#creative routines

[amorettefranceswrites]

Writing with Hands That Don’t Always Cooperate

Some days, writing feels like trying to hold water in a sieve. When your hands ache, or they don’t move the way you want them to, or they just refuse to play along, everything that used to feel effortless suddenly requires strategy. It’s frustrating, it’s infuriating and, let’s be honest, it’s lonely sometimes, too. But I didn’t stop writing, and I won’t. Because my stories still matter, even…

[andr0nap]

cowboy au but i commit to the lack of horses on no mans land

[indulgentcosmos]

I had the fortune of stumbling across @stupidlittlespirit ‘s (I hope you don’t mind the tag) “When it rains, it spores” fic which was an INCREDIBLE read. It is in-fact so good, it violently jerked me out of my creative block and had me picking up a pen once again. Although somewhat of a messy sketchy product, it was still a delight to visualise the hiding scene as I saw it in my mind.

[faerie-somnium]

Chuuya: We gotta leave soon, they're expecting us out there.

Dazai: Just a few more minutes.

[stellorao3]

my writing ability drastically increased when i started zooming out my google documents to 90%

[retroautomaton]

So, I went ahead and ‘soft-closed’ my patreon, (made everything free to view, but I won’t keep posting on it) mostly bc i wasn’t great at being consistent, and it just got a little too jumbled for me.

In hopes of unjumbling, I instead made a little… ✨ Ko-Fi Membership! ✨

Just one tier, only $3 a month, and you’ll get monthly goodies like palettes, color guides & special commissions! May’s theme is Creature Feature & the rewards are…

An exclusive Commission Type, that only members can buy a slot for!

The Alien Plastica Color Palette & Guide!

I figured since I use Ko-Fi pretty often, this would be a much better option, and something I’ll be able to give more attention to and be more comfortable with! I want to be able to give you guys something consistent, and be financially stable enough to give it all my effort! Your support will be, and has always been incredibly appreciated! ✨

Come by the Ko-Fi Shop! ✨☕️

[authorsharonforester]

Sticking To A Writing Routine

​Welcome. Today, I will show you how hard it is to stay on track with writing and the ways to overcome it. Here at home, I will currently express that I haven't written in a long time. 

The trouble with that is that I really want to, and despite that, I am not writing. I have a hard time sticking to writing a little bit every day because I am worried about how I will finish my work and the work it takes to do my writing and then edit it.

People have different reasons why they procrastinate writing. For all of us, it doesn't mean we enjoy writing. We are just afraid of failure in some way. For example, for me it is the process of editing and how much work it is going to take. My brain tells me that I will never finish the editing process because it takes so much time. I want to do things that will take very little time.

The story I am working on is about an alien that joins his people's plans on wanting to invade planet Earth, but the alien doesn't want to partake in this mission, and meanwhile on Earth, a girl and her friend are desperate to meet a live alien. This is a novel that took me three years to write when I was a little girl. I have written the entire thing on paper and now I need to type it on the computer.

It is important to keep yourself accountable for getting the work done. I am on camera because I want to show you that it is possible to come and stay on track in the writing process if you really let yourself do this. There are different ways to hold you accountable. You just gotta pick the types that work for you because everyone is different.

-Make a schedule and stick to it -Make a goal and stick to it -Make a checklist and work on it for a duration of time -Make a sign in, sign out sheet -Set a goal for the day -Get someone else to keep you accountable -Dedicate a day for your tasks

What works for every single person is different, so it is important you find what works for you, whether it is something from this list or something you come up with on your own. What works for me is this (when I am disciplined): Setting a goal and using a day to accomplish it. ​ Let me tell you how I found this. I was roaming through YouTube one day when I found an interview with Stephen King on there. I clicked on it because the title said he was talking about how he was making books so fast. He went into the conversation to mention that he sets the goal of writing SIX PAGES a day and then having the entire day to accomplish this. He also mentions that when he is being overcome with obstacles in writing, then he will use that time to take breaks, and what he does in those breaks is either eat a meal, shop at the door for things he needs or do a chore. He uses his breaks to do something he needs to get some practice in his personal life instead of being distracted by the phone and TV, which is really important to getting anything done. It is like being at school at home. Sometimes it makes it easier to think of it as an assignment he needs to get done. All these little things work as a motivator for him while he is working. Then he will start over the next day until he reaches his day(s) off.

