Kai Chronicles

Eating, exploring and enjoying life

Tag Archives: inspiration


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5 ways to find writing inspiration

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I’m still on my writing (semi) hiatus but I am always looking for inspiration. I feel if I force it too much, I think crap. I then pitch crap then get rejections flooding my inbox. Thinking crap = writing crap. And I don’t want that.

What I do want, is passion, motivation and inspiration. Here are my top 5 ways to gain such.

1. Read books. 

Obvious choice, yes? Yes, of course it is. Can there be a decent writer in the world who does not read? I think not. I have just received my very own copy of Stephen King’s writing memoir, On Writing. This book has been mentioned and recommended at many writing sessions and I’ve finally invested in my own copy.

I’m not only reading books about how to write. I think ANY book that raises some emotion,  offers time for reflection, makes you laugh or just plain motivates you to be the best person you can be is a good book.

I read a lot of books about spirituality. I am currently reading Marianne Williamson’s bestseller, A Return to Love, a book I have owned for many months now. It’s fitting how I picked it up when I really needed to hear its message. Imagine reading a book that you feel has been written just for you. That’s how I feel about it. I love Marianne Williamson too. The day I met her, I was on cloud nine.

Me with Marianne Williamson

Me with Marianne Williamson May 2012

2. Watch movies about writers/writing

In April, I watched The Words starring Bradley Cooper. It’s a movie about a struggling writer who ends up finding a day job after his efforts go unrecognised….I’m considering that myself. But….he does return to writing and produces a bestseller. I won’t say more, and yes there is a twist. I loved this movie so much that when it was over, I got up at 11pm and  wrote 2000 words of my novel. My husband didn’t like the movie much at all. He just didn’t “get” it. Maybe I should watch it again. It may inspire me to return to my novel (which I haven’t written a word of in over 2 weeks!).

Here are some other fantastic movies about writers that I love and plan to watch again in the near future.

  1. Misery
  2. The Shining (cannot watch alone)
  3. Secret Window
  4. Miss Potter
  5. Shakespeare in love
  6. Limitless ( this one freaked me out a bit)
  7. Julie & Julia
  8. The Rum Diary
  9. Closer (not really about the writer but a FAB and sexy movie)
  10. The Help (LOVE the book more than the movie)

Want more choice? Check out this list.

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3. Study writing blogs

I will admit, I don’t do this enough. There are some very good ones that offer so much information that it really should be part of my daily routine. My intentions are good and I hope to make this part of my writing ritual soon. The more time I invest my time to these educational blogs, the more I will learn the craft of writing. I’ve recently realised that I will never learn it all. It’s a continuous journey this writing thing. Yes, I said it – JOURNEY. Why do some people get so hung up on that word? Like it’s such a cliche? It’s a word people.

Here are a few writing blogs that are great (and ones I need to study)

  1. Write to Done
  2. The Write Practice
  3. The Creative Penn
  4. The Renegade Writer
  5. Jeff Goins Writer

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4. Be an active member of an online writers’ group

I am a member of the very exclusive Facebook group for grads of the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Writing for Magazine and Newspapers and Travel Writing course. The information, contacts, inspiration, motivation, praise and love we share is invaluable. I am very active on this forum and I been motivated to pitch to a magazine off the back of another writer’s success many times. If you want to be a writer, I suggest getting involved in a writers group ASAP. It doesn’t have to be online but I find in today’s society where everyone is connected by technology, it’s an easy, fast and convenient way to stay in the know with your peers.

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5. Free-write

Again, this is something that is a must for writers, preferably daily. I must get back to freewriting. My career depends on it!!! If you do not know, free-writing is when you sit down, either with fingers on keyboard or pen on paper and write everything that comes to mind. NO stopping is allowed. If you get stuck, you write….I don’t know what to write but Im feeling like if I sit here long enough typing something brilliant and helpful will come out. The idea is to just keep going. Set a timer and write non-stop for your allotted time. You never know, an idea for the next best seller may pop out!!

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Has this inspired anyone to pitch an idea, free-write or watch a movie? 

 

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Never give up

I had one of those days.

A day that was wasted with thoughts of indecision, apathy, fear and melancholy. It was pointless and useless.

I achieved very little.

Then with an hour before Master T was to arrive home, I got my motivation back. I don’t know what changed exactly. I just pulled myself up out of my slump and got on with things.

I’m not a quitter. Like I said yesterday, I’m committed to many things and I may fall from my perch sometimes but I do get back up there.

It’s times like these that I especially love inspirational quotes. Here’s one of my favourites.

it's never too late

©Jennifer Morton Photos

 


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Always celebrate your wins

Today is the 1st anniversary of this humble blog, Kai Chronicles.  It may not have thousands of followers or millions of hits but I am pretty stoked that I’ve kept it up. What I do have is 27 followers, 27 fantastic people who obviously “get” what I am going through!! I was stoked to get one, after myself so 27 is a big deal for me and my kai trials and tribulations.

