Boost Your Creativity in Ten Simple Ways

Have you ever had that kind of day when the creative well runs dry? That was me last week, staring at my notebook, waiting for the ideas to come. While we love to think we are in charge of our writerly destiny, there are days when you're out of sync.

But there is good news! Otherwise, this would be a seriously depressing blog post, am I right?

Today, I'll teach you ten simple ways to boost your creativity! Ready? Okay!

1. GO OUTSIDE OF YOUR ROUTINE.

Think about the day-to-day of your life. For me, it looks something like this:

  1. Wake up. Coffee.

  2. Go to work. Coffee.

  3. Lunch break. Coffee.

  4. Go home. Coffee.

In all seriousness, routine is a blessing and a curse. It can help us to create a schedule for our writing, but it can become mundane. When we're trapped in the routine rut, it's time to break out.

How can we do this? Here are a couple of ideas for you:

  • Take a day off. Time to play writing hookey! Get away from your desk and refresh.

  • Make a small switch. Keep it small, man. Park on a different floor. Wear heels instead of flats. A minimal shift can bring a maximum impact.

  • Take a walk. Getting outside can both inspire and de-stress you.

2. BREAK OUT THE BOOKS.

Obviously, we like books. But are we taking the time to actually, you know, read? It's time to set down our laptops and pick up the hardbacks!

Here are some creative reading tips for you, my friend:

  • Read a book outside of your genre. Don't be a one-note reader. Expand your horizons and read something fresh.

  • Read something outside of your medium. How about poetry? A medical journal? If you are a fiction writer, it doesn't limit you to being a fiction reader.

  • Read a visual story. Pick up a graphic novel or a comic book this week!

3. GET SOME SHUT-EYE.

In college, I consistently pulled all-nighters. I'd stay up all night perfecting whatever writing project was due the next day, and I'd roll into class looking I belonged on The Walking Dead. Don't stay up too late, okay?

If you must stay up late, then make room for a nice nap in your schedule. You only need twenty minutes to refresh your brain and rebuild your energy. You'll be amazed at how much more productive you can be when you're well rested.

4. START WRITING ON PAPER.

If you haven't read my post about writing the old fashioned way, hop on over! (Or skip. Or slide.) Writing on paper is an incredibly freeing experience, mainly because it prevents you from editing as you go along.

When you break away from the computer screen, it allows your mind to wander in a bigger, broader way. Don't tie yourself down! You're a balloon! A plane! Okay, I'll stop now.

5. TAKE A DIGITAL BREAK.

I need to confess something. I'm slightly addicted to my phone. If I'm not checking Instagram, I'm flipping through my Twitter feed. If I'm not studying my blog stats, I'm refreshing my book sales. This madness must stop.

Lately, I've been seizing every excuse to ditch the tech. Here are a few tips for breaking the digital bond:

  • Shut the data off on your apps. We're bringing back the 90's, my friend. When I'm off writing, I turn the data option off of my apps, so that I can't use them unless I'm connected to WiFi.

  • Set a time limit. Instagram to your heart's content... but only for ten minutes. Be specific, so you can stick to it.

  • Leave your phone in the other room. Turn the ringer on high and get to work!

6. BE PRESENT.

Our minds are constantly jumping to the next big thing. How many times have you finished a book only to dive right into the sequel? We are always looking ahead, which is both good and bad.

If you're trying to find your creative spark, it's imperative that you stay in the moment. You can't write a story now when you're thinking about how to sell it later. Stay grounded, like so:

  • Meditate. Sit in a quiet space and block out the thoughts. Find a guided meditation to get you started.

  • Free-write. Pair this baby with #4. Basically, write as fast as you can with whatever nonsense pops into your brain.

  • Mind Map. Break out a blank sheet of paper and start mapping! You begin with a big idea bubble, then branch out with smaller idea bubbles.

7. ISOLATE YOURSELF.

I consider myself to be a social person. I love hanging out with friends and family, but sometimes, I need to take a few hours for myself. It's okay to take a break! A few ideas on how to unwind alone:

  • Binge-watch a new show. But do this with intention. Pay attention to dialogue, setting, or storyline. Give your TV time a purpose!

  • Spa trip. Time to relax! Get thee to a spa-ery. (Butchered that.)

