How do we remain creative in a world full of Pinterest boards and beautiful Instagram accounts? It’s true, whether you’re a writer, illustrator or doctor, you have the ache for creativity. We all do. Even my Air Traffic Controller husband gets excited when he sees a fresh new box of crayons.
I hear to get better at something, you must practice, everyday. I’m a writer. I actually have a degree in writing, oh yeah, my parents put me through college to become a write. Whaaaaa!? I hear you doctors, I hear your chuckles.
My goal is to provide interesting, exciting, refreshing and fulfilling children’s books. I was sitting at my desk one day with a blank piece of paper, pen in hand and determination to write a great story. My mind was empty. There was a small red cursor, blinking constantly behind my eyes. Ok established authors, where did you get your book ideas? How in the world did you come up with the idea to have a dragon pop out of a kids mailbox, or send a bear on a multiple page hunt for his hat? (Those are best sellers by the way).I decided I needed to write everyday, not only to practice my skill, but to keep that creative bug nourished. That’s when I created the 20 Minute Creativity Journal. I encourage EVERYONE to make a creativity journal. Everyone from rocket scientists to authors need to nourish that creative bug. It’s incredibly refreshing and changes your outlook on the day. You begin looking at everyday items with zest and purpose.
The 20 Minute Creativity Journal
What You Need:
- Blank journal, size does not matterPens4x6 EnvelopeTapeScissorsList of Words & Phrases (I provide a list at the bottom of this entry)
Assembly:
- Tape the envelope on the inside of the back cover, the flap should be facing up.
- Cut the words & phrases from the printout into little strips.
- Place the strips into the envelope and close the flap (don’t seal it, just close it)
Directions:
Once a day, grab your journal and a pen and head to a quiet place. Leave your cell phone, ipad, laptop, computer, ok, if it has wifi, leave it. This is an exercise for your brain. With your eyes closed, pick a slip of paper out of the envelope (no returning, what you grab is your assignment). Spend the next 20 minutes writing a short story on that topic. It can be a poem, children’s story, YA, sci fi, etc. For the artists, spend 20 minutes sketching that topic.
Do you feel creative yet? You will after doing this daily. Most of my entries are quite terrible, but it encouraged vigorous thought. Some entries may surprise you, in fact, one of the lines I wrote ended up in my first picture book. And the simple word, “Milk”, encouraged my second manuscript.
Give it a shot! If you have children, encourage them to create a journal. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!
Jacqueline Leigh 