As far back as I can remember I have always been somewhat of a creative. I can remember being in the third grade and the teacher reading us books. As she read I had the picture in my mind of what was going on in the story. I could visualize every scene and I could even almost put myself there as if I was teleporting. Even though I know I wasn’t but my imagination was very good. I can remember being able to sit down and write stories that would draw my class-mates and even my teacher in. My teacher used to tell me to keep writing that I had a gift that someday was going to take me somewhere. As a child I used to sit and read books that were above my education level. Books that my mom was amazed I would be reading. I can remember reading books by Billy Graham, Dr James Dobson and Max Lucado at an early age. By the time I was 13 I had read the entire bible from cover to cover and even wrote paragraphs on each chapter and what they meant to me. I am by no means trying to paint myself as perfect or even as a good kid (I got in my share of trouble). As I got older however I have lost that creative side of me. I guess I got lazy and just stopped writing and even stopped reading. A couple of years ago I started to feel that pull in me, the creative in me wanting to come out. I realized a dream I had long forgotten. I had a story to tell and I wanted to write a book. From time to time over the years I would write that story but I never put it on the front of my list. I never nurtured that dream, in a matter of speaking I never cared enough about it to do so. About two years ago I found myself with this burning desire to get back the dream I had long lost. And to accomplish the dream of being a published Author. So here is what I did to do so:
I started this blog- This was my first step (though it may not be yours). Even though I have not been steady with posting on here. I started it just to see what it was like and to learn.What I have learned is that being steady is the only way to gain readers and to improve. I have also found that as others read my posts they see things that need to be corrected and/or written differently. I started to ask my friends to read my blog and they have helped me immensely by calling me or emailing me about things that they see.
I began to read more- reading is critical and crucial for a writer. Reading teaches proper sentence structure and grammar. I have also found that reading will even teach you to write in different ways. Also reading helps generate creativity and gets me in the writing spirit.
I made connections- I started generating friendships with people who blog and write for a living. People like Jeff Goins, Michael Hyatt, Kenny Silva, Jason Wilson, Chris Queen, Pete Wilson, Jon Acuff and many many more. I started following them on twitter (I started to read their blogs, books and ebooks) and asking them questions and even a time or two emailing or sending them a link to my blog and asking them for advice. I know these guys are very busy with their own projects but I have found that the writing community is more than willing to lend a hand or take time to teach and/or guide a fellow writer. (you can check out all of their blogs in my friends of Matthew section)
Moved out of my comfort zone- When I first started this blog I didn’t want anyone to see it (I know it sounds stupid as this is the internet) but it’s true. I thought as long as nobody saw it I could just write and I’d have nothing to worry about. I was afraid of being laughed at and made fun of. I was afraid that I was fooling myself to think I could actually be not just a writer but a good one. What I found is that as I step out of my comfort zone not only do I get better but I become more accepted in the community. And when I need help or direction it’s there and not the ridiculing I expected. I have also emailed a link to most of my family and friends and invited them to check it out, the support has been amazing.
Here is what I’ve learned (the creativity is like a garden portion):
If you don’t use it, you loose it- if you plant seeds and walk away they will not grow. There will be no garden it will be over ran with weeds there will be no production. Just like when I hadn’t followed through or kept writing. I all but forgot about it, that part of me had been over ran with weeds and I feel like I’ve had to work very hard to get it back (harder than if I had never stopped).
You must nurture your creativity- just like gardening you must nurture your creativity and writing. You must practice and then practice even more. You must write even when you don’t feel like writing any more. You must work on your technique and fine-tune your craft. Just like taking the time to pull the weeds from a garden. If you don’t the weeds will over run the garden and suffocate it. Not writing or working on your craft will do the same.
You must water your creativity- getting others to read your writing or looking at your creative project helps you grow and that creativity. Getting people to give you feedback whether to improve or approve of your creative project, causes you to mature that creativity and helps you grow and just simply encourages you to keep going. Like watering a garden is vital for it to grow and produce.
The finished product is beautiful- When you take the time to pluck the weeds, give your garden the right the right amount of sunlight and shade, water your garden and nurture it and you stand back and look at the finished product. It is a beautiful sight. You are amazed at what you were able to grow and produce you feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. The same is true in writing or creating. You look at what you have created as you publish it or put it on display or even play it on the radio. Like the garden it has been your baby, your project. And before you know it your project is complete and you are ready to show the world.
I still haven’t written the book, that will come in time. I am not going to give up on it. In the mean time I will work on my creativity, I will practice, grow, learn and improve. I will nurture my craft and I will follow through. Please Subscribe to my blog and get instant notifications of my posts.
How do you think this post may help you and encourage you in your craft and creativity? What do you compare to help you keep going and to motivate you? Let me know in my Comments section.
