More
One of the biggest problems that inexperienced writers have is... Read More
EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More
People familiar with the Myers-Briggs Personality test know that the... Read More
If you dread the thought of writing, if you fear... Read More
9 out of 10 professionals and small business owners have... Read More
May I tell you about a writing technique shared by... Read More
Recently, I was hunting for a book that would simply... Read More
Verb and SubjectIncorrect:"I bet you two had a fine time,"... Read More
The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More
There's nothing that kills a scene like hackneyed dialogue. Just... Read More
Technology vendors often contribute bylined articles to trade journals. The... Read More
I'm a writing fool! 2 book proposals, 1 user's guide,... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel and bookpleasures is honored... Read More
Writing |