I thought this day would be the perfect time to (finally) acknowledge  Jo Tracey (my most loyal follower) at andanyways for nominating Kai Chronicles for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award back in August.

 

And again I say, thank you Jo!! I was, and still am very touched that my obsessions and ramblings have resonated with you so deeply. With this honor comes responsibility. There are rules to go with such prestige and here they are:

 

  1. Display the award logo on your blog
  2. Link back to the person who nominated you
  3. State 7 things about yourself
  4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award and link to them
  5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the awards requirements.

#1 done

#2 done…bless you andanyways.com

#3

7 things about myself. You can find out heaps about a person from following their blog, so I, like Jo, will reveal some weird and wonderful facts that you may not already know.

  1. I am the youngest of 7 children
  2. I am a licensed skydiver
  3. I didn’t like Kentucky Fried Chicken as I child
  4. I refuse to eat or support KFC (formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken)
  5. If the Universe allowed it, I would have had 4 children. I have one and I’m grateful for that
  6. I have a tattoo for a wedding band
  7. I am a huge fan of Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives ( and I’d LOVE the DH  DVD series set for Christmas..just saying)

Now, the hard part, to name 15 inspiring blogs. I will be honest, I don’t even follow 15 blogs at the moment so naming 15 is impossible right now.  I will do my best though. Drum roll please……

(in no particular order)

  1. Random Ramblings of a Stay-at-home-Mum – Follow Lori’s journey through life as a single mum and emerging writer
  2. And anyways – Words and pics about life, food, travel, whatever
  3. Bucket List Publications – Fellow Nova Scotian, Lesley Carter works her way down a big list of to do’s
  4. One Thousand Days Single – Recently showcased in Australian media as a winner, Vanessa has vowed to stay single until March 2015
  5. That space in between – Sarah explores emotions that surround  life and loss
  6. Travelling Bag – Pam writes about travel and has some big plans and aspirations
  7. Canadian Hiking Photography – Patrick is a talented photographer and posts some real beauties here
  8. Life in a Pink Fibro – Allison is a writer with many tips of the trade to share

That’s it folks. These are the blogs that I actually read from time to time and I can honestly say that I find them useful, motivating, beautiful, awesome and inspiring.

Thank you again to Jo and to all my readers. I appreciate all 27 of you!!! I’ve love to be celebrating 1027 followers on October 15, 2013!!

 

Happy Anniversary Kai Chronicles  you beauty!!!

 

 

 


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I CAN DO IT, but I won’t.

I spent the past weekend attending the Hay House conference, I CAN DO IT here in Vancouver. Honestly, it was fabulous!

I could go on and on about how fabulous it was, but I won’t.

I could tell you that the presence in a room of 3000 like-minded people is of love and calmness.

I could tell you that listening to Wayne Dyer speak for nearly 3 hours was not only inspiring but soul touching. He spoke with such knowing and experience that it was hard not to be entranced. There’s something so pure and honest about seeing a  man show emotion as he talks of a moving, personal experience. I won’t even bother saying how beautiful it was to hear his daughter, Skye sing to him and all of us.

I could tell you that Marianne Williamson is a funny woman…..I wasn’t expecting that. I could also relay the story of how she (lovingly) told off a woman who was seeking advice on how to deal with her unconscious partner. I wasn’t expecting that!! That an evolved, spiritual person who preaches about self- love to also be bluntly candid!!! She was my favorite presenter. She was is awesome!!!

Me with Marianne Williamson

I could tell you how Doreen Virtue gave comfort to a woman who had just lost her young daughter to cancer and how the entire audience felt her pain then relief. And how she gave the grieving mum a hug, special gifts and words.

Or how Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson joked and laughed on stage and basically just let us sit in on one of  their  conversations. I could let you in on the secrets that they carry in their bras, but I won’t.

Louise Hay signing books.

Cheryl Richardson signing books.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could gush on and on about how giving and practical Robert Holden was and how he engaged us all with his witty dialogue. His British accent was a surprise….I had no idea he was British.

I wish I could tell you how they all wanted the message of change to get through to everyone. We are in a great time of change and consciousness is on the rise. But you had to be there to fully feel and understand the message.

I could ramble on and on about how I sat there in awe of these inspirational humans and how I long to be like them. I could sing out the words of love and praise I now have for myself after their gentle guidance. But I won’t do all that.

What I will tell you is this: After I left that conference, I ate a light dinner then went to a warm yin yoga class. Upon leaving that class, I did not walk: I floated. In the middle of a bustling city, I floated with ease and grace to a place that has been within me all along. And I may not stay here at all times, but it is this place where I will always return. Namaste.