Creative Writing Triggers

Writers write. That may seem painfully obvious but it’s what we do. We can’t afford to be so undisciplined that the words don’t flow from the keyboard. Call it procrastination, laziness or something else (I don’t believe in writer’s block. See my post about that here).

In another post, I shared some writing exercises that one of my former college professors used in class. Here are a few of my own techniques that I’ve come up with over the years:

Write down some words at random and list as many synonyms as you can for each. Pull out the thesaurus if you have to. Seeing certain words in black and white can trigger ideas.

Copy the lyrics from a song you despise. Take those verses that make you wince from their supreme awfulness and rewrite them.

Make up a product or service that you need to sell. Create ad headlines that will grab people’s attention. Don’t filter yourself — let your imagination go wild.

Questions & Quandaries

Have writing/publishing/industry questions?

Then check out Brian A. Klems’ blog at Writer’s Digest, "Questions & Quandaries." From copyright and legal questions to grammatical and formatting dilemmas — and most everything in between — Brian’s blog is invaluable. I refer to it constantly.

Social Media for Business 101

Here’s an article I wrote for Connect magazine, a publication for business owners, on using social media. It’s basically a social media primer, laying out some simple ground rules.

Improve Your Writing

Are you a writer? A newbie, seasoned pro or maybe somewhere in between? Want to enrich your skills? I recommend reading 73 Ways to Become a Better Writer.

Find my work in the latest issue of Central Florida Lifestyle magazine

Fun and games are definitely not just for kids. Looking to get in shape or socialize with others while playing your favorite sport?

The latest issue of Central Florida Lifestyle features an article I wrote about Adult athletic leagues.

Take a gander and feel free to let me know what you think.

Read an inspiring story in the latest issue of Central Florida Lifestyle magazine

The July issue of Central Florida Lifestyle is out, and in it you’ll find a story I wrote about Kathy’s Ross’ inspiring mission trip to a tiny Honduran village.

Take a gander and feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks.

Find my work in the latest issue of Central Florida Lifestyle magazine

The June issue of Central Florida Lifestyle is out, and in it you’ll find a story I wrote about David Ashby, a teenager walking 1,100 miles to raise awareness of homeless children.

Take a gander and feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks.

"Hey, how ya doin'?"

Here's a handy way to reconnect with clients, editors, interview subjects, publishers, whomever -- especially if it's been a while.

Sometimes we just lose touch with those we've worked with, or would like to work with. And it might feel clunky or pushy to just drop them a line out of nowhere. One thing I do is regularly check the appropriate B2B magazines, industry publications, general and business newspapers in the person's geographical area for their "In the News" section that lists award winners, promotions, lateral position moves, board of directors' appointments, etc.

If I spot a familiar name, I immediately send them a quick e-mail that basically says: "Just read about your [FILL IN BLANK]. Congratulations." Short and sweet. And I do not solicit my services or try to get work out of them. It's meant to refresh their memory on who you are and what you can offer them. If they're interested in doing business, chances are they’ll respond and broach the subject.

You can even set up a Google Alert on the person so you'll get an e-mail anytime their name is published on the Web.

3 Reasons I Need to Get Out of the House and Work in a “Real” Office Again

Riding in elevators is my main form of exercise.

Our mini pinscher just doesn’t appreciate my politically incorrect jokes.

No IT guy to scream at for not replacing my computer fast enough after I chuck it out the window in frustration.

Words to Write By

Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.

– C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)

Appreciate What You’ve Got

Remember years ago when saxophonist Branford Marsalis was Jay Leno’s bandleader on "The Tonight Show"? He left the show because he apparently wasn’t content with the tunes he played night after night and wanted to get back to pursuing his own music.

Not long after his resignation, he appeared on Howard Stern’s radio show. An indignant Howard chastised him for leaving such a plum gig. His basic point was, so what if it wasn’t a "prestige" gig and he wasn’t able to play his original music on the show. Bottom line: He still got to play music every night for an audience of millions, and the job paid really well.

It sort of reminds me of writers who feel that writing for local or regional publications is not attractive as it once was. Time to move on and get those bylines only in national magazines!

Maybe they should think twice.

Though publication in the big boys is an admirable goal (heck, I’m constantly striving for it myself), don’t sell the little guys short. If they’re dependable, reliable, legitimate sources of bylines, appreciate what you’ve got. With the right combination of talent, tenacity and breaks those nationally published clips will come.

Read my feature about Habitat for Humanity in the new issue of Central Florida Lifestyle magazine

The new issue of Central Florida Lifestyle is out. In it you’ll find a feature I wrote about Habitat for Humanity of Winter Park/Maitland -- a terrific organization run by wonderful people.

Take a gander and feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks.

Find my work in the newest issue of Texture magazine

The Spring/Summer issue of Texture is out. You’ll find my article "Commercial Spotlight" that focuses on the state of the commercial production industry in Central Florida.

Take a gander and feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks.

Find my work in the latest Florida magazine ("News for alumni and friends of the University of Florida")

Green engineering and sustainable practices are a passion of Amelia Dempere, University of Florida professor in the College of Engineering. The Winter issue of Florida contains a profile I wrote of her.

Take a gander and feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks.

Find my work in the March issue of Central Florida Lifestyle magazine

The March issue of Central Florida Lifestyle is out, and in it you’ll find two pieces I wrote. First up is a feature about the Windermere Roadies, a local cycling club, in the Southwest edition.

There is also a profile of musician and composer extraordinaire Robert Kerr in the Eastern edition.

Take a gander and feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks. Next month’s issue will have a feature I wrote about Habitat for Humanity of Winter Park/Maitland.