You may already know, November is a busy month for frenzied writing if you’re inclined to have it so. I am so inclined. Last year I signed up for National Novel Writing Month [NaNoWriMo] and didn’t get very far into the month before I ran out of steam.

Writing Projects

This year, I re-upped for NaNoWriMo and I think it’s going to be good. So far, the writing is leading me in interesting ways. The characters are developing and populating effortlessly. And feels like it’s okay because it’s early in the month. I say feels like because it’s been a very long time since I sat to write a long story. And I don’t remember ever having had any measure of discipline about the process.

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The results from Joanna Young’s group writing project are in. I’m a little late posting this; the results came out and I was notified on October 24th. But, I still wanted to list it here. I like to post the results because it helps me to think that I’ve completed the circle.

There’s added incentive to put it here this time, not that I needed any. As always, there are great posts that were submitted. A grand surprise for me, though–I won second place! It was quite exciting to learn that my post garnered some recognition.

It’s been a delight exploring the posts that Joanna Young collected with this group writing project. They are really thought provoking and inspiring. I’ll bet you’ll find something you want to bookmark.

Visit the following sites to see the results:

• Confident Writing – Joanna introduced this project
• Absorbing Writing – You can get more information about the writing retreat as well as the results of the project.
• Group Writing Projects – Has the results of the test; as well as it’s a great resource for writing projects including the upcoming twittering project. I’m new to Twitter so I’m definitely intrigued.

The above picture is one that I shot from the New Orleans Riverwalk Marketplace.

I love traveling. Really. Sometimes, I’ll get to a point when I feel the need to take a trip. A feeling washes over me and I will think It’s time I took a flight out. Without leaving town, I would indulge myself by picking a place away from my house.

When writing is a factor, I need to know where I feel like going. I’ll pick a location that resonates properly in my spirit, as well as a place that facilitates my work.

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Since I do much of my writing on the weekends, I’ve been thinking up ways to make the time most productive and pleasurable. So, participating in this just seems like good fun and useful too: It’s a group writing project over at Joanna Young’s blog, Confident Writing. This one is about your ideal writing weekend.

I first saw it some time ago but I ran out of time. A couple of weeks ago, Joanna shared some of her writing weekend essentials and the rules, and she extended the project’s deadline to September 1, 2008. I thought I would pass it along.

In March this year, I participated in Joanna’s 4×4 sources of writing inspiration project, and that was fun and thought-provoking. The results post on April 3rd was an excellent resource. These projects offer keen insights and novel perspectives.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that this is actually a competitive group writing project. You can visit the link above or go directly to the Absorbing Writing website to get the details.

10.24.2008 My entry for the project, my ideal writing weekend has actually won second prize.

10.30.2008 RESULTS: The results of this project are in! For more details, visit this post to see where it’s posted.

I read regularly Joanna Young’s blog, Confident Writing. On March 14th, she posted a group writing project that appealed to me. The guidelines are simple: write four sets of four things that inspire me to write, due March 28th. I thought it would be fun.

The same day I read the post, I wrote my first draft. Then yesterday I rewrote my list. It was interesting to note that everything from the first didn’t show on the second draft. The changes of course offer fodder for another musing day.

I know there are many things more than on this list that inspire me. What I’ve included are things that open my creative pathways to my idea palette. They provide me spirited time away, out of my workspace, which helps me to write more. I return with ideas spilling out of my head and I am challenged then to capture them as fully and quickly as I can.

4 x 4 Writing Inspirations

Here’s my list of things that get me writing. It’s not definitive, but certainly a great representation of my sources that continue to pour into my writing wellspring.

Nature: When I have time to sit and take it in, it infuses me.

1. The majesty and awesome fullness of weather: a good rain or a shimmering sunny day
2. The profound serenity of trees
3. Birds swarming, swimming, dust bathing, visiting flowers
4. Plants that I can grow

‘Other’ activities: These next activities made the list because their writing mojo is in the distraction and exertion they deliver.

1. Stretching
2. Playing
3. Cooking
4. Drawing

Permission to mess up: When I know it’s okay to write badly, then I can get beyond the voice that says Don’t even try.

1. When it’s only a first draft and there’s time to revise
2. Writing in my journal knowing no one will ever see it
3. When I can’t think of anything productive to write and I have to begin the action of writing
4. When I’m taking notes collecting information, my thoughts and ideas

Photography: I’m inspired by pictures that speak to me, both mine and other photographers’ work.

1. Magazine and blog photos
2. My photographs that return me to where I shot them: The picture that adorns this blog’s header section is one example; it takes me back to Boston, Massachusetts where I took shot it
3. People, candid shots: Below is my brother Kemic and his baby daughter



4. Taking pictures: I immerse myself in getting the right composition and perspective to capture the story inside the shot, and I revel in the fact that it often boils down to luck

I can turn to these activities, or sit with a picture, and it takes me out of place, giving me room to breathe deeply and regroup. They each give me a break from the work of writing, which is the only way that I can do my best. As writer, Dr. Kirk Byron Jones says, “No sitting, no soaring.”

This 4 x 4 Sources of Writing Inspiration: Group Writing Project really was a lot of fun to do. Thanks again to Joanna Young for sharing the activity. It’s always good to know how to spark your inspiration—for times when you just can’t sit and wait for it.

If you’ve not yet done so, think about it and let me know what you do to fuel your writing fires.