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Creative Outlets for Writers

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*This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission from purchases you make by following affiliate links. I only recommend products that I trust. Money earned keeps this blog running and helps me stay home with my little one. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

I just LOVE being creative! I love to create. The idea that I can bring something into existence that wasn’t there before fascinates me.

Writing is my main creative outlet, but I need other ways to express my creativity. Or sometimes I need other creative outlets as a warm-up to spark creativity in my writing. The more ways I have to be creative, the happier I am. Do you feel the same way?

If writing isn’t enough to satiate your need to be creative, or if you need creative outlets to prepare you to write, these may come in handy.

Creative Outlets for Writers

Photography

Grab a camera or use your phone and take some pictures! Photography can be a great way to stay creative when not writing. You can experiment with lighting and angle. You can experiment with focus and blur. Take pictures inside or out. What I love most about photography is that a picture you take can be a great source of inspiration for a poem, scene, or a story. You could even take pictures that help you visualize your current writing project.

Magnetic Poetry Kit

magnetic poetry www.thewritingpal.com

I’ve had these for a while, and I absolutely love them.  They have an original kit that comes with over 300 words. They also have supplemental kits that come with over 200 words. I have the Happiness kit, but there are tons of different options.With additional kits sold in themes like Cowboy, Garden, Haiku, The Mountains, and Unicorn Lover—just to name a few—what’s not to love? I will definitely be buying more. Either the original or the Sloth Lover. Haven’t quite decide yet. 😉 Having my magnets visible in my writing space and creating sentences fills me with inspiration. They are great when I need a break from writing but still want to be creative with words. They are seriously addicting! They are also a great way to encourage kids to be creative with words.

The magnets are good quality. I like their size and durability. They did get my fingers black when I broke them apart, but it immediately came off when I washed my hands. When breaking the sheets I worried they’d bend permanently since they are not large magnets. But as long as I bent where they tore before actually tearing them, they were fine. The magnets are nice and sturdy. They are easy to take off my whiteboard, but don’t feel like they’re going to fall off on their own.

Exercise

Whether it’s some relaxing yoga, a quick walk, or training for a marathon, exercise is one of the best things a writer can do. Exercise is a great way to de-stress and regain focus. It can be a great way to unwind after a stressful writing session. Or it can be a useful part of your morning routine to help you prepare for a successful writing session. You can exercise for as long as you want, but even a 15-minute walk on a regular basis can be of great benefit. Exercising outside can be great for the writer’s brain because it gives you a chance to observe more of the world you live in!

 

Adult Coloring Books

Adult Coloring Book www.thewritigpal.com

There are so many adult coloring books that can be a great way to keep the right brain active if you need to get those creative juices flowing. Some are full of intricate patterns and designs to color. Others actually use mostly pictures (but also words) to tell a story. If you like the coloring books where each page is a different pattern, there are tons of options. If you want to color something more than kaleidoscope-like patterns, The Time Garden is a good choice.

I have The Time Garden and love the beautiful illustrations. Many coloring books are printed on thin paper that isn’t poor quality, but isn’t the best either. Since The Time Garden is a story and a coloring book it does a good job resembling both. There are just enough words to set up and end the story without interrupting the elegant coloring pages. Mine came with a dust jacket, and the paper quality is perfect for coloring. The paper is also thick and sturdy like that of a published book. The quality of this coloring book is better than most coloring books.

Meditation

Start a writing session or end a long day with a bit of meditation. You can meditate for a minute, 5 minutes, or 30 minutes. Meditation is a great way to clear the mind and take care of yourself. Meditation can be a simple breathing exercise or a more engaging activity to reflect and ponder. It can be something that you guide yourself through, or you can find apps that will guide you through some meditation. Headspace is a great meditation app that guides you through different meditations. There is a free 10 day trial and then you pay a monthly subscription.

When you are not writing, how do you stay creative?

 

 

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Top Resources for NaNoWriMo Preparation

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*This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission from purchases you make by following affiliate links. I only recommend products that I trust. Money earned keeps this blog running and helps me stay home with my little one. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

NaNoWriMo is not for everyone. And that is okay! However, if you want to give it a try, or you’ve been successful in the past and are eager to give it another go, you need to be prepared.