  • Start a creative project. Have you tried the new adult coloring book fad? Or maybe you're a scrapbook maker. Find your creative drive in non-writing creations.

8. FIND INSPIRATION ONLINE.

While the Internet world can serve as a distraction, you can also make it work for you. I have a set of blogs that I read daily, as well as podcasts I listen to, and youtubers I watch. It's important to surround yourself by the people who inspire you. Looking for ideas? Have at 'em:

9. ESCAPE FROM THE DAILY GRIND.

Cabin fever? No thank you. It's time to get on your feet and greet the great outdoors. Or maybe just a shopping mall. Totally up to you.

If you really want to re-energize and kick your inspiration up a notch, it's time to get away from the desk. Here are a few ideas:

  • Travel. Make like Nemo, and get lost! (Ha. Ha.)

  • Take a Day Trip. Don't have the time or money for a full-fledged vacation? Take a day trip to somewhere nearby.

  • Have fun! Go to the aquarium. Ride bikes in the park. Visit a cupcake shop. So many options!

10. HAVE A POW-WOW.

Maybe isolation isn't for you. Maybe your creativity needs a tribe! I love having brainstorming sessions with my writer pals and find inspiration from talking shop with them. If you need a pow-wow, look no further:

  • #StorySocial chat. Kristen of She's Novel and I host a Twitter chat every Wednesday at 9 PM EST, helping writers to navigate social media. It's a great place to ask questions and make friends!

  • Meet in person. Have in person writer friends? Meet up at a coffee shop and get chatting.

Discussion Time: How do you boost your creativity when you're in a slump?

Spring is Here! Take up to 37% off
,

Three Reasons Why I'm only Reading Self-Published Books in 2016

,

Can I be honest with you? I love books. All books. The fact that there are entire stores dedicated to housing these amazing word-holders kind of blows my mind. I mean, don't even get me started on libraries. 

But this year? My book-reading will take a narrowed focus. This year will be a year dedicated entirely to self-published books. Here's why.

1. TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AUTHORS

When I first created this blog, I had a very limited view of the publishing world. I thought that if I wanted to write books, I would need to spend hundreds of hours perfecting my query letter and spend years waiting for a literary agent. And getting a publishing deal? Might as well be decades. 

This reality was not exactly accurate for a couple of reasons: 

  • Traditional publishing doesn't necessarily take eons. It's part luck-of-the-draw, part talent-based. (I can only comment so much on this platform because *spoiler alert* I self-published.)

  • Self-publishing exists. And it's awesome. (You can find a list of resources on self-publishing here.)

This year, I self-published my first book called These Are the Moments. (You can read the first ten chapters fo' free over here. I need to stop having side conversations with parentheses.) I completely fell in love with the process and made incredible friends that were starting their writing journeys the same was that I was.

This year is a year I want to dedicate to my friends and their stories:

  • I want to help dispel some of the outlandish self-publishing myths.

  • I want to write reviews and cheer on the people who have come to mean so much to me, while making new friends along the way.

  • I want to drink coffee. (I think I lost my point here. I also forgot the stop the side conversations.)

2. TO CONNECT READERS TO NEW AUTHORS

Let's test a theory, shall we? Open a new tab and head on over to Pinterest. In the search bar, type in "best books to read." Now, scroll down until you see the same book twice.

I bet you didn't get very far, did you? I was halfway through my first scroll when I saw Gone Girl for the second time. What's wrong with this picture? In 2016, let's usher in a new wave of authors. Let's play matchmaker with little-known authors and bright-eyed readers.

This year, I'll be tracking my reading journey in a few places. You can keep up with me here:

  • Instagram. I love posting photos over here. This year, I'll promote these self-published books as I read them via pictures. And maybe a little bit of review, too.

  • Goodreads. I don't know how I read books before Goodreads. I love that I can track what I've read each year, while setting a goal for myself. Be my friend!

  • Twitter. Who am I kidding? I spend the majority of my life on Twitter. So you're bound to see updates over there.

3. TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS

If I only read self-published books in 2016, will the world dissolve into a book-less existence and I will be blamed for singly-handedly destroying the written language? Uhh, no. I don't expect anything drastic to come from this challenge, but I would like a few answers to questions I have:

  • What makes a book, well, a book? Do you need a movie deal in order to be considered successful? Do you have to sell 1,000,000 copies to be valid? (I know the answer to this, but only from personal experience. I want exposure to other people's journeys too, because I'm nosy.)

  • How do we encourage future writers? Is buying an author's book the best means of support? What does it take to be a true fan? (Again, I may know this answer.)

  • How many people can I get on board with this?

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN.

Reading challenges are fun, but they're way more fun when you have people to share in them.

Discussion Time: What books are on your to-be-read list for 2016? What are your thoughts on independent publishing?

Spring is Here! Take up to 37% off

15 Books You Probably Didn't Read in 2015

Can you believe that 2015 is almost over? If you're like me, you're trying to cram in as much book-reading as possible before the turn of the new year. I browse Pinterest for days, searching for the perfect books to read, and I discovered something quickly.

The same ten books keep showing up, over and over. Why not try a few different books for a change? Below, I've listed 15 books you probably didn't read in 2015, but absolutely should. If you have read these books, congratulations! We can be friends. (Links and details are below the infographic.)

Books You Probably Didn't Read in 2015 | Blots & Plots

Books You Probably Didn't Read in 2015 | Blots & Plots

Read on for book details!

Sweet Girl

Author Rachel Hollis runs a lifestyle blog called The Chic Site, and I'm a big fan of her Instagram. Her book Sweet Girl is about Max Jennings, a girl with hopeful dreams of being a pastry chef. She gets an amazing opportunity to work with world-famous Avis Phillips, and fun and romance ensues.

Finding Lily

I'm happy to call Rachel Del a friend of mine. She, like Rachel Hollis, has a killer Instagram game, and her blog, Big City Quiet is a must-read. Speaking of must-reads, her novel Finding Lily is perfection. This book follows Lily Gardner in the midst of a divorce from her husband, Thomas. It celebrates the idea of second chances, as we watch Lily pick up the pieces of her life.

These Are the Moments

Oh, hey! This looks familiar. My debut novel, These Are the Moments, released in May, and it's been an amazing experience so far! (I expect it to stay amazing. Don't read too much into that "so far.") These Are the Moments follows Wendy Lake and her relationship with on-again, off-again boyfriend Simon. It spans ten years of their relationship, back-and-forth through their tumultuous, yet exciting love story.

The Light Guardian

Meet my new friend Katie Sciortino! We recently met at our high school alma mater's career day, and found out we had so much in common. For instance, we both write books. Her first book, The Light Guardian, is a beautiful story about a young painter named Simon who receives a very special mission. This book is also illustrated beautifully.

Perfectly Imperfect

I recently discovered author Harper Sloan—and her insanely cool purple hair—and can't wait to get my hands on this book. Perfectly Imperfect is a standalone novel about self-image. It follows the main character Willow Tate, who struggles with body issues, and her love interest, Kane Masters. Swoon time! Bonus: Harper is a New York Times bestselling author. And did I mention the purple hair?

Now and Again

Another writer friend on the list! Jennifer Ellision has several amazing books in her repertoire, and I'm incredibly excited about this one. Now and Again is a book about the messy side of love. Em has never forgotten about Cole, even though she pushed him away years ago. Can they repair what might have been? I don't know, but I can't wait to find out.

The Art of Work

Jeff Goins hardly needs an introduction, but allow me to try. Jeff is the author or four books, including this year's popular non-fiction guide, The Art of Work. He's an empowering source of wisdom for all authors and makers, and his latest book is an amazing resource. Bored with your job? Want to live a meaningful, creative life? This book is right up your alley.

The Badlings

It's no secret how much I love Ksenia Anske. She was my biggest inspiration to self-publish my own book, and I'm happy to put her book on this list. The Badlings is an amazing concept. It follows the story of a group of children known as—you guessed it— Badlings, who abandon books before they finish them. Their punishment? Getting sucked into unfinished stories!

A Magic Dark and Bright

How can you not fall in love with this cover? Jenny Perinovic is not only an amazing writer, but a super cool friend of mine with amazing design skills. I am excited to share her book, A Magic Dark and Bright, with you. This is the first book in the Asylum Saga, and deals with ghosts and curses and death, oh my! (Too much? So sorry.) I recommend reading this book with the lights on, people.

