That One Time I Celebrated National Creativity Day

May 30, 2018 | 1 comment

May 30 is National Creativity Month. But, I think y’all might have picked up on that based on this post’s title. Am I right?

So, I just got back from ~~a lovely trip along the milky way~~ my yearly excursion to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. It was, as always, life changing. How many life changes can This Girl go through and still be changed? I’m so glad you asked. Apparently, the answer is, well, quite a bit.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : That One Time I Celebrated National Creativity Day

I still can’t put into words all this year’s trip meant to me. So I’m using my other creative notions today. Oh, but I do wanna add this. First, Mr. Laube started the Scooby Snack fight this year . . . Okay. It’s possible likely accurate that I may or may not have provided him with the snacks prior to the throw-down. But he’s the one who stalked me all the way to the airport just to chuck another pack at me. [Shhh. I don’t want to hear how he was “actually” flying home on the same plane we were taking halfway across the country. Reality has no bearing on this tale.]

Oh. Also: They. Served. GUMBO. #truestory

Frankly, My Dear . . . Gumbo at Blue Ridge

Oh, sorry. Did I get my drool on you? Anyway . . .

Creativity for many of us isn’t just one thing. Sure, we have That One Thing we do awesome-sauce well, but it’s not the only thing. So today, I’m embracing the many pieces of my creativity that make up the mosaic of me.

Whether you are an artist, a writer, a construction worker, a parent, sibling, or child, there are many ways you can express and celebrate today.

You can use this day as your catalyst to begin a creative project [click here to Jump and Jot], or start a new Happy Planner layout for next month. You can celebrate your muse by taking it (and yourself) to a movie, a concert, or a park and pay attention to the world around you.

Frankly, My Dear . . . Celebrating National Creativity Day

I’ll be sketching, cooking, journaling, plotting a backstory, editing some NOLA. Oh, did I tell you? I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a publisher . . . And now that publisher knows me. Fingers crossed, this may be the year of the NOLA. Schweet, yes?

Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get some fun/work done.

With smiley balloons and a song to sing,
Happy National Creativity Day.
~Molly Jo

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

Click on the photo below to sign up for my monthly Author, Etc. newsletter, filled with marketing, social media, and other creative aspects of being a writer. And if ya do, there’s an award-winning short story in it for you. You’re welcome. [Insert creative smiley face here, wink-wink.]

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Writing Isn’t a Disease. It’s a Diagnosis

Sweeten my tea and share:

How Does Your Character Eat?

Dec 7, 2017 | 2 comments

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

You can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she eats, especially on a first date. Can I get a whoot-whoot nod of appreciation here?

Seriously. Think about it. Are they delicate? Do they play with their food? Do they take time to savor every bite? Or do they get right to masticating their steak? Do they take a bite of everything with one forkful? Or push the foods away from each other? Do they douse the meal with salt and other seasonings? Load up with butter? Or take it as it is? If they’re at a restaurant, do they look at the menu, ask for the daily specials, or just suggest their own version of what’s available? What type of restaurant is their favorite? Do they care that you’re at the table with them?

Whether you’re just starting to write them, or are introducing them to your best friend-reader, meeting characters is a lot like taking them on a first date to your favorite restaurant. Some of them will fit right in and know how to act. Others will take their cue from observation. And still others won’t care what anyone thinks.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Osso Buco from Bella Trattoria, Mission Inn, Riverside

Because writing is a holistic discovery that includes all the senses, taking your peeps to dinner is essential. Now, I mean this both figuratively and literally. Pros will tell ya, adding good food (like, oh, I dunno, coffee and beignets or maybe a specialty gelato) into your manuscript draws the reader in with something they can recognize. More than just for survival, food triggers emotions and memories. It can do the same for your characters, and lead them through their journey of discovery.

You can also use the #foodie reference by asking, “How would my character eat a Junior’s Cheesecake?” or “Do they fold their pizza in half?” Knowing how your characters eat will help you write them more accurately:

Someone who is afraid of sushi doesn’t often go parasailing
A traditional Christmas dinner leads to a character reminiscing and embracing heritage
Does your character thoughtfully sip their coffee or talk with their mouth full?
If your guy is willing to grab a coffee and hot dog from a street vendor, he may be more adventurous than his friend who wipes down the handle of the grocery cart before shopping
When your gal pal dunks her shortbread into a cup of hot tea, she might be willing to check out the new movie or bookstore, but less likely to go nightclubbing
Do they drink beer from a glass or a bottle? Do they abstain?
Is there an after-dinner cigarette involved? Or a stroll under street lamps?
Do they prefer a solid, four-course meal or do they pick snacks and finger foods from the buffet?
And what about dessert? Pie? Cake? Cupcakes? Chocolate? All of the above?

