Lizzie Starr
Treasuring Creativity
One of the most endearing and lasting symbols of pirates is the treasure chest. And possibly, most of us visualize approximately the same thing when we hear ‘treasure chest’–a hump-topped chest, banded in iron or brass, secured with a huge, heavy lock with only one key.
When the chest is opened, we may find a cache of gold coins, a pile of jewels and necklaces it would take forever to untangle, or a pile of dust and dry bones… or nothing.
What is–or isn’t–in a pirate’s treasure chest is surely his inspiration for future pillaging and plunder.
Most writers I know have a file of ideas, either actual or virtual. (The files, not the ideas!) Many of us are discovering Pintrest, and create boards for all kinds of inspiration. Me? While I utilize them all, occasionally I become concerned over my odd assortment of newspaper articles, bits of interesting this and that on all kinds of
papers, some intriguing pictures, a piece of wood, a small stone… In other
words–a real mish mash of inspirational stuff.
papers, some intriguing pictures, a piece of wood, a small stone… In other
words–a real mish mash of inspirational stuff.
Sometimes the paper items actually do make it to a file. Going through this type of file can be just what you need to prompt a scene or a story. But, have you ever tried to keep a stone in a file folder?
Taking a clue from my piratical
friends, I’d like to suggest a treasure chest of your own, a wealth of ideas,
An inspiration box.
friends, I’d like to suggest a treasure chest of your own, a wealth of ideas,
An inspiration box.
Best of all, you create your own
inspiration box. Just as no one writes like you, sees the world just like you
do or finds the same inspiration in the same items as you, everyone’s box will
be different, too.
inspiration box. Just as no one writes like you, sees the world just like you
do or finds the same inspiration in the same items as you, everyone’s box will
be different, too.
So, find a box or container that calls to the creative you. It could be the box left over from buying file folders. Or a cool paper mache container from the craft store, or–how about this–an old manuscript mailing box!
Decorate your box. This is a great chance to use pictures, colors, words and symbols that inspire you. Use paint, paper, fabric, ribbons, collage, game pieces, charms, pirate booty–uh treasure. The list of possibilities is endless. This act of creativity will enhance your writing, too!
You can completely cover your inspiration box, or leave it partially unfinished and add to it whenever you discover new inspirations. The choice is yours.
Place your new inspiration box where the magnificence of your creation is visible to you. Fill your inspiration box with treasures. Toss in anything that sparks your thoughts, your ideas, your muse. Three items of three hundred. It doesn’t matter.
When you need inspiration, take out your treasure. Like the pirate gloating over his jewels (arr, ye know what I mean), sift through your ideas and inspiration. Hold them up to the light and remember what made each one special or why you put it into safe keeping. Play with your inspiration, and your imagination will join the game. Not keeping these bits and pieces in a formal file can be freeing, both to you and your inspirations.
The inspiration for *lizzie’s latest release came from many, many places, from an exotic dancer’s stage to a flower filled glade, Wild Keltic Carouselle has it all.
Just when Bryce decides
to give up looking for the masked dancer who captured his heart and get on with
his life, his darlin’ daughter climbs onto the lap of a captivating woman in a
coffee shop and calls her Mommy. He certainly wouldn’t mind exploring the
possibility.Carrie’s vacation is over. Although she loves her job, she dreads returning.
Especially when a blonde-haired cherub insists she’s ‘Mommy’. Add the girl’s
intriguing father, and Carrie believes she’s finally ready for a real
relationship. But memories of a horrific attack surface, bringing doubt and
fear.Then one of Bryce’s fathers is kidnapped by a cult. Not knowing if the
abduction was of human or Fey origin, Bryce must chance seeming crazy and
losing Carrie with tales of the Faerie Otherworld. Dare he take her to Faerie
and declare his love—or are the forces aligning against them too much to
overcome?
to give up looking for the masked dancer who captured his heart and get on with
his life, his darlin’ daughter climbs onto the lap of a captivating woman in a
coffee shop and calls her Mommy. He certainly wouldn’t mind exploring the
possibility.Carrie’s vacation is over. Although she loves her job, she dreads returning.
Especially when a blonde-haired cherub insists she’s ‘Mommy’. Add the girl’s
intriguing father, and Carrie believes she’s finally ready for a real
relationship. But memories of a horrific attack surface, bringing doubt and
fear.Then one of Bryce’s fathers is kidnapped by a cult. Not knowing if the
abduction was of human or Fey origin, Bryce must chance seeming crazy and
losing Carrie with tales of the Faerie Otherworld. Dare he take her to Faerie
and declare his love—or are the forces aligning against them too much to
overcome?
Find this, and The Double Keltic Triad books One through Three at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.
*lizzie made up games and stories to keep her company as a
child. So, a witch lived in Grampa’s weather research station and was only held
at bay by a certain weed. An ancient road grader became a boat carrying wild
adventurers to islands filled with sheep that turned into lions and cannibals.
child. So, a witch lived in Grampa’s weather research station and was only held
at bay by a certain weed. An ancient road grader became a boat carrying wild
adventurers to islands filled with sheep that turned into lions and cannibals.
Now, the stories of her imagination are
beginning to find their way to paper and pixels. Filled with fantasy and love,
these tales take her far from the mundane world.
beginning to find their way to paper and pixels. Filled with fantasy and love,
these tales take her far from the mundane world.
When *lizzie has to return to that mundane
life, she’s *the Lunch Lady* at a private school. Happily, those who know
*lizzie have become accustomed to her writer’s ways and just shake their heads
when she goes off on some fantastical tangent, asks strange what if
questions, or just has to find a piece of paper and a pen that actually writes.
One of her greatest delights is to watch the joy of writing fill a friend, and
she’ll do anything to help them achieve their dream.
life, she’s *the Lunch Lady* at a private school. Happily, those who know
*lizzie have become accustomed to her writer’s ways and just shake their heads
when she goes off on some fantastical tangent, asks strange what if
questions, or just has to find a piece of paper and a pen that actually writes.
One of her greatest delights is to watch the joy of writing fill a friend, and
she’ll do anything to help them achieve their dream.
*lizzie adores hearing what you
think about her tales. You can visit her blogs at http://starrwords.blogspot.com and http://creativityforhappyendings.blogspot.com,
think about her tales. You can visit her blogs at http://starrwords.blogspot.com and http://creativityforhappyendings.blogspot.com,
@AngelaKayAustin
April 30th, 2012 at 9:04 am
A treasure chest is a great (and creative) idea. I have a big fat binder with plastic sleeves filled with all kinds of papers and clippings. It’s not very neat, but I do look through every so often for inspiration.
xoxo
April 30th, 2012 at 10:38 am
I have a great inspiration box. It’s a heart-shaped box a critique partner gave me. Said it was a keepsakes box. She said she hoped I could find some “sakes” to keep in it. It’s about half full of ribbons, rocks, shells and other stuff, stuff that holds memories and ideas. Yep I have the binders full of papers and notes, but the rocks have to have someplace to hide, until I’m ready to write about them.
Connie
April 30th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
What a cool idea, *lizzie! I use folders on my computer to track ideas, but I love the idea of a personal treasure chest.