I got a perm

I’ve had a goal, unrelated to writing, for a while now. I want to grow my hair out, just to see what it’s like. Who knows maybe I could be one of those guys who can pull off the man bun. Every time, I get to this point where I have a couple bad hair days in a row, then I give in and have my wife cut it. She does a great job, but instantly I think about growing my hair out again. 

A while ago, and again this last week, I had my wife give me a perm. Not a full on, semi permanent, chemical perm. Just a water perm that lasts for a couple days. 

It looked kind of like this guy.

Did it look great? No, not really. But it’s fun, and different, and ultimately it gave me a little reset with my hair growing goal. Spicing up the hairdo helped me lose the desire to cut my hair. Sometimes that’s a perm, a ponytail, or even a braid.

Almost no one is a fan of me growing my hair out, but it’s not their goal, it’s mine.

So What…

I promise there is a point to me telling you about my ridiculous hair choices, and here it is.

I’ve harped on this before, but for so many people, writing a book is HARD. Sometimes it can even be tedious. So tedious in fact that you might set it down and go do something a little easier and fun. Next thing you know, it’s been three months, six months, a year, and your book is still sitting there unfinished.  

My suggestion to you, curl it into a perm. Not really. But what I mean is mix your writing up. 

Here are two simple suggestions you can try for those times when your story writing has hit a lull and the enjoyment is fading. 

Start a second story.

This isn’t supposed to replace your first story. I’ve done that too many times. This second story is there for when you need to take a break. Your creativity might be stuck when it comes to your main story, but by changing your focus, the creative juices can start flowing. 

More often than not, when I’m working on my second story/writing project, I think of an idea or solution that helps me move forward on my main story. 

If you’re afraid you’ll fall in love with your second story and forever leave behind your main project, try writing prompts instead.

Writing Prompts

I especially like using writing prompts because I can find one that focuses on the specific area I’m struggling with. Whether it’s dialogue, scene building, general creativity. There are a million and a half writing prompts on Pinterest alone. 

Whatever you do, keep writing, keep reading, and make sure you’re living life among the words. 

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Here’s one writing prompt that I did the other day. 

My Story

Write a one page story using these 5 words. Cactus, Cauldron, Rain Cloud, Octopus/Kraken, Cave

As the sun fades from a glowing orb to a tiny sliver of light just peeking above the edge of the horizon, a full moon rises, casting its silver light on the rippling water of the ocean. Tugging on the tide of the ocean as the moon rises higher and higher in the night sky. Large, dark, rain clouds billow up from the east and roll across the sky until all the light from the moon is obscured. 

Although divided from the earth by the violent storm clouds, the pull of the moon is no weaker on the ocean, tugging at the water, causing a tremor through the sea. 

Hundreds of miles off the coast, down through the waves, miles below the surface lay a cave. Seemingly carved out of the side of the deepest trench by… continue reading..

Quote

“I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” -Shannon Hale-

More Words

• Book recommendations: Circle of Magic Quartet – Sandry’s Book – Tamora Pierce 
• Writing Development: Here’s a huge list of facial expressions to beef up your writing. (Smile!)