Five Fun Ways to Stimulate Creativity

1. Hike in a beautiful place. Bring along your latest story thoughts, problems, and ideas. Also bring a pen and small notebook.


2. Lie in a spot of sun, pen and story in hand, and let yourself drift into that place between waking and sleeping. (But you do have to wake back up to write down any inspirations!)


3. Read a wonderful book (or ten) similar to what you're writing. (In the past few days, I've flown through Hilari Bell's Shield of Stars, Karen Cushman's The Midwife's Apprentice, David Macaulay's Castle, and Usborne's Medieval World.)


4. Read an inspirational writing book, such as Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird or Jane Yolen's Take Joy.


5. Put on a wrist brace and determine that you'll take a few days' break from writing to rest from, say, tendonitis. I find that one particularly floods me with ideas!

:) Cheryl