Blood and Water

Oh, Briana Morgan. She is fabulous in every way. From her writing advice to her debut novel, she gets an A+ for the year 2015. Blood and Water is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a deadly virus runs rampant. Seventeen-year-old Jay Harris must fight to save both his sister... and himself. If you're looking for a sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat novel, grab yourself a copy of this.

Silent Memories

Hattie C. Cooper is a rising star. Along with her first novel, The Anxious Girl's Guide to Dating, her 2015 release is a gem. Silent Memories is the first book in The Sawmill Cove trilogy, which follows a mysterious murder in a small town. It'll take a village to solve this one, and forensic artist Ryan Hart is on the case. Scared yet? I know I am!

The Assassin

Speaking of people I love, meet Laura Teagan! She's another incredible writing resource, sharing great advice over on her blog, Ginger & Co. I met her on Twitter through our mutual love of writing and I'm proud to call her a friend. Her debut novel, The Assassin, is a kick-butt FBI novel. Cassie Morgan is set to investigate a rogue agent, but when things go awry, she winds up on the run from a serial killer known as The Assassin. How will she escape? We'll find out!

Kindling Volume II

I first discovered Writer's Edit Press through Twitter. On a whim, I decided to submit a story to their debut anthology, and I can still remember how excited I was when I was accepted. I'm thrilled to support their second anthology, Kindling Volume II. This book is filled with works of fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. I'm a big fan of short stories, and if you want to support an amazing press, make sure to add this to your TBR list.

Risen Gods

You probably know Joanna Penn from her award-winning writing blog, The Creative Penn. She's a Twitter fiend and a podcaster, a writer and a speaker. Basically, she's Wonder Woman. In addition to her wildly popular non-fiction books, she also writes thrillers, including her latest novel, Rising Gods. The Amazon tag line reads, "Can Ben and Lucy battle the Risen Gods to find each other again and save the country from destruction?" Well, I'm officially interested.

Invasion

I can't rave about Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant enough. Along with David W. Wright, they form The Self-Publishing Podcast crew, an incredibly content-filled podcast to teach you how to self-publish books... and make money from them. They have several book series, and I'm incredibly excited to dive into this new book, Invasion. Do you think it's about alien invasions? Well, you couldn't be more correct.

So what do you think? Did I miss any? 

*note: there are affiliate links in this post*

Spring is Here! Take up to 37% off

2015 Holiday Gifts for Readers

Scenario: the holidays are coming up. You ask the bookworm in your life what he/she wants for Christmas. They respond, "Surprise me!" What do you do? Well, you keep reading this post, that's what you do!

This year, I decided to round up a few of my favorite holiday gifts for readers, all featured on Etsy. Mom and Dad, if you're reading this, please feel free to pass this list onto Santa. Everyone else? Break out your credit cards.

2015 Holiday Gifts for Readers | Blots & Plots
2015 Holiday Gifts for Readers | Blots & Plots

So you liked what you saw, didn't you? I'm not surprised. That's a pretty crave-worthy list. Now, the links to the sites are below for you!

  1. Jane Austen Gift Set: includes journal, pocket journal, and pencil set.
  2. Time Machine Necktie. For the H.G. Wells fan in your life, you can't go wrong with this snazzy tie.
  3. Book Quote Art. So many books, so little time. No truer words have been spoken.
  4. The Catcher in the Rye Gift Set: includes coin purse, ornament, bookmark, and print.
  5. The Marauder's Map Harry Potter Scarf. I solemnly swear that I am up to no good and will wear this scarf everywhere.
  6. Sparkle & Shine Engraved Pencils. In case you're feeling inspired!
  7. Christmas in the Great Hall Soy Candle. Again, for the Harry Potter fans. Noticing a trend here?
  8. Ampersand Print Wall Art. As you can tell by my blog name, I'm a big ampersand fan. This is lovely!

So there you have it! This year's guide to holiday gifts for readers. Of course, you can always give lots and lots of books, as well. What are your holiday plans this year? What gifts are you hoping to get/give under your tree?

Spring is Here! Take up to 37% off