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Do your characters embrace flavor and choice?

Giving your character the opportunity to express themselves through dialogue over a table of good food gives you the opportunity to show their mannerisms (and their manners!), and behavior patterns. How do they talk to those around them- waiters, patrons, tablemates? Do they order too much, leave food on the plate, eat from everyone else’s dish?

These are all insights that, whether you write them into your story or not, will give you the information you need to create a character your readers will relate to. And once they relate, they may even turn the page for that ever-sought-after second date.

[Look for The Character Cookbook by Molly Jo Realy, coming soon.]

Frankly, My Dear . . . : How Does Your Character Eat?

Meeting characters is a lot like taking them on a first date to your favorite restaurant.

Tweet This!

With a coffee cup and a dinner date,
Happy writing!
~Molly Jo

And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share:

Jacqueline Patterson’s Key to Success

Feb 9, 2017 | 2 comments

Jacqueline Patterson’s Key to Success

by Jacqueline Patterson @jacpatterson

Frankly, My Dear . . . Jacqueline Patterson’s Key to Success

“The more we work to help others,
the more we begin to enjoy the life we’re living.”

I raised my heavy-lidded gaze from the laptop screen and the quote on the coffee cup stared back at me. Like I really have time!

My eyes shifted to the blinking light on the phone, the sure indication that yet more messages were waiting for me.

I couldn’t take care of the rest of the world.

I turned my phone so I could no longer see the blinking light.

I had too much to do, too much to plan and consider and rewrite if I hoped to finish my book by my self-imposed deadline. After all, this was my story, my words, and that meant my work was most important, right?

Right.

And I wouldn’t let this distract me.

I turned back to my laptop, but my fingers were lead on the keyboard. I added a solitary word here, a phrase there, but my gaze continued to stray back to the quote.

“The more we work to help others . . .”

“No,” I said, and my voice was firm with resolve. “You will finish this story.” My friends would take care of themselves, the way they had a hundred times before. I would pray for them, then check up on them once I finished these edits. Surely things weren’t so severe they needed me right now.

I started at the half-empty page on the screen, and found myself rereading the words I had added since spotting the quote. Most were repetitions, rambling and distracted. How long had I been locked into this writing frenzy anyway? Days? Weeks? I couldn’t remember the last time I sought out contact with a friend other than with a quick writing question. I had simply burrowed away into my writing shell, where all that mattered was my story . . . and me.

As if friendship wasn’t even important.

But . . . Wasn’t it my duty to put my book first? After all, I was the one who went around reminding everyone they were the only ones who could write their story, and how would it look if I didn’t keep up my reputation for busyness? I shouldn’t step back from my writing. Even for an hour.

I had work to do.

I glanced between my laptop and my phone, my mind rebelling as I made my decision.

There would be time to work on my book later. I would always make time. There were no guarantees that all my friends would last until tomorrow.

The key to success was not to push myself forward, but to care for others. Even my writing was not for myself, as much as I wanted to hold to the comfort of that illusion. Why seek publication except to reach others?

It would be an empty journey without friendship. Without sharing dreams.

I closed my laptop and reached for my phone.

CLICK TO TWEET: Frankly, My Dear: Jacqueline Patterson’s Key to Success.

Jacqueline Patterson

Jacqueline Patterson wrote her first book at the age of five: the tale of an assassin hen on the trail of a crafty fox. (OK, so the story wasn’t that epic, but the hen was mean.) That first story hooked her, and she hasn’t stopped since. She is currently editing Primate, the first book in her Forever in Time series, in the hope of publication . . . If she can ever convince herself that she’s found the perfect draft. Talk to Jacqueline about books, and she will be your friend forever. You can connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share:

Where Is My Creativity? by Jacqueline Patterson

Jan 7, 2017 | 6 comments

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Where is My Creativity?

by Jacqueline Patterson @jacpatterson

From Molly Jo:
I met Jacqueline last year at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Since then, she’s been highly active in the Firsts in Fiction podcast audience, and on social media. If you follow either of us (more her) on Twitter or Instagram, you’ll see what I mean. She’s my kind of person! Snarky, social, and steady. When asked what three things define our friendship, she responded, “Love of the written word/writing, laughter, and fun ideas/plans. Plus, we both like to cook!” I told her I was just thinking writing, faith and coffee, but I liked her answer better. So now we’re in a bit of competition to see who can come up with a better answer. Typical us. You’ll find us (hopefully) at this year’s BRMCWC, eating chili and keeping the neighbors awake with our caffeine-induced laughter.
Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or family member obligated to read this blog, we know you’re going to love her new monthly column on writing.

~#~

Jacqueline Patterson – Where is My Creativity?

I growled at my laptop screen and [I swear it’s true] the laptop growled back. I had been laboring over my WIP [work in progress] for hours. Literal back-wrenching, misery-inflicting hours.

