{"id":209,"date":"2009-12-14T23:04:00","date_gmt":"2009-12-14T23:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/ways-to-nurture-your-writing-spirit\/"},"modified":"2013-08-06T13:02:31","modified_gmt":"2013-08-06T13:02:31","slug":"ways-to-nurture-your-writing-spirit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/?p=209","title":{"rendered":"Ways to Nurture Your Writing Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><a href=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/SybDJNBKnFI\/AAAAAAAAAFU\/RkxwZ7oX0YA\/s1600\/Wreath_small.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/SybDJNBKnFI\/AAAAAAAAAFU\/RkxwZ7oX0YA\/s200\/Wreath_small.jpg\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>With the holidays fast approaching, it\u2019s an ideal time to carve out some \u201c<i>you time<\/i>\u201d \u2013 to recharge and renew your creative spark \u2013 especially for those of us who earn our living through the written word. Here are a few ways to renew your writing spirit, even in the midst of all the holiday hoopla:<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<b>Read for joy<\/b>.\u00a0 There\u2019s nothing more relaxing on a cold winter\u2019s night than to curl up in a favorite reading chair, sip on some hot chocolate and open a favorite book. Pick something fun, fanciful or fast-paced that can transport you somewhere else \u2013 it\u2019s a trip well worth taking. My only caution is to avoid continuing to read to the point of sleep deprivation \u2013 the better the book, the more likely you will avoid sleep to enjoy the next chapter.\u00a0Below are some great \u201creads\u201d from my bookshelf:<\/p>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/Sya-gDiC4FI\/AAAAAAAAAE0\/pTAEQ_LKBbg\/s1600\/KillerAngels.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/Sya-gDiC4FI\/AAAAAAAAAE0\/pTAEQ_LKBbg\/s200\/KillerAngels.jpg\" width=\"132\" height=\"200\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<ul type=\"circle\">\n<li><i><span><span><span><i>The Killer Angels &#8212; by Michael Shaara<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span><span><span><i>The Joy Luck Club\u00a0<span>\u2013 by Amy Tan<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span><span><span><i><span><i>The Hot Zone <\/i>\u2013 by\u00a0 Richard Preston<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>Seabiscuit <\/i>\u2013 by Laura Hillenbrand<\/li>\n<li><i>The Five People You Meet in Heaven <\/i>\u2013 by Mitch Albom<\/li>\n<li><i>\u00a0A Farewell to Arms<\/i> \u2013 by Ernest Hemingway<\/li>\n<li><i>The Four Witnesses<\/i> \u2013 by Robin Griffith-Jones<\/li>\n<li>Anything by Jane Austen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/Sya9dj_U0jI\/AAAAAAAAAEk\/N71l4HqF_Wc\/s1600\/Rains.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/Sya9dj_U0jI\/AAAAAAAAAEk\/N71l4HqF_Wc\/s320\/Rains.jpg\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p><b>\u201cHear\u201d a really good movie.<\/b> Ever watched a movie and fell in love withthe dialogue and writing?\u00a0 You know you\u2019ve experienced an exceptionally written film whenthe words are still with you long afterthe ending credits.\u00a0 A perfect example is my all-time favorite movie,the 1942 WWII classic, \u201cCasablanca.\u201d These classic lines penned bythe Epstein brothers between Humphrey Bogart\u2019s character, Rick, and London actor Claude Rains\u2019 Captain Renault still make me smile:<\/p>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/Sya9Pys68KI\/AAAAAAAAAEc\/Z90Y8eTAR40\/s1600\/Casablanca.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/Sya9Pys68KI\/AAAAAAAAAEc\/Z90Y8eTAR40\/s200\/Casablanca.jpg\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><b><span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0001647\/\"><span>Captain Renault<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/b><span>: In 1935, you ran guns to Ethiopia. In 1936, you fought in Spain, on the Loyalist side.<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0000007\/\"><span>Rick<\/span><\/a><\/b>: I got well paid for it on both occasions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><span><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0001647\/\"><span>Captain Renault<\/span><\/a><\/b>: The *winning* side would have paid you *much better*.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div align=\"center\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/post-edit.g?blogID=1814647056365826554&amp;postID=3547129110550018532\" name=\"qt0429931\"><\/a><b><span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0001647\/\"><span>Captain Renault<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/b><span>: Rick, there are many exit visas sold in this caf\u00e9, but we know that *you&#8217;ve* never sold one. That is the reason we permit you to remain open.