Creative Writing - Word Salad

Whilst looking for writing jobs, I found a lot of notes for 'Word Salad'.
I checked out the job and found it to be a lot of fun constructing sentences and a storyline.
See, Word Salad requests poetry, short stories, novels etc. but you have to include a list of certain words.
This is an amazing writing exercise and I want to take this on as a regular writing exercise before I start work. You can be given three words, and you've got the freedom to make it any genre you want.

For my first practice, I was given: Hollywood, Bowling ball, and Reputation.

I wrote a little idea about a fictional person moving to Hollywood to make a life for herself as an actor, but due to poor choices and relationships, her reputation was twisted and run into the ground by the people she trusted the most. It ended with her throwing a bowling ball through her agent's window after a break down.
It's nothing special, but it definitely sharpens your ideas and was a brilliant writing exercise.
You can use a word generator to make your own Word Salad!

Writing Challenges Review

Of course I haven't completed them!

I discovered I can be one of those people who make a start, then put a pin in it. My brain looks like a pin cushion. I've made a start, though, and that's all that matters.
I did not get to film any of my sketches or comedy ideas, but this year my highlight was that I did speak to one of my new favourite comedy writers - he was very polite and even used a phrase I'd coined on his social media - which was unexpected but it made me feel like I'm going in the right direction!
Obviously, I'm not going to mention names, this is something I don't need to shout from the rooftops, but it's still a massive accomplishment!

I've put an effort towards things I wouldn't usually write and it made me feel amazing for exercising my creative writing skills.
Although, I did complete a few tasks on my list, I'm not upset that I didn't finish it - incomplete lists usually destroy me from the inside out - but this time, I've accepted some pieces of work can't have a deadline.
I love deadlines, but having unfinished work I'm happy with means I get to come back and improve it whenever I like - so the fun never stops.

I'll probably set a smaller list for 2019. I will get more work published. I will make more of an effort to write new media. I will always be proud of my work. I can do this - and so can you!

Have a happy new year, everyone!
See you in '19!

Blogging Motivation?

Ironic that this is written as a blog post, yeah?

It's hard to keep content fresh and free from clickbait, especially if you've hit a brick wall creatively. I check my blog several times a day, to keep an eye on which posts are performing best, where in the world the blog has been viewed, and to update drafted posts.

A sentence a day keeps writer's block away.. Probably. - Beffy Parkin.

I have had a long gap between posts in the past, due to not having time - luckily, I force myself to write up a quick draft, or save a note, just to keep the blog active. Even if it's just a sentence, or a title that later never makes sense - writing nearly every day will keep you interested in creative writing. That's all that matters. Creative writing can drain you from time to time, and blogging is a very relaxed form of writing.

You can even use posts as little rants, or notes of annoyances, and it may come back to fuel ideas and content for future stories. Write little and often - then fully when you have time or feel like you've created enough interesting content to share with the world. Have a thousand drafts if you have to, write for yourself first and foremost.

Happy drafting!

Too Many Hashtags

I'm having a mini crisis with self promotion.
I'm in no fit financial state to plug my books left, right and centre, and throw money at advertising. Self promotion is hard, you feel like everyone is sick of the sight of your posts, that you're annoying anyone who sees it, and that it doesn't have the desired impact as you'd hope.

I've noticed this mostly through Instagram and Twitter. I don't have an official writers Instagram account, so I use my personal to attempt to post updates of my work. I do have a CC Twitter account, but I'm having no luck with it.
I am aware I use far too many hashtags - but what choice do I have? I would love it if news about my books could reach thousands of people with little to no effort, but that's not in my grasp.

If I receive news about my writing, I am delighted and want to post about it anywhere and everywhere - because I am proud of my hard work! Does this come off as arrogant? Annoying?

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a pity party -- I'm just finding it difficult as an indie author who doesn't have financial backing. You have to do whatever you can.
If you do follow me on social media, and I have done your head in with constantly getting excited over my books and writing, then I can only apologise. I do get excited about my work, and I'd like to share the good news from time to time.

I will continue to self loathe whenever I feel I am over posting, but I will also feel immensely excited about the content. I over post because I'm overly excited!

Mini rant over.

Don't Stop Writing!

I feel like I need to promote creative writing, I work with little ones, so it's good to be able to get creative and push yourself when doing something you enjoy.

If you don't have a favourite book, write it yourself!
If you don't have a favourite author, be your favourite author!
                     
 - Beffy Parkin.

Don't stop getting creative when writing, stories can come out of nowhere and knock you sideways. Inspire yourself, Surprise yourself! You can do it!

Sometimes you'll get stuck in a rut, and it will bother you beyond belief. When I have trouble when writing poetry, I'll write a short story, if this is a non-starter, I'll write ideas for children's stories. Keep it up, something will stick and it will be amazing!

2018 Writing Challenges

I'm setting myself aims for next year. I am going to set deadlines and targets, and will hopefully share all of my work with you. -- If you would like to send me feedback, please do! I am constantly looking for writing challenges, and making notes of my ideas. I will be writing a whole lot more as of 2018!

My challenges are:

Write a play.

Turn 'For The Best' into a screenplay.

Write content for a #Vanlife magazine/website.

Write up that Sci-Fi idea. (It sounded great in my head, but I fear there's loopholes.)

Write more stand up comedy sets.

Create a comic book (I had an idea for a superhero, I just want to see where it will go.)

Write TWO more children's books. (Not for Charlie Cheese.)

Have poetry featured somewhere. (GET IN TOUCH IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CAN HELP ME WITH, PLEASE.) COMPLETED.


Write up short stories / film them -- depending on funds.

..Obviously, if I get any writing work or any ideas then I'll work on them alongside my plans.
See you all in the new year!

That's One Way To Fix Writer's Block...

I go through waves of creativity. I can spend weeks at a time working on ideas, writing poetry, or trying create characters. But then again, I'll happily sit and waste my time feeling like my brain is melting.
Inspiration can come from anywhere. I was ready to get in the bath when I came up with Charlie Cheese - not sure why, I'd not eaten any cheese, nor spent any time with a mustached fella. Out of nowhere.
For my poetry, I'll see what's annoying me in the news or have a political debate with my husband. Easy.

When you have writer's block, you're stuck. It's the brain's Error 404. There seems to be nothing, no matter what you do.

I recently went through a patch of trying to invent something. - Just to keep my brain busy.
What I seemed to come up with was the equivalent of slapping glitter and stickers on something that already exists. It was frustrating. I needed someone who wasn't writing, who didn't have writer's block...
My father is one of the most creative people I know, I don't understand how his brain works. He can find humour in any situation and his ideas often take a bizarre turn. So, I asked him what he would invent for the kitchen.
(Pretty boring, but it's an open question - an opportunity to see where this would go)
He replied, without hesitating, "A WALL OF JAM." - because- "You can just throw your toast at it on a morning, then your breakfast is ready."

See, I wasn't expecting this at all. It made me really think about it, you then come up with ideas on the same level, something equally impossible - and there you go, out of the slump.
It's like someone's answer gives your brain the spin-off episode.
I spent the rest of the afternoon working on my writing - not about jam walls, but it got me focused again.

I suggest asking people interesting, open-ended questions and bounce off their answers.

(Do not take their ideas, it's an exercise to get you back on track and get rid of writer's block).