10 Ways to Kick-Start Our Creative Muse

Photo Credit: emivieira/Creative Commons

I try to do it all. Meaning: I’m a wife. I’m a mom. I’m a writer. I’m a blogger. I’m a million things rolled into one. Sometimes, all the hats I wear leave me breathless.

I have a lot of thoughts and ideas that run through my mind, but occasionally, the creative well runs dry and I’m left scratching my head. Where do I go for inspiration? How do I come up with the next plot, the right story, or tomorrow’s blog post? What will kick-start my creative muse?

Here are some hints that have helped me:

• An idea folder. I started compiling interesting newspaper/magazine articles about 20 years ago, and I keep them in a manilla file folder. These cover everything from fashion trends to major world events. These pieces have proven helpful when fleshing out new characters, story ideas, or blog posts.

• Research trips. I make a conscious effort to break away from my office at least once a week. These are generally inexpensive day trips and getaways that will tickle my creative muse. For instance, I might visit a flea market, tea room, or some nearby locale that kick-starts my creative juices. The idea is to go somewhere different–and I always take a notepad.

• Libraries. I confess. Something about the smell and all those books fire me up! At the bigger branch I go to, there’s a large periodical room, cozy, comfy niches, and a coffee shop with lots of quiet tables and delicious edible goodies. Including chocolate.

• Television. I rarely watch T.V. for extended periods, but when channels like TCM or Hallmark are having all-day movie marathons, it’s fun to kick back for a while and watch Doris Day at her finest or family programming like Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly. Currently, the History Channel’s The Bible seems promising.

• Museums. Depending on your interest, these are hotbeds of ideas. Locally, I’m partial to the Ralph Foster Museum at College of the Ozarks. There are three floors of antiques, artifacts, and local memorabilia all for a very reasonable admission charge. This summer, I look forward to visiting Crystal Bridges, a newer museum of American art, in Bentonville, Arkansas. I understand it’s a visual treat and very inspiring. A nice bonus? Admission is free (a wonderful word in today’s economy). You probably have some great museums in your area, too, that kick-start the creative juices.

• Pinterest. Okay, I’ve not succumbed yet to this delightful feast for the eyes, but I probably will one day. Some pinners who intrigue me are Carla Stewart (think a fun dose of nostalgia, vintage, and whimsy), Elizabeth Traub (interior design, fashion, food, and very sigh-worthy!), and Erin MacPherson (chock-full of deelish recipes, crafts, and mom stuff. There’s just something about the visualization process that speaks to our brains in a way nothing else can.

• Devotions. Without a doubt, studying God’s word is a perfect way to begin any day. No matter how many times I’ve read the same passage of scripture, I always learn something new. Our “alone time” with our Heavenly Father channels new thoughts and revives our souls. I enjoy Jessica Patch’s Wednesday devotionals. She puts it out there plainly and makes learning fun! Another gal who inspires me is Donna Pyle. Donna is a wonderful author, speaker, and teacher. She’s written over 18 Bible studies and she’s about as humble and down-to-earth as they come.

• Blog reading. Like Books and Such Literary Agency’s. Yes, I’m biased. But there’s a reason their blog has amassed a huge following. Their site is known as one of the best go-to sites for straight-shooting industry news served with a generous dose of encouragement. (And my agent blogs on Fridays, BTW.)

• Women’s conferences. The last one I attended was Jennifer Rothschild’s Fresh Grounded Faith Conference. It was amazing! Christian conferences fire us up in a way nothing else can. Not only do we have our spiritual wells filled, but we become better equipped to share the love with others. Jennifer’s conference wasn’t just great blog material; it was inspiration for a lifetime!

• Books. Of course, you knew I’d include that one. But it’s true–reading works. It’s important to read in our genre (for those of us who write), but it’s also necessary to read a variety of materials, too. Just gleaning a newspaper headline or a magazine article can cause us to think in new and different ways. And reading a genre that we might not normally be drawn to can, again, open doors to inspiration. (That being said, there are certain reads that probably wouldn’t serve much purpose for me.) It’s about stretching our knowledge base and feeding our creative muse.

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How do YOU kick-start your creative muse?

Anything that wouldn’t be conducive to your creative pursuits?

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Photo Credit: emivieira/Creative Commons

Blessings Always,