Category: The Writerly Cafe

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The Writerly Cafe

A Large Serving of Muse, Please

A HEARTYWELCOME-1

Here at the café, I’ve received several questions on what a writer’s muse is and where writers can find it. The questions have been heavy on my mind during these hot summer days when my muse seems to have abandoned me for a hammock somewhere in the shade.

So let’s begin with a simple definition for a writer’s muse:  It is a source of inspiration for a creative work.

Now for the fun part! Pull up a chair and let’s throw out ideas as to where we can find our muse. I’ll get us started. Please join in via the comment section.

Some ways I stir my muse:

  • I always have a small notebook with me in case inspirations strikes. I have been known to pull over in a parking lot after seeing something that I knew would make a great story or devotion.
  • One sentence from an article online can spark an idea for a totally different subject. An overheard conversation can lead to a short story plot.
  • I live in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains where every bend in the road offers inspiration for a writer. A writer friend of mine rents a cabin near me where she writes poetry.
  • I’ve found children and animals inspire me. One of my next projects will be a story inspired by a young girl and her gift to my daughter on her wedding day.
  • Music is high on the list as a muse. A few words from a song can inspire a story or even a melody, evoking emotions for the perfect story.
  • I am a people watcher and I often write stories in my head about a person that walks by, sits in a park, or stands outside a homeless shelter. A favorite piece I wrote was about a man I met in a thrift store whose wares funded food and shelter for people recovering from substance abuse.

Join me over at Cathy Baker’s site, Cultivating Creativity, to learn more ways I find my muse. (You will also learn about a hidden talent of mine!)

Thank you for sharing one way you find your writing muse in the comment section.

 

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The Writerly Cafe

What’s Your Favorite Summer Writing Place?

A HEARTYWELCOMEYesterday I decided to move to the back deck of our house to set up my “summer writing office”. I made several trips with computer, notebooks, pens and pencils, all balanced precariously in my arms. Of course I brought a tall glass of sweet tea and a small snack. Trust me, the snack idea lead to an unhappy writing event! Within fifteen minutes of getting organized I was fighting a small army of various bugs intent on having my fair skin as their snack.

After a quick move to the front porch I met the kith and kin of the back-deck killer bugs. I returned inside and called my neighbor who is blessed with a screened-in porch that overlooks a beautiful view of the Appalachian Mountains. I explained my dilemma and she graciously invited me to use her porch for my writing efforts. I gathered my writing paraphernalia and went to the neighbor’s house. An hour passed and I had not written a word, but had immensely enjoyed the nature I watched, and the conversation I had with my neighbor.

Feeling defeated I returned home and settled at my desk in front of an opened window that overlooks a peaceful pasture and delivers wonderful mountain breezes. Ah…this was the summer writing spot my soul needed. I wrote for two hours and feeling very proud of myself, I went to the back deck and announced my feat to the destroyer-bug population.

My question to you café members is…where do you prefer to write during the summer? D.H. Lawrence enjoyed writing beneath the shade of a tree. Jan Karon, author of the popular The Mitford series, writes in a cottage on the grounds of her plantation. Well known author Elin Hilderbrand rides her bike a mile to the beach each day and writes sitting in the sand. I realize not all of us have the beach close by or a writing cottage, but I feel sure some of you move out onto porches, decks and poolside.

I pray the start of summer is treating you with hot sunny days on which to write. I look forward to receiving your answers to this post’s summer question. Remember to stop by the café often and bring along your comments and questions.

 

“Every Summer has a story”-Unknown Author

 

 

 

 

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The Writerly Cafe

What Gives You Conference Confidence?

DDCONFERENCEI want to thank everyone that read my first post of The Writerly Café, especially those who took the time to leave a comment. Comments provide us a two-way street of communication. They are our form of “chatter” that fills brick and mortar cafés. Comments build friendships and allows for exchanges of ideas.

This is evident from last month’s question:

  • Is writing your passion and if no one read your writing could you walk away? Most writers write foremost for the joy of writing and to ease the tug on their spirits to put words onto paper. I understand that tugging. I journal and blog because my words need an outlet! Do you agree, readers? Writing is a powerful form of self-expression. Most of you said that you would write if no one read your work.

Now, to change gears, so to speak. It is the season for writing conferences and I for one, could not be happier. I will be attended the BRMCWC (Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference) from May 22 until May 26. I have attended this conference for a good number of years. My writing has improved from the classes I’ve taken and from the encouragement leading professionals in our field have offered.

While preparing this column I thought back to my first conference experience. I was woefully unprepared and did not reap the potential rewards because of my lack of those preparations. Yes, I enjoyed the conference and took copious notes that I still refer to today but I could have gleaned so much more if I’d had CONFERENCE CONFIDENCE.

Conference Confidence comes from being prepared. I am blessed in knowing Edie Melson, director of BRMCWC, and from learning her great tips on preparing for the conference experience. Edie’s suggestions include an invaluable set-up of a conference notebook. I urge those who are first time attendees to read about conference preparations at Edie’s blog. Seasoned writers also benefit from Edie’s blog dedicated to helping writers at all stages of their careers hone their craft.

I learned early on to introduce myself to as many people, conference presenters and fellow attendees alike, and to offer them my business card.

I practiced my pitch and designed a one sheet for my fifteen-minute interviews thus allowing my confidence to rise with each encounter.

So, I throw these questions to you…do you have Conference Confidence, or do you feel lacking in this area? Let me say, I still shiver and quake when I meet some of the giants in our field and still get tongue tied at times. This is only natural. I do feel, however, preparation paves the way to a successful experience. What gives you conference confidence?

If you have any questions about conference preparations or comments that might help our café friends, please share in the comments sections.

Until our next gathering, thank you for pulling your chair up to the table once again.

 

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The Writerly Cafe

Welcome to the Writerly Cafe

a3DDmay16I’m excited to welcome each of you to the Writerly Cafe at Almost An Author. Here, you’ll find a place where writers gather to ask questions, exchange ideas, discuss hot writing topics and simply embrace the joy of writing. Being with others who share the same passion starts creative juices flowing. I hope the topics on our menu board each month will spark new writers to put pen-to-paper and experienced writers to deepen their love of this craft.

From time-to-time I will ask for your questions on issues of interest to writer’s. Please don’t feel any question is unimportant or too elementary to bring to the table. I will research the answers to your questions and do my best to be of help. I am blessed with many friends who are well versed in all areas of writing and have offered to share their wisdom concerning your questions.

“Passion and purpose go hand in hand. When you discover your purpose you will normally find it is something you are tremendously passionate about.”
Steve Pavlina

Using the word passion above prompted me to toss out our first question. (Hosting the column does have its perks!)

I’m assuming you’re interested in writing if you’re reading this, but would you say that writing is your passion? If no one ever read your work, would you continue writing, or would you consider walking away? Please share your answers to these, or any other questions you might have, in the comment section below.

But first, I need to let you in on a secret. You never know when a special guest might join us at the café to offer encouragement, give glimpses into their writing journey, or share their best writing tips. Be sure tocoffee-1111666_640 keep your eye on the door!

Again, welcome to this new place in town. As in any café, we can always pull another chair to our table. The more writers, the better. Pour a cup of coffee, find a seat, and let’s tackle these questions and topics with gusto.

Please return each month to check the menu board. In the meantime, I welcome and appreciate your comments. Follow-up questions are encouraged.