Success is unlikely, if not impossible, without a good plan. To help you plan and prepare for a Nano win, I wanted to share some of the top resources for NaNoWriMo I’ve used.

If you are not participating in NaNo, these resources can still be useful in your day to day writing routine.

Top Resources for NaNoWriMo Preparation

Top Resources for NaNoWriMo Preparation

StoryNotes

This Writer’s Notebook with movable pages and templates covering a wide range of writer topics such as plot, character development, setting, good words, novel titles, etc. This can be very helpful as you outline and plan during NaNoWriMo. Keep all your thoughts and notes organized so you can focus on churning those words out!

WriteMind Planner

This is a planner for writers, and it is amazing! It’s great to plan important elements of your story and included calendars help you keep track of your word count. Tracking your word count will come in handy during NaNoWriMo, and you can keep track of important story details. The Write Mind Planner uses the same technology as StoryNotes, so if you order the planner, you could also get StoryNotes add-ons.

The Novel Planner

This is a great planner because it enables you to keep your normal life and your writing life in harmony. It includes project outlines with space to record basic outlines, themes, characters, and setting. It also has character pages where you can develop your characters in more detail. Perhaps the most useful page for NaNoWriMo is the project goals page. You can record deadlines and rewards, both of which can be super helpful when preparing for NaNoWriMo

*Check out more detail on these awesome planners.

Write Now Podcast Episode #48

While I recommend absolutely every episode of this podcast, this one is perfect for NaNoWriMo. She gives 30 tips, one for each day of NaNo. Such a motivational, and encouraging podcast. A great listen to prepare for NaNo, and to keep going any time during the month.

Scrivener

If you already use Scrivener, you know what a great resource it is for writing. It can be extra helpful during NaNoWriMo if you want to organize your outline and make sure you have enough to write each day. NaNo is a lot of writing, so you want to have the software that will help you the most. For many writers, that means Scrivener. If you are unfamiliar with Scrivener, you can learn more in my Scrivener Series.

A Schedule

With the craze of NaNoWriMo, you absolutely have to plan your writing time. Whether you plan when you will write for the whole month, or a week at a time, or a day at a time, it is crucial to take a moment and figure out when you will set aside that writing time. 50,000 words in a month works out to about 1,667 words a day. So be prepared to set aside enough time to write. If you know you have a few days that are busier, or a few days that are less packed, plan accordingly. Maybe you will write 3,000 words some days and 1,000 other days. But it is good to have a schedule for when you will write, and a basic understanding of how you will pace your word count.

Tips for When You Don’t Want to Write

There will come days when you may not want to write. Without a plan for those days, you may stop writing or take a few days off. But if you know those days will come, and you know what to do when they hit, you will be much more likely to find success. So, as NaNo approaches, create a written list of what you can do to keep yourself motivated when you feel like you don’t want to write. Check out my favorite ideas if you need a little inspiration.

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20 Quirky Office Supplies Every Writer Needs

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*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure page. All money earned keeps this blog running and keeps me at home with my little one.

I’m thinking of adding a new category to my budget solely for office supplies. Sticky notes, pens, and pencils. Notebooks. I’m always buying office supplies. I was looking at office supplies on Amazon, and it is full of some seriously good stuff. Some of it is oh so cute too!

So, I’ve compiled a list of 20 quirky office supplies perfect for writers. Or anyone who spends time at a desk, really.

And the best part is, everything is $20 or less.

20 Quirky Office Supplies Every Writer Needs

Office Supplies Every Writer Needs www.thewritingpal.com

Sticky Notes

1. Tabbed Sticky Notes: $2.97

These have really good reviews and I decided to buy a pack! They are so cute and come in a handy little booklet.

2. Fruit Sticky Notes: $1.99

If I had a real apple on my desk, it would rot. 😉 But with these sticky notes, I could look healthy and have cute sticky notes to keep me organized. Also available as a pear.

