Where do you find your Inspiration???
For years, I wrote down my ideas and worked on my outlines and rough drafts, but that was all. I looked down and had dozens of both, but unless I wanted to build another room to house my ideas, I needed to finish this and edit that. It was a moment of ‘omg, where do I start…’ and I didn’t have a clue. Then I saw something on twitter about National Writers Month (#NaNoWriMo). The organization is great. They have the main event in Nov. for #NaNoWriMo, and camp comes in july (#campnanowrimo) … I think there is even a month dedicated to the junior wordmonger.
But what do you need, what do you get out of it, and why should you bother???
hummmm…
Hey, this may be camp, but that doesn’t mean you have to go outdoors. I mean, l love nature and all the beautiful landscapes that are available … but … bugs. I said it, bugs. I am too old to fight off bugs, use natures outhouse (or even a camp restroom), and sleep on the hard unforgiving ground.
Even those lovely foldout beds, that can be put into place with the ease of a lawn chair, is a no-go for this Kentucky gal. I want to ride the horses, wade in the stream, take some amazing photos … and then go home. So indoor camp is it for me. Plus, s’mores can be made anywhere. yummmm. A bottle of wine, a bag of goodies, and some upclass camp junk food. Dang, now I’m hungry.
But camp isn’t about the food, or the bedding. It’s about the people. I am still friends with the first two women I met at camp, a Canadian word-lover and an Ohio wordsmith.Ā We still get on Facebook to chat, trash talk, and when needed …Ā we support each other in our current projects. So the inspiration you can find at CampNaNoWriMo, or one of the similar online get togethers, is something that you can take with you. Something that you can depend on throughout the year, not just the month that you bust your arse to reach that 50k word goal line. Even if you never reach 50k words, the connections and friends are important.
But just because I enjoy my comforts (the bed is sooo not mine), don’t think I miss out on the wildlife… say hello to Froggy Assassin in the picture below …..
Writing is a solitary event for the most part. But every once in a while it is good to get out of you writer’s cave, take a look around, and stretch your legs. We have to go out in the world in order to keep the ideas and voices flowing. Stroll through the local fruit market, wonder around the towns surrounding chosen vacation spot, or my favorite outdoor activity … stop at a random exit. When I’m coming home from some roadtrip or out of town necessity, I watch the signs that promote the attractions for the upcoming exits. My last trip ended with a stop along the Ky-Tn border. Mom and I stopped for lunch at this little outdoor museum. They had houses from the old days, and lots of animals walking around. The little store had some of the crafts from the area, and the back of the store housed a little deli with homemade goodies. We had some of the best cobbler I have ever tasted, and I’m not normally a cobbler lover.
In essences, inspirations can be found anywhere. Indoors and out, you just need to be open to trying something new. You can tackle the word sprints with your NaNoWriMo camp mates, or soak up the off the beaten path attractions. Just have fun, and then write it down… š … Happy Wordage, Tracey Clark
Here are some of the photos from my off the beaten path stop…
Finder's Keepers - Author Tracey Clark 
we make so many friends on wordpress! likeminded friends rarely available in outside world.
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I so agree… and the writing community is greater than what I have at my back door… more diverse
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heyā¦ my publisher is planning a blog tourā¦ if you are interested, or know anyone that would want to be one of the stops, just let me knowā¦ or contact Mary at gonewritingpublishing@gmail.com ā¦ with the subject āblog tourā ā¦ I could also use some sage advice hereā¦ this will be my first, have no idea what will happenā¦ lol ā¦ but Iām excitedā¦
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I have participated in the November NaNo since 2007 and love it! It’s wonderful to meet up with others with like interests. I thought it was great what you said about having an Ohio friend and a Canadian buddy as well, because 2 of my closest writing friends are from Ohio and Canada. (Although I’m in Florida) However, my parents met in Harlan, KY. š I agree with what you say in your blog blurb. Have to keep the voices happy. Good luck with your writing!
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I love the nano’s. Had to force myself to start using them for edits this time. Nano over the last two years or so has come with so much inspiration and left me with enough edit to drown in. š
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I’m one of those people who reads through and edits as I go. I know you aren’t “supposed to” with NaNo, but I can’t finish a story if I don’t make corrections as I go. Not that they need much, but if the story line goes haywire, I have to bring it on track. I always finish early, so that isn’t an issue.
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I’m actually dyslexic. It’s mild and more of an annoyance these days. But that means I know I will have to edit a million times and have or here take a look for transposed words. Lol.
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That’s got to be tiring. Time to hire an editor.
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it can be… I have to remind myself to go slow.. the faster I try to read through, the more words start to act up š happy wordage
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Thanks, you too!
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hey girl… I added you to my blogger award list… I decided to spice mine up with pictures.. lol… but wanted to let you know š
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Thank you so much!
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Hi, TL, I do love your site! Come over to rhymesandreason.com to visit. I’m just getting started. ME Shortridge
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hey… love to visit.. hope to have very exciting news to share with you and the others soon… you guys were so fun to hang out with.. right now, I cant seem to click on your site… when I click on your name, I am taken to the page that say sorry cant find
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heyā¦ my publisher is planning a blog tourā¦ if you are interested, or know anyone that would want to be one of the stops, just let me knowā¦ or contact Mary at gonewritingpublishing@gmail.com ā¦ with the subject āblog tourā ā¦ I could also use some sage advice hereā¦ this will be my first, have no idea what will happenā¦ lol ā¦ but Iām excitedā¦ how are your wordage projects going???
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I think change is the key component. Whether is a new direction in a stagnant idea or a change of scenery (as simple as changing rooms), creative juices tend to be fueled by novelty. At least that’s how it works for me. I tried the nano writing challenge at home and that on itself sparked a bunch of inspiration.
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heyā¦ my publisher is planning a blog tourā¦ if you are interested, or know anyone that would want to be one of the stops, just let me knowā¦ or contact Mary at gonewritingpublishing@gmail.com ā¦ with the subject āblog tourā ā¦ I could also use some sage advice hereā¦ this will be my first, have no idea what will happenā¦ lol ā¦ but Iām excitedā¦
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The blog tour sounds exciting! I think the best advice I could give you is to enjoy the process. I know it’s not the ‘best’ advice but, the people you’ll meet with definitely be responding to your energy, so the more into it you are, the more they will be. I’m sure it will be a fantastic experience.
I’m definitely interested. Should I reach out to Mary or should telling you suffice? š
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thanks… reaching out to Mary would be better… I am buzzing with excitement but really I don’t have a clue what I’m doing… lol… I am following her lead… š
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Perfect, will do! Thanks for letting me know!
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