Tag Archives: creativity

Looking Backwards

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

I’m not one for nostalgia. I don’t view the past with some hazy golden glow. I remember all too well the struggles, heartbreaks and hard work of my younger years. Besides, I’m happy now, so the past holds little attraction … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, nostalgia, success, the writing life, writers, writing | 2 Comments

Roughing It

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

In my last post, I talked a bit about how we get ideas. But getting the idea is worthless if we immediately lose its essence. We have to capture not just the idea, but its context. Many writers talk about … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, ideas, the writing life, writers, writing | 2 Comments

The Least I Can Do

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

Writing can be overwhelming. It’s like any other huge job. Getting a college or advanced degree. Cleaning out the garage. Getting your affairs in order, for when you die. All the advice books tell you to break it all down … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, blog posts, blogging, creativity, essays, getting started, ideas, novels, productivity, short stories, the writing life, writers, writing | 6 Comments

Distraction Subtraction

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

“A definite purpose, like blinders on a horse, inevitably narrows its possessor’s point of view.” Robert Frost Horses have their eyes on the sides of the heads. They wear blinders to keep them focused on the task at hand, and not startled … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, distractions, focus, goals, quotes, resources, Robert Frost, the writing life, writers, writing | 5 Comments

Process: The Short Story

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

I can only speak about how it works for me. I am impelled to start a story in several ways. The first way is that a story just springs to mind, something I have to write, or perhaps a character … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged anthologies, authors, creativity, getting started, ideas, process, productivity, publishing, resources, short stories, the writing life, writers, writing, writing the first draft | 8 Comments

Note to Self: Stop Talking

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

To myself, I mean. Or rather, more specifically, stop the mental negative self-talk that doesn’t help and only makes me miserable. Stop saying I have no ideas. Stop saying I have no time. Stop saying my work is too quirky to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, getting started, ideas, negative thoughts, performance, positive thinking, productivity, self-talk, the writing life, writers, writing | 11 Comments

The Simplest Cure

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

Yesterday my life was awful. I felt discouraged, stuck, overwhelmed and unlovable. Yet, nothing had changed from the day before, when everything was fine. Today, I’m upbeat, tackling chores and creative projects with verve, hope and confidence. Nothing in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, ideas, productivity, publishing, the writing life, writing | 4 Comments

A Clean Slate

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Lida Bushloper

I got my last rejection of the year a few days ago. It was kind of refreshing. Everything else I had submitted had either been rejected or accepted. Now I can start a fresh batch of submissions from scratch. Sort … Continue reading →

Posted in publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged authors, creativity, ideas, New Year, the writing life, writing | 6 Comments

Pain

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Lida Bushloper

Everyone who lives suffers, physically, emotionally, mentally. At least at some point in his or her life. But artists suffer pain that’s unique to us. If we are not creating, we are hurting. If we are not creating, it feels like … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, writing | Tagged advice, authors, creativity, friends, ideas, performance, productivity, the writing life, writing | 4 Comments

Sine Qua Non

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Lida Bushloper

There was a time when, like many folks starting out in life, I was struggling. Working multiple jobs, trying to get more education, fighting to keep the first home I had bought on my own. I was determined to hang … Continue reading →