This was inspiring to me because everyone else always came up with ideas that didn't work for me, such as the list above. For me, working under a time limit didn't work because I didn't know what to expect to come in randomly in my life. Others are able to work under pressure… It all depends on who you are and that you pick what works for you. As long as you pick something that is realistic to you, then you are on your way.

The last thing that you need to remember is that you need to start with small goals and just write! before you set yourself up with bigger goals and worry about editing, or else you will never get anything done because you are overwhelming yourself. We will overthink everything and then end up messing up our own stories.

[skunkes]

question for any artists who are employed full time: is the work/life (art) balance rly possible... (for You since i know it depends on the job/position/career etc)

[1eos]

'routine and discipline takes the stress away from the day to day things and grants you the freedom to play and experiment with your creative work' okayyyyyyyyy i get it let me get back to strictly enforcing a bedtime

[theoniprince]

Mal sehen... wo Adam und ich damit hinwollen. Muss mir klar darüber werden, was ich für ne AU will 8D

Late wild sketchy stuff

[sarastuss]

got the urge to remake my icon again bc of the dash update, hm

[crmsnmth]

The Mornings: Spring 2013

Wake up to drink bitter coffee add salt to balance it out add whiskey as a hair of the dog heartburn rushes me already spend the morning staring at the wall revel in the silence

Smoke a cigarette aggressively brush my teeth It doesn't matter how often I always seem to spit blood Let it stain the sink Drink beer in the shower

Throw on dirty jeans wore them everyday this week grab a t-shirt off the floor smell it it's fine throw it on with a cigarette still in my mouth

Walk outside, walk to work another day I want to jump the bridge but I put my headphones Milo yells in my ears Move through the blocks pass by her old apartment stabbing knife pain every single fucking time

Take a different route miss seeing your place miss your room miss you Get to work early still learning the timing Pop a Valium and go inside

Elevator up to 12 Cute girl gets on I should say hi I should say nothing and so I don't Smile politely Echo and The Bunny men

Sigh sit at desk and take calls pretend I give a shit pretend I'm doing my job Cubicle cemetery computer chair coffins

think about getting high pop another Valium

I am alone and I hate everything

[empressessence]

The Art of Sacred Self-Care: Nurturing Your Inner Empress

Welcome back to Empress Essence, where we continue our journey of self-discovery and empowerment. In our last blog post, we explored the essence of feminine energy and the importance of embracing our inner Empress. Today, let us delve deeper into the practice of sacred self-care—a cornerstone of our journey towards embodying our fullest potential.

Honoring Your Temple: Your body is a sacred vessel—a temple that houses your divine essence. Treat it with the reverence it deserves by nourishing it with wholesome foods, movement, and rest. Practice self-care rituals that honor your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Whether it's a gentle yoga session, a nourishing meal, or a soothing bath, prioritize activities that replenish and rejuvenate your body.

Cultivating Mindfulness: In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to become disconnected from the present moment. Cultivate mindfulness as a means of anchoring yourself in the here and now. Take time each day to pause, breathe, and tune into your senses. Whether it's through meditation, mindful movement, or simply savoring a cup of tea, allow yourself to fully immerse in the richness of each moment.

Embracing Ritual and Ceremony: Rituals and ceremonies hold profound significance in honoring the sacred within and around us. Create rituals that speak to your soul—a morning gratitude practice, a full moon ceremony, or a sacred space for reflection and intention-setting. Infuse these rituals with meaning and intention, allowing them to serve as potent reminders of your connection to the divine.