3. Red Toaster: $12.37

Not only does this toaster hold sticky notes shaped like bread, it also has a magnet for paper clips, a pencil sharpener, and it can act as a phone dock. The toaster slots hold any standard size sticky notes. This one is on my list too!

4. Toast Sticky Notes: $12.98

You can buy these without owning the toaster, but if you don’t want to replace the toaster sticky notes with regular sticky notes, these are for you.

Tape Dispensers

5. Dog Tape Dispenser: $15.30

Fan of man’s best friend? This adorable pooch tape dispenser is perfect!

6. Cat Tape Dispenser: $8.49

If your a fan of the felines, there’s a kitty tape dispenser too. Almost looks like a cat playing with a ball of yarn.

7. Bike Tape Dispenser: $10.03

This bike tape dispenser is so charming, and I love its antique style. For $10 its’ a steal of a deal.

 

8. Butt Station Tape Dispenser: $10.67

Tape dispenser, sticky note holder, and pen holder all in one. This is a fun and humorous way to stay organized.

Paper Clip Holders

9. Sink Paper Clip Holder: $3.49

I don’t use too many paper clips, but if you do this is such a fun way to store them.

10. Einstein Magnet: $12.40

Some reviewers said they couldn’t stick as many paper clips as pictured on their Einstein head, but even with a few this seems like a fun and quirky way to display your paper clips.

Supply Organizers

11. Desk Organizer: $12.99

This is a great way to organize all of your office supplies. It’s a clean design and not too big at 8 in x 4.7 in x 4 in.

12. Water Bucket Organizer: $8.20

Cute and original way to hold scissors, pens, pencils, highlighters and other office supplies.

13. Hand Shaped Organizer: $17.95

I love the shape of this organizer. It also doubles as a magnet for paper clips.

14. Wood Organizer with Calendar: $20.67

I love the beautiful wood of this organizer. And with the built in calendar, it’s a great way to save space. I love things that serve more than one purpose.

Desk Calendars

15 Wood Calendar: $16.49

I love the color and shine of this calendar. I also like that it includes the day of the week.

16. Wood Calendar and Organizer: $14.99

This calendar could also be in the organizer section because it has plenty of space for sticky notes, writing utensils, and other office supplies.

17. Wood Block Calendar: $10.99

I love the individual blocks and the beautiful wood of this calendar.

18. Bird Calendar: $22.48

Slightly over $20, but what a cute bird! Also comes in a Rooster style.

 

 19. Foot Hammock $17.97

 

I own this and LOVE it. I’m always using chairs and boxes as a foot rest, so this hammock is super nice. It’s comfortable, and although it is a small comfort, it makes my space all the more enjoyable.

20. Lap Desk $19.99

I just bought this, and it’s a simple lap desk, but it gets the job done. Sometimes I find myself writing while sitting on the couch, or in some location where I have to put my laptop on my lap. I don’t like this because the heat and pressure can tire and irritate my legs. If you prefer a desk, but sometimes write on-the-go, this might be a good option for you.

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Confessions of a Realistic Writer: What I’m Reading

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*This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I know and trust. For more information see my disclosure page.

As a writer, I often expect myself to be an avid reader too. I need to always have a book or two that I’m currently reading. If I want to call myself a writer, I need to read what I write. And I need to read about the craft of writing.

For the longest time I felt guilty calling myself a writer because I have never read Stephen King’s On Writing. But that’s not realistic. Although a majority of writers likely have read that book, I’m no less of a writer just because I haven’t.

So today, I’m going to share with you the books I have read, the one’s I’m currently reading, and the books I’m planning to read.

Confessions of a Realistic Writer: What I’m Reading

What I'm Reading www.thewritingpal.com

Book I’ve Read

I honestly haven’t read very many. I’ve studied dictionaries, style guides like Chicago, and usage dictionaries more than I’ve read books about the craft of writing. But I have read a few and they’ve been very helpful.

How Writers Work

This was the first book I read about writing. And it inspired my first ever work in progress! This is a great book for kids interested in writing. The author has several books about writing too!

