Creativity's Workshop

Taming and Training Your Creativity to Write Abundantly

Category Archives: You Too?


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You Too? Do You Daydream?

A woman looking into the distance, daydreaming about what she is going to write.

Image Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Welcome to another You Too? post, where each month we discuss a writing-related question. I particularly want to know your thoughts on the subject, so please weigh in by leaving a comment below.

This week I’m talking about daydreaming.

To start with, let’s define daydreaming. For the purposes of this post, we’re referring to that situation where your mind is wandering from the present, flitting off to greener imaginary pastures where idea fodder flows freely and stories materialize before your eyes. It may happen while sitting at your desk, commuting to work, sitting in a waiting room, having a shower, or washing the dishes.

Sound familiar?

Just about everyone daydreams from time to time. But as writers, daydreams may be more use than just a distraction from the present.

A ‘daydream’ could be an opportunity to flesh out a storyline, learn more about our characters, or play out scenarios in our head. What might be considered unexceptionable behavior in some circumstances (like the classroom) may be considered essential practice in others (like at your writing desk).

With that in mind, I’d love to know your thoughts on the following questions. You don’t have to answer them all. Just pick a couple that appeal to you and add your comment to the discussion below.

  • Do you daydream?
  • Do you call it ‘daydreaming’ or do you prefer to use another term?
  • Where/when do you daydream?
  • Do you feel it helps your writing?
  • Do you have any daydreaming tips or tricks?

I look forward to reading your thoughts!

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You Too? Where Do You Get Your Best Ideas?

A woman happily walking outdoors.

Do you get your best writing ideas while out walking?
(Image Credit: Microsoft Clip Art)

Welcome to another installment of ‘You Too?’ where I ask you a writing related question and you share insights about your writing life.

Today, I thought we’d do a poll!

I’m sure all of us get ideas when we least expect them. This is because most ideas come to us when we’re relaxed, while our mind is concentrating on something other than our writing problems. 

So I’m interested to know where you get your best ideas. I’ve added some of the classic places to this poll, but if you have a different place then let me know and I’ll add the option. Feel free to select multiple options if they apply.

The next question is, how do you record those ideas?

Again, I’ve listed some of the common options, but I’m sure there are plenty more I haven’t thought of so tell me what I’ve missed in the comments. Feel free to select multiple options if they apply.

I look forward to seeing the results!


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You Too? What’s Your Writing Routine? (And a Giveaway!)

A woman writing in her diary.

Do you make an appointment with your writing? (Image Credit: Microsoft Clip Art)

It’s time for another ‘You Too?’ post, where I ask you a writing-related question and you share your thoughts.

Today’s post is about your writing routine.

There are so many suggestions out there about writing routines. Some people say get up early and write before your household wakes up. Others say ditch the evening television program and write instead. Some say you should write every day. Other say you should only write when you feel like it.

In my experience, each writer is different. There is no one-size-fits-all writing routine. There’s the routine that works for you on this project.

With that in mind, I’m really curious to find out about your personal writing routine.

So here are the questions:

  • When is your best writing time? Early morning? Late at night?
  • Do you write every day? Every second day? Just when the mood takes you?
  • Do you aim for a word count? Do you set a time limit?
  • Do you find your routine changes depending on what writing project you’re working on?

Please feel free to add any details about your writing routine in the comments. If you’ve got any tips on how you’ve sneaked extra writing time into your day, or found ways to improve the quality of your writing routine, we’re all ears!

This post is yours to take in whatever direction you feel like. Let’s start discussing!

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Baverstock's Allsorts Cover Art

P.S. I’m almost ready to release Baverstock’s Allsorts Volume 1: A Collection of Short Stories. This week I’m giving away free copies of the e-book in exchange for honest reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. If you’re interested in getting a copy, e-mail me at jessica AT creativitysworkshop DOT com or leave a comment below and I’ll follow up with an e-mail.


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You Too? How Do You Describe Your Writing?

A dictionary opened to the word 'invest.'

Image Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Welcome to our second post in the ‘You Too?’ series, where I pose a writing related question and leave it to you to answer it. Last month we were talking about non-writing days. This month I want to ask you something even more personal.

I’m currently working with an editor on my collection of short, short stories called Baverstock’s Allsorts. (Keep your ears pricked, there will be more news about that soon!) The other day I noticed something in one of his e-mails.

He referred to the edited manuscript as a ‘battlefield.’

While I’d be the first to admit that some valiant little words have lost their lives in the process of a good edit, I realised that for me the word ‘battlefield’ seemed like an unusual word to use.

The more I thought about it, the more I discovered the words to describe how I felt about the manuscript.

To me, the edit was more like a good ‘exfoliation.’ I loved the process of removing words and reworking sentences until every single line read smoothly. It was ‘invigorating’ and ‘enjoyable’ to make these changes.

So it got me thinking about the words we use to describe our writing.

Do you find yourself using combative expressions when approaching the page? Do you ‘tackle’ a rewrite? ‘Slash’ words while editing?

Or do you find yourself using nurturing words like ‘coaxing’ characters into life and ‘unearthing’ plot points?

Do you think of yourself ‘spending’ time writing or ‘investing’ time writing?

I’m interested to hear your thoughts on the subject!

How do you describe your writing? What effect do those words have on the way you experience your writing?


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You Too? What Do You Do on Non-Writing Days?

A writer taking a break from writing

Image Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Today I’m starting a new series of blog posts, tentatively titled ‘You Too?’ In these posts I’ll pose a question that relates to a common writing problem and leave it to you, the reader, to answer it.

The aim is to get us all talking about how we each overcome the difficulties of a creative writing life. It’s a time to share our tips on how we keep ourselves creatively active.

Today’s question is: What Do You Do on Non-Writing Days?

While a regular writing routine is very important and writing every day is ideal, we all face days when we don’t want to write.

For whatever reason there’s something holding us back. Perhaps it’s fatigue. Perhaps it’s a particularly stressful day.

So the question is, what do you do on those days?

  • Do you throw your hands up in the air, figuring this just isn’t your day and you’ll try again tomorrow?
  • Do you push yourself through, trying to write at least a few words to keep up your rhythm?
  • Do you replace your writing time with a different creative activity? (E.g. painting, drawing, origami?)
  • Do you grab a book and spend your time reading instead?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What do you do?