Everyday Canvas

Reading and Writing

All of us have slumps and getting back on track varies drastically among us so let's toss ideas around on how to stay motivated with our writing. What works best for you?

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I really don’t lack motivation for writing. I can read and write non-stop and feel very happy, but life doesn’t lend itself to such pleasures. So, I try to write something each day.

First, I try to keep up with my blog and offline writing. Then I have another MS Word file in which I write free-flow, and I carry scraps of paper in my pockets or purse all the time. I also freeflow in physical notebooks strewn around the house. Believe it or not, I even have a small notepad hidden in the bathroom.

I don’t normally start writing a decent story or novel, unless I have to, because I love writing whatever whenever. Possibly, I need more motivation and maybe time and structure to write something that makes sense rather than playing with words and ideas all the time. I may also need the motivation to revise the several novels and stories in my port. Because I like doing whatever I like doing, this may not be possible, ever.

Prompt: What books are on your Summer Reading List?

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I don’t really have a summer reading list because I never understood what summer reading was. Just because I am in summer doesn’t mean I am going to cheapen my tastes or read differently.

On the other hand, I do have a list, as always. Right now, I am reading The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay in paperback. On my Kindle, I am reading Norman Mailer: The Last Romantic by Carl Rollyson. On my music player, I am listening to the Short Stories by Daphne du Maurier while I walk around doing other things.

In the meantime, unless I am more intrigued by other books, the next items on my list are: The Storied Life of A J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, A World to Win by Upton Sinclair, The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak, A Pillar of Iron by Taylor Caldwell, State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. These books are on the top of the list, but I have more than 4000 books in my Kindles and Nook, and not enough lifetime left to read them. Plus, I keep getting more books each day. Am I a hoarder or what!