Im not sure about you, but I love writing. Something about it just helps my brain to settle and concentrate- when I am upset or confused or sad or overwhelmed writing helps me to get out of my head and figure out my problems. Ever since I was little, I used to love to write short stories, poetry, and in a diary. And to be honest, I was actually quite creative and came up with some cool stories, even if my spelling was terrible. I love looking back at them now and seeing how I thought, and what I was feeling. But when I hit high school, I started having to write things I wasn’t interested in. I took english, history and classical studies and hated them – not because I didn’t like the subjects, I love writing and anything to do with history, but because the way they were taught were so suppressing. There was so much memorisation, and so much analysation, pulling things out of texts that were not even there, writing things that the essay markers would like instead of what you like or resonated with. And I had one fabulous teacher, but I struggled to learn from most of them. After so many afternoons forcing myself to write, I completely lost touch with all the writing I loved to do, for quite a while. But recently I started writing poetry again, writing a journal, blogging, and also reading more, for fun. And I am remembering how much I love to read and write, and how much it helps me! I know that I will also be able to look back on the things that I write, and it will be like a time capsule where I remember precious memories from my past through words. Also, words are powerful, and they can change lives. So I want to show you, whether you have lost your love for literature, or if you have always been forced to read and write and hated it, some simple ways to find joy in in it again. Trust me, it’s worth it!
First of all, make sure you feed your creativity with reading. Some people hate it and some people love it, but once you realise it’s your choice and you get to read, that it is a privilege, and you have the right books, it is really fun and quite addictive- but so much better for your brain than scrolling!! Here are some of my favourite books:
The Bible of course! As well as being the living word of God, it really has everything. Poetry, storytelling, letters, and so much more- I dare you to read the Psalms and not want to write poetry!
L M Montgomery books (Anne of Green Gables series)
Francine Rivers books (Christian romance)
Chuck Black series (spiritual warfare)
Helen Moss Secrets of the Tombs or Adventure island series (teen adventure)
Caroline Lawrence Roman Mysteries (historical fiction)
Also, if you really struggle with reading, audio books are great, and you can also listen to them while going for walks, cleaning, cooking or doing whatever you like. You can get Audible subscription for a very reasonable price and has almost every book I know of, or some library cards in Aus and NZ are eligible for Hoopla, which is free.
Once you are reading things that you like and enjoy, you are well on your way. Next it’s time to get writing!
First of all- and this might sound cheesy but it really helps me- I always feel way more motivated to do things when they are beautiful. Make sure you are comfortable, go outside or spread a table cloth or light a candle to create write atmosphere. You don’t have to do this- you can write wherever you are, but I think it does make it more fun. I also love having beautiful notebooks to write in, and then they also become like diaries where all your writing is kept together, safe in one place. You can get these at Kmart or a stationary shop, or here are some great ones from Amazon:
Writing Ideas
Journal– try to write something every day, even if it is small. Try writing about your day, people around you, thoughts, feelings, observations- anything, and you never have to show anyone.
Letters– choose a friend to become a pen friend, or write a letter to your older or younger self. It is really fun to open a letter that you wrote one, two, five or ten years ago to yourself!
Interview someone– do you know someone with an interesting life, or who you admire, or who you just want to know better? Ask them for an interview, and prepare questions to ask them.
Recipes– do you love to cook? Start compiling all your recipes into a book that you can share with others! You could even turn it into a blog.
Travel blog– are you going on a trip? Try recording it through writing. You can also add all your trip photos! It will become a precious memory.
Describe a moment in detail– This can be used a writing exercise, but I hate writing exercises, so I just call it writing. Choose a moment from your day, or a beautiful place or a feeling, and describe it in as much detail, with as much description as you can.
Poetry- There’s so much you can do here! You could try a Haiku a day, or experiment with rhyming poems, or even just describe a thought or feeling with line breaks, and it becomes poetry. You can do just a little bit each day, or once a week, and soon your journal will be filled up with unique thoughts and feelings.
Short stories- If you have a little more time, these are great. It can be hard to find ideas though, so here are some topics and story starters….
• Two characters from your two favourite movies in different genres meet
• Write an alternative ending to a book or movie
• Write a story from the perspective of an object- what do they know that you don’t? how do they think and feel about life?
• A well known story, or section of a story, but in a different time period
• A story centring around a landscape, a fruit, and an item of clothing
First lines:
• I’ll never forget the day….
• When I heard her reply, I slapped her.
• Of all the creatures I could come face to face with, …..
• I said no, but not for the reason you think.
• I was there when….
I hope you enjoy these things! I’m so excited that you will be creating something amazing with just your thoughts, pen and paper. the possibilities are endless!!
~Hannah xoxo
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