Monday, August 5, 2013

Stay Hydrated








The summer heat takes a toll on my flowers and veggies. If I'm not diligent to water them, I find droopy plants. The New Guinea Impatiens are particularly sensitive to dry conditions. So, every morning, I fill my watering can and give them a generous drink.

If it's particularly hot, I'll repeat the process in the early evening. They cannot produce the blooms I love or the veggies I crave without proper nourishment.

Writing is a lot like gardening. If I want the words to flow, there must be resources to sustain the process. Here are some of the things I do to keep my writing garden watered:

1)  I pay attention to my relationship with the Lord and with others. This requires spending quality time and giving of myself.

2)  All writing and no living sucks the life out of my creativity. I give myself permission to rest and have fun.

3)  I write Christian Speculative Fiction. It's important for me to read about new developments that will affect our future. This often gives me ideas for plots and characters.

These simple things help prevent the dreaded writer's block and keep my writing garden producing stories and devotionals for readers.

Writers:  How do you nurture your creativity?

Readers: How do you stay motivated with your work and hobbies?

Photo Credit:  techny57




5 comments:

Karen Lange said...

Great points, Susan! I am the same way; I need to have a good dose of real life in order to be ready for writing and other things.

This post reminds me that I need to water the garden! lol :)

Blessings,
Karen

Jean Fischer said...

Good post, Susan. You're right that writing is a lot like gardening. Where I choose to write inspires my creativity. I love writing outside near my garden or by the lake. I also try to pay attention to small details. Sometimes the tiniest seeds grow into the biggest ideas.

Blessings,
Jean

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

Lately, I'm getting too much of a dose of real life. It will probably result in some posts, but I'm still too raw from the loss.

Hi Jean - When the ideas start flowing, they piggyback on each other. It's exciting when that happens.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jeanette Levellie said...

I nurture creativity by praying, reading great books and articles, and hanging out with creative sorts.

Thanks for asking!

I'm praying for you.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jen -

While I do all of the above, "hanging out with creative sorts" is a fun way to stir up the gift.

Blessings,
Susan :)