The characters I once loved were now dead . . . and bordering on stupid. Although [I’m going for complete honesty here] nothing could be more moronic than the storyline itself.

Somewhere in the process, I had lost touch with my creativity, and the story was suffering from my stubborn dedication to a plotline I knew in my heart of hearts was wrong.

I know, I know, we’re writers. We live writing and we breathe writing and there is no such thing as a break. But sometimes [Okay, a collective deep breath here], we need to step away. Give ourselves a chance to view our stories through fresh eyes.

Here are a few self-discoveries I found for reclaiming my creativity.

First of all, step out of your comfort zone.

Yes. You heard me right.

If you’re like me [it’s okay to admit it], there’s nothing scarier than shaking up your routine. You have your specific writing spot, your fixed writing time, your bossy writing quirks or whatever you’re holding on to.

Let it go.

Shake things up. Is your story dead? Maybe you’ve settled for the wrong protagonist, and your characters are trying to let you know. Play around with POVs [Point of View], names and scenarios. I find when I try this that sometimes a new story is born out of the hodgepodge of ideas and I’m eager to get back to writing again.

Try a new writing spot. Confession: I fought this for so long. But once I tried it, I found that it sharpened my senses and forced me to concentrate. Now I try a new writing spot every week, even if it’s simply a different seat in the same coffee shop.

Start something new. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s okay to set your story aside and work on that project that’s been gnawing at the back of your mind. You’ll return to your WIP with fresh energy.

Go back over your WIP. Is there a chance you mis-stepped and forced a scene that doesn’t belong in your story? Ask yourself if you’ve taken a wrong turn. Often, writer’s block is caused by something as simple as a misplaced sentence, or an unneeded character.

Seek out what first inspired you to write this story. When did the idea for your WIP originally generate? Rewatch that movie, reread that book, revisit that spot. Reach back into the emotions of discovery. After all, you were the one chosen to write this story.

Brainstorm with fellow writers. You’ll come away with the creative juices flowing, and a collision of ideas that will drive you back to the laptop.

Take time to simply relax. You are not a writing robot. You can’t spend your entire life in front of a screen, churning out novels with mindless predictability. Go out and live this thing called life. Explore. Challenge yourself to new adventure.

This is not a game.

This is not a hobby.

This is your story . . . and your gift to the world. Allow yourself a moment to breathe and to find your story again. Step away so that you can return to your writing with open eyes and renewed creativity.

After all, we are creating stories that we hope will last forever.

CLICK TO TWEET: Frankly, My Dear . . . : Where is My Creativity?

Jacqueline Patterson

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

Save

Sweeten my tea and share:

New Year, New Words

Dec 31, 2016 | 2 comments

2017

New Year, New Words

By Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68

I noticed a trend on social media some years ago. Instead of making expect-to-break-them resolutions, people were claiming colors, phrases or related words to define their goals when a new year came around.

I once Dared to be an Awesome Orange. Two years ago, I pared it down even more to choose one word. Boundaries was first. The next year was Better.

Sometimes it takes a while to discover your personal Word of the Year. Sometimes it comes to you as easy as breathing.

Whether you choose one word or three, or go all-out with a list of resolutions, here are some tips to consider:

Set a Journey, Not a Goal: Specific goals, while great, aren’t always met in a timely manner, or at all. This can lead to a person feeling like a failure instead of a success. Rather, choose what will help you grow incrementally.
Choose to be a Diamond: You are more than a two-dimensional object. Make your mantra reflect all your beautiful facets.
Everything Old is New Again: Don’t be intimidated by the “new” in New Year. It’s okay to enhance what you already know.
Can You Relate?: Is your theme shareable? Keep yourself accountable by letting your followers in on your journey.
Give Yourself Permission: It’s okay to tell yourself, “It’s okay.” It’s okay to dream, set goals, fail, try again, change, move, and be still.
Shine Like The Star That You Are: Whatever you choose, don’t bury it in the sand or under your pillow. Reach your world with your bright light.
It’s ALL About YOU: Your resolution/word/mantra should encompass the essence of you and what you want to accomplish in the next twelve months. Adding others to the mix can be a great idea, as long as there aren’t too many cooks in your kitchen.

How does any of this apply to social media and writing? The simple answer: It doesn’t. The complex answer: Everything’s writing. Everything’s social. Your theme should amplify your personality, goals, work ethic, belief system . . . Anything and everything you need it to amplify and grow.

Now, choose your word for the New Year, and hit the ground running.

I’m choosing to be Fierce in 2017. What will you be?

With some sweet tea and running shoes,

~Molly Jo

CLICK TO TWEET: Frankly, My Dear: New Year, New Words. Choose yours & hit the ground running!