Alexandra Isobel's Blog, page 8
October 23, 2016
A Random Day in October
Gourds from a local market – Herbs I’ll try to grow in winter – Lanterns and citronella candles – My Starbucks iced tea lemonade with passion tea.
Fall is my time of year because it ushers in some of my favourite comfort foods . . .
Pumpkin spice and rich dark ales.
Hot chili and thick stews.
Homemade pizza and apple tarts
And mmmm . . . Spanish and Irish coffee.
Let the cool weather begin.
Happy Fall!
Filed under: creative spaces and writing inspiration Tagged: #creativespaces, creativeprovocation, fall, food, inspiration
October 19, 2016
THE DREADED NaNoWriMo WRITE IN
For introverted writers, the idea of participating in a write-in is both intriguing and terrifying.
Getting out into the community with other writers, to write alone but surrounded by people? Intriguing.
Getting out in the community with other writers, to write alone but surrounded by people? Terrifying.
The conflict is real!
However there are some things that an introvert can do to be in the know, and take comfort in before setting out for their first write in.
KNOW WHO TO KNOW – who is your local contact person? Read their bio on the NaNo site and introduce yourself online. They will probably be at the write in so you can look for a familiar face when you get there.
KNOW WHAT TIME IT STARTS AND ENDS – so you can talk yourself into going even for a short while. Knowing it isn’t forever and when you can escape helps.
KNOW SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS GOING – so you can look for them and have someone to sit with.
KNOW WHERE IT IS – map it out ahead of time so you don’t get lost and God forbid have to walk in there late.
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT – is it a straight write in where you just grab a coffee, a spot and write, or will there be discussion where you might have to ‘do something’? Remove the ‘unknown what if’ factor and you’ll be way more comfortable going.
This will be my third year participating in NaNoWriMo and hopefully my first attending a write in. Un
fortunately, I let all the above mention things stop me from going in past years. This year I plan to be in the know and get out there and attend. Wish me luck! Fingers crossed that NaNoWriMo2016 will be my year.
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Filed under: creative spaces and writing inspiration, introverts Tagged: herebeintroverts, NaNoWriMo2016, writing
October 16, 2016
What is a Creative Provocation ?
WHAT IS A CREATIVE PROVOCATION?
In it’s purest form, provocations provoke: thoughts, ideas, interests, and inspire the imagination toward creativity. Provocations can come in a variety of ways, but should make you think, want to act or create.
A few lines to work from – when you finish writing for the
day, start the next chapter or scene – just a few lines so you have somewhere to start from (not a blank page) the next day.
CREATIVE PROV
OCATIONS ARE SIMPLE
• Photos or artwork
• Movies or books
• Journals with pens
• Natural things – colourful rocks, a perfect stick, unused birds nest
• Collection of desk gadgets
• Picture magazines
• A scene out the window
CREATIVE PROVOCATION SCENES and TRAYS
A collection of things your like, treasure and inspire you to create.
Display provocations in a beautiful way so they stimulate your interest and spark your imagination to wonder or write.
If you want to stimulate your creativity and get your head into your creative space, make yourself a CREATIVE PROVOCATION SPACE so you can draw from its energy to capture and tame your elusive muse.
What is your creative provocation? What things inspires you to create? Do you display them in your creative space?
Filed under: provocations Tagged: #creative, creativeprovocation, writing inspiration
October 10, 2016
MONDAY FLASH FICTION October 10
All I have to do is close my eyes . . . and she’s right there.
Filed under: creative spaces and writing inspiration Tagged: Monday flash fiction
October 8, 2016
5 Ways to be an Energy Efficient Introvert
Introverts get their energy internally – alone and from within, as opposed to extroverts who get it from being with people. But everyone is different, so it’s important to know yourself, where your energy comes from, and when you have it the most so you can use it efficiently.
Most people can only be creative for a few hours a day – use that time wisely.
Know which things take the most of your energy?
Know when you are the most productive?
Know when will you need downtime to rest, rejuvenate and recharge?
Know where your energy comes from, how you use it, and when you need to recharge it.
Don’t be afraid to stake out, prowl around and guard your “ME” time. Introverts need it – most people like it, but introverts need it.
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Filed under: introverts Tagged: herebeintroverts, inspiration, introverts
September 29, 2016
AN INTROVERT’S ENERGY
WHERE does your creative energy come from? Inside or out? Do you recharge when you’re alone or surrounded by people?
Introverts get their creative energy internally, when they are alone and have time and space to think.
It is important, introvert to use your creative energy with knowledge and strength.
If you are more productive in the morning – schedule yourself for morning stuff, then recharge in the afternoon.
It is important to take time for yourself every day to avoid burn out.
An introvert hangover is a very real thing.
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Filed under: introverts, twitter blather Tagged: herebeintroverts, inspiration, introverts, twitter blather
September 24, 2016
SATURDAY MORNING WRITING RITUAL
Don’t we all have some kind of writing ritual we need to get started? For me it starts with a trip to the drive thru. Hello McDonalds Cafe.
Then off to the College Student Commons Building. It’s too early for most students so the building tends to be pretty empty. And maybe another coffee. Well Starbucks is right there at the entrance!?
Elevator to the second floor work areas. I’ve stared at this sign so many times I named my last hero Thyseen! The friggen name grew on me.
The work areas a blessedly empty enough to settle down and concentrate. I need quiet to get any kind of serious writing done.
Mind you I end up staring out the window for the first half hour drinking my coffees (plural).
Happy Saturday Peeps!
My next hot alpha hero is coming up . . . .
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Filed under: introverts, twitter blather Tagged: #creative, herebeintroverts, introverts, twitter balther, writing
September 20, 2016
Retired Ladies Live Their Dreamlife in a Cosy Forest House
Have you wondered how you’ll spend your retired days? I’ll give you an idea. A genius Japanese architect created an unique home for 2 retired ladies with their caretaker and a cook.
Source: Retired Ladies Live Their Dreamlife in a Cosy Forest House
Filed under: creative spaces and writing inspiration
September 14, 2016
Creative Provocations are Simple
CREATIVE PROVOCATIONS ARE SIMPLE :
Photos or art work
Movies or books
Journals with pens
Natural things – colourfuls rocks, a perfect stick, unused birds nest
Collection of desk gadgets
Picture magazines and book collections
A scene out the window
What gets you thinking about being creative?
Filed under: provocations Tagged: #creativeprocess, creativeprovocation, provocations, writing inspiration
WHAT IS A CREATIVE PROVOCATION?
In it’s purest form, provocations provoke: thoughts, ideas, interests, and inspire the imagination toward creativity. Provocations can come in a variety of ways, but should make you think, want to act or interact and connect.
Creative provocations are things, or a collection of things that inspire you to create by sparking your imagination and leading you to muse.
CREATIVE PROVOCATIONS CAN BE SIMPLE :
Photos or art work
Movies or books
Journals with pens
Natural things – colourfuls rocks, a perfect stick, unused birds nest
Collection of desk gadgets
Picture magazines
A scene out the window
Make yourself a creative provocation tray – a collection of things your like, treasure and inspire you to create.
Display provocations in a beautiful way, so they stimulate your interest and spark your imagination to wonder.
In child care we set up provocations for play – set out toys and materials for children to come upon and start asking questions and spark their desire to play.
If you want to stimulate your creativity and get your head into your creative space, make yourself a creative provocation collection so you can draw from its energy to capture and tame your elusive muse.
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Filed under: creative spaces and writing inspiration, twitter blather Tagged: #creativeprocess, twitter blather, writing inspiration