Bird by Bird

My absolute favorite is Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. I read this in college and just fell in LOVE with it. She swears a decent amount, but she makes you think about why you want to be a writer and she has so many tips and strategies. She makes writing feel doable. So, if you are struggling to feel like you can be a writer, Bird by Bird can get you through some of those dark days.

Ron Carlson Writes a Story

This is a great book if you are interested in step by step help. Ron Carlson shares segments of a short story he wrote and breaks down what he did and why. He shows start to finish the creation of a story. Ron also offers little nuggets of wisdom such as the importance of torturing your character. He also suggests not leaving your computer until you’ve written what you’ve come to write! Great advice and great help in this book!

Books I’m Currently Reading

Wired for Story

I absolutely LOVE this book! I’m not too far into it, but that’s because it is so full of useful information. I feel like I need to take notes on everything and pause to let the information digest. So, it is certainly not a quick read. But it’s still one of the most useful books about writing I’ve come across. Time and time again, I read part of this book and think, “Yes, that’s exactly what my story needs.”

I am learning so much from Wired for Story. I definitely recommend this book.

diy MFA

I started reading this book, but had to stop. Not because it wasn’t good, but I just didn’t have the time for it. It’s not a book you can just read. It really is like getting your MFA. The author Gabriela has tons of activities and resources for you to do and use throughout the book. So, if you are thinking about going back to school, this might be a good place to start. Or if you have the time to invest in a book like this, this is the one for you. I’ll get around to it someday. I loved what I read, I just don’t feel like I’m in a place to dedicate as much time as this book requires to really get out of it what there is potential to get out of it.

Books on My TBR List

Stephen King On Writing

Just because I haven’t read it yet, doesn’t mean I don’t plan to. I own the book, so I’ll be reading it once I finish Wired for Story. There has to be a reason it’s one of the most popular books about writing. I intend to read it and see for myself why it is so great. But I am sure it won’t disappoint.

Story Genius

I loved Wired for Story so much, I didn’t think it was a gamble to buy Lisa Cron’s other book Story Genius. When I get the chance, I will be reading this one as well. I love the way these books explore the way the brain thinks as a foundation for knowing how to create an engaging story.

The Writer’s Crucible: Meditations on Emotion, Being, and Creativity

I listened to a podcast where this book was discussed and the author was interviewed. That was all I needed to hear to know I want this book. I’ve recently started doing a bit of meditation and I really like it. So, when I realized there was a book for writers about meditation I knew I had to read it. I haven’t bought it yet, but it is definitely on my radar. If you like meditation, this could be a great book for you too!

What books are you currently reading and what ones are you itching to read next?

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8 Podcasts Perfect to Help You Improve Your Writing

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Sometimes, I like absolute silence as I concentrate on a task. But more often than not I prefer to have something to listen to. Especially if I’m folding laundry or washing dishes. If I have something to listen to, it makes the task more enjoyable. Sometimes, I even find myself looking forward to it,  because I know it means I get to listen to something I enjoy.

Podcasts are the perfect thing. And today I’m going to share with you 7 podcasts that I absolutely love.

8 Podcasts Perfect to Help You Improve Your Writing

8 Podcasts Perfect to Help You Improve Your Writing www.thewritingpal.com

The Creative Penn Podcast

Length: 60-75 minutes

Joanna Penn is a leading expert on all things self-publishing. She has been podcasting for over 10 years. Although some of Joanna’s information is beyond what I’m ready for, each episode of her podcast is chock-full of current information on self-publication and motivation for all writers.

She opens each podcast with an update on her writing and personal achievements. Then she talks about big news in indie publishing. Her information is always current, up to date, and often she has information about impending changes or advances to the industry.

The rest of the podcast is spent interviewing someone from the indie industry. Each podcast is informative, motivational, and well worth the time invested in listening.

The Copywriter Club Podcast

Length: 45-50 minutes

If you are a copywriter, this podcast could be your new best friend. Each week they interview a copywriter or online entrepreneur and discuss the ins and outs of how this person found success. The interviewee shares their journey to success and offers helpful tips and advice.