<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span><br \/>\n<b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0000007\/\"><span>Rick<\/span><\/a><\/b>: Oh? I thought it was because I let you win at roulette.<br \/>\n<b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0001647\/\"><span>Captain Renault<\/span><\/a><\/b>: That is *ano ther* reason.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div><b><span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0001647\/\"><span>Captain Renault<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/b><span>: What in heaven&#8217;s name brought you to Casablanca?<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span><br \/>\n<b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0000007\/\"><span>Rick<\/span><\/a><\/b>: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.<br \/>\n<b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0001647\/\"><span>Captain Renault<\/span><\/a><\/b>: The waters? What waters? We&#8217;re in the desert.<br \/>\n<b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0000007\/\"><span>Rick<\/span><\/a><\/b>: I was misinformed.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div align=\"center\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/Sya_W3Af_JI\/AAAAAAAAAE8\/Ilde_00eCgo\/s1600\/LettersfromtheFront.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/Sya_W3Af_JI\/AAAAAAAAAE8\/Ilde_00eCgo\/s200\/LettersfromtheFront.jpeg\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Write a poem or letter to a loved one.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>Wanting to reconnect<b> <\/b>to a loved one? There is no better way than through a heartfelt sentiment captured through prose. Take a moment to write a poem inspired from\u00a0 the sights and smells of the season&#8230;or write a homecoming letter. Letters have particular significance to soldiers serving far from home during this time of year.\u00a0 You only have to read some of the sentiments of\u00a0soldiers in \u201cLetters from the Front\u201d at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.letters-from-the-front.com\/\">http:\/\/www.letters-from-the-front.com\/<\/a> to find that universal truth. Their letters of loss, suffering, homesickness and thankfulness ring true, from the\u00a0Revolutionary War to modern-day conflicts in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan.<br \/>\n<b>Storytell with a child.<\/b> There\u2019s nothing more magical than capturingthe joy of storytelling withthe young. It\u2019sthe ultimate recharger of my spirit to take my own preschool-aged kids on a magic journey throughtheir imaginations.\u00a0 This type of creative exercise nurturestheir creativity and inspires a love for storytelling (both from others andtheir own). It can start with a favorite story or even everyday activities.\u00a0 The key is to take turns tellingthe story \u2013 adding rich details leading to a climactic moment and hopefully (with your influence) a subtle life lesson. Here\u2019s one storytelling jump starter to try:<\/p>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/SybAgFpY2LI\/AAAAAAAAAFE\/1z893-MITlk\/s1600\/Yoda.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger\/_96QEPvIqn6U\/SybAgFpY2LI\/AAAAAAAAAFE\/1z893-MITlk\/s320\/Yoda.jpg\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div>During bath time, imagine that the tub is transporting your youngster to a magical place\u2026Where are they headed? What adventures do they embark upon? My son\u2019s favorite tub-driven destinations: the Atlanta Braves stadium to hit the game-winning homerun and to Yoda\u2019s home planet for an out-of-this-world sleepover with Yoda and his crinkly faced twin bro ther and sister.\u00a0 When it comes to the imaginations of children, the galaxy is truly the limit!<\/div>\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0 With the holidays fast approaching, it\u2019s an ideal time to carve out some \u201cyou time\u201d \u2013 to recharge and renew your creative spark \u2013 especially for those of us<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[379,395],"tags":[655],"class_list":["post-209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-reviews","category-inspiration","tag-joy-of-reading"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=209"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":822,"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209\/revisions\/822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/anne.myupcomingsite.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}