Setting Boundaries: Boundaries are essential for preserving your energy and maintaining your inner harmony. Learn to discern what nurtures your soul and what depletes it. Set clear boundaries around your time, energy, and relationships, honoring your needs and priorities. Remember, saying no to what no longer serves you is an act of self-love and empowerment.

Cultivating Creativity: Creativity is a powerful expression of feminine energy—a force that flows through you, inspiring innovation, beauty, and growth. Engage in activities that ignite your creative spark—whether it's painting, writing, dancing, or gardening. Allow yourself the freedom to play, explore, and express your unique essence without inhibition.

As we conclude our exploration of sacred self-care, I invite you to incorporate these practices into your daily life with intention and reverence. Remember, nurturing your inner Empress is not selfish; it is an act of profound love and devotion to yourself and those around you. Embrace the art of sacred self-care and watch as it illuminates your path towards wholeness and fulfillment.

We invite you to share your own self-care rituals below, and stay tuned for upcoming  community events focused on sacred self-care practices.

[byoldervine]

What's your routine when it comes to writing?

I’m literally just writing everything I can think of because I don’t know if I have a routine exactly but hopefully something here answers your question

My writing goal is 1K words per week, and I’ve been able to keep up with this since the start of this year. It’s not much, but it gives me a minimum amount of consistent progress without burning me out, which is incredibly helpful

I work Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so I get most of my writing done outside of that, and then Mondays are usually busy for me so it’s up in the air how much writing I’ll get done that day. For the last few weeks I’ll write a little on Monday, then get the bulk of it done on Thursday and/or Saturday, which leaves Sunday free

I can’t have too many background distractions or I’ll zero in on that even if I’m not interested in it, but I find I work best with quiet background noise of some variety to ensure I’m not understimulated. My favourites tend to be a writing sprint video I love and custom soundpads I’ve made on TableTop Audio, which allows you to easily create soundscapes for whatever setting it is you’re writing about

I like writing on my laptop more than anything, with one tab being my writing and another being my notes. Any tabs that aren’t related to my writing need to be closed or they get too tempting. I cannot use my phone to research in this time or I will definitely get distracted

I work from two locations; in my bed or in the living room set up on the recliner. Both locations involve open curtains and blinds for natural light and a blanket over my lap while I write. I even have a dedicated writing blanket which has largely been taken over by my dogs, who will snuggle up whenever I get it out. I have to frequently stop them from laying their heads on my keyboard and creating shortcuts

If it’s a good motivation day or I’m at a point where I need to write a lot today or I won’t meet my deadlines, I’ll put on the writing sprint video and work within those parameters; 25 minutes writing, 5 minutes taking a break, repeat three more times. This is what got me through NaNoWriMo

Otherwise, I’ll turn on my soundscapes and tell myself I’ll just write for ten minutes and then I can stop if I want to. After ten minutes my brain wants to at least finish the part it’s on, and then I question if I want to keep going. Usually the answer is yes, so I’ll keep going. If I get to a point where my interest is starting to wane, I’ll tell myself to give it another ten minutes, and if I’m still disinterested I quit for the time being

After I’ve finished my weekly goal, I always try to reward myself with a snack or something fun. Lately the desired treat has been chocolate chip muffins

Once I’ve hit the goal and am no longer writing, I tend not to pick it up again until the next week because my brain thinks ‘well anything I write now won’t count to my immediate goals, so why bother?’ even though logically it’ll mean less of these sessions in the future. I do usually get at least 1100 words each week though, and I’d say my average is around 1200-1500, so I’m not too worried about that. I don’t mind so much if this all takes me a long time, it’s all for fun anyway

[estellaedgewater]

Day 41 of writing until I finish my book

~ adding notes and comments to your WIP counts as writing

[azaracyy]

today, cupimon prays for your happiness too.