Even if you are not a copywriter, there is an applicable message for all writers in each episode. Making sure the style of your writing is appropriate for your audience, how to make your writing attract readers, etc. All writing shares common ground, and learning about any type of writing can help your own writing. Whether or not you are a copywriter, this podcast can be a good resource to help you learn more about writing and to help you improve your own writing.

Writers on Writing Podcast

Length: 50-55 minutes

This podcast originates as a radio segment. Authors are interviewed to talk about their novels or short stories. Literary agents or editors are interviewed to offer insight and advice.

Each podcast typically interviews two people. Sometimes they are interviewed simultaneously, but usually the podcast is broken into two separate halves. The podcast also has different hosts, but each is engaging and asks the interviewee insightful, informative questions.

As authors discuss their published works, listeners learn about the writing process, the ups and downs, and what may or may not work for them. During the discussion the interviewee offers advice and motivation.

Writing Excuses Podcast

Length: 15-20 minutes

The hosts of this podcast spend each episode discussing a relevant and exciting topic related to all things writing. One week might feature a discussion about subplot, or story length, or what an editor looks for.

Because there are several hosts, the podcast offers a wide range of experience and opinions on each given topic. Each host offers valuable information, and they often discuss different perspectives. Writing can be abstract with no right or wrong, so hearing each hosts perspective on the same topic is very insightful.

Each episode is short, which makes it perfect for a busy schedule. Although short, each podcast leaves the listener entertained, motivated, and well informed.

Write Now Podcast

Length: 25-35 minutes

Sarah Werner alternates between a podcast in which she interviews someone literary and a podcast where she discusses a topic or concern that may inhibit writers from writing. She is an energetic, motivating, and enthusiastic host. At the end of her podcast, you can’t help but want to go write.

When she interviews someone in the publishing industry, her questions are thought provoking and the conversation meaningful and informative. The interviewees share experiences and advice that is always beneficial to the listener.

When Sarah discusses a topic, she is casual and friendly but informative. She discusses topics from quitting your job to write full time, excuses verses reasons why you aren’t writing, positive self-talk, and even SEO. Her gentle but animated voice leaves you feeling like she really understands why writing is hard, and she wants to help you personally overcome what is keeping you back.

Well-Storied Podcast

Length: 10-15 minutes

Kristen Kieffer from Well-Storied turns her blog posts into audio for easy listening on-the-go. These quick podcasts are perfect for a busy schedule. Although short, they are informative and the information presented is easy to understand. Kristen is pleasant to listen to and her podcast is a great way to get information that will improve your writing.

She covers useful topics about the craft of writing, and gives lots of examples to support her information. Her writing tips are easy to apply and her podcast will definitely help you become a better writer!

What Should I Read Next

Length: 30-60 minutes

Episodes ranges in length, but each one is packed with book recommendations and wonderful discussion about how to find your next read. Anne Bogel interviews different people and helps them find books they will enjoy.

Sometimes she interviews people who don’t read very much. Other times she interviews librarians or avid readers. As she gets into why she recommends a book, it is a great way to decide if it’s a book you would also enjoy.

She asks her interviewees what they’ve read recently, a book they dislike, and a book they like. From this, she is able to recommend a few books to try next. It’s a great podcast to stay up to date on books and add a few to your list.

BONUS: Harry Potter and the Sacred Text Podcast

If you are a fan of Harry Potter (and odds are you are), then this is about to be your new favorite podcast. Each week the hosts discuss a chapter of Harry Potter under a different lens or theme. They might look at the chapter and focus on generosity, or jealousy, or family.

Each episode of the podcast offers insight to the chapter in regard to the chosen topic. It provides a new and deeper way of looking at Harry Potter. The hosts analyze the chapter and make stunning discoveries and connections.

Each episode also includes looking at a portion of the text with a sacred practice such as Lectio Divina or florilegia. Also, each episode features a voicemail from a listener that offers their own insight to a previous episode. Each episode concludes with the hosts blessing a character from the particular chapter that was discussed.

I listen to all my podcasts on Stitcher, but I know most (if not all) are also found on iTunes or Spotify. What podcasts do you enjoy listening too?

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