Tag: ideas

Away for a few weeks

On By Alice StrathernIn Inspiration, Personal2 Comments

My husband and I are travelling to the other side of the world this week. We will take a break, and we’ll be back until November.

We’ve planned this trip for over a year, and we’re really looking forward to it. The time has come, and now we can enjoy it after months and months of hard work.

I’m also looking forward to all the thoughts that will pop up as I experience places I never thought I’d visit. Of course I’m ready with a brand new notebook to capture as much as I can. Travelling is inspiring after all.

I’ll be back with new ideas and lots of pictures!

First drafts are for your eyes only

On By Alice StrathernIn Thoughts, WritingLeave a comment

For some reason, the other day I woke up with this song playing in my head:

This song reminds me of my childhood. My parents tuned in the radio quiet often, and this song would be playing. Back then, I didn’t pay attention to the lyrics, but now I can really feel it has a powerful message.

Sing a song (…) don’t worry if it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing. Sing a song.

I feel the same thing happens when writing. You compose a story, and then you wonder if it’s good enough. However, the first draft is for your eyes only. Nobody else is reading it or judging you. All you need to do is write and edit later on.

As long as it all comes from the heart, the next improvements will follow. That’s what the song says to me. What does it say to you?

The Inspiring World of Magazines

On By Alice StrathernIn InspirationLeave a comment

I recently visited a bookstore and spent hours thumbing through the pages of different magazines.

It’s impressive how these publications can target really specific audiences. On the one hand, you have your typical politics or sports magazine; on the other hand, some revolve around chicken farms or philosophy in our day and age.

This got me thinking. Magazines can teach us so much about writing. They’re an endless source of ideas.

Continue reading “The Inspiring World of Magazines” →

What mom taught me about writing

On By Alice StrathernIn Personal, WritingLeave a comment

Today my mom is coming to visit me. She’s staying for three weeks, and I’m writing these lines as she’s making her way through the airport in Vancouver. Then, she will fly to Calgary.

I’m getting married next month. Her presence, support and guidance means the world to me. There’s a lot of things going on in my life right now. Big and exciting changes are coming my way, and I wouldn’t be able to get through them without her.

I’m thinking this is also the case for writing. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be motivated to be a writer. Here’s four tips she gave me to get started.

Continue reading “What mom taught me about writing” →

Writing fanfiction: A cure for writer’s block

On By Alice StrathernIn WritingLeave a comment

In my teen years, I used to read a lot of fanfiction about anime characters. I remember spending hours online discovering stories and making sure I reached the final chapter.

A few days ago, I retook this habit and decided to read with different eyes. I realized that fanfiction is a type of creative writing with tremendous potential to cure a case of writer’s block. Here’s why.

Continue reading “Writing fanfiction: A cure for writer’s block” →

Why marketing is not [so] evil

On By Alice StrathernIn Thoughts, Writing2 Comments

I think of marketing and my writing life as a love-hate relationship. In my mind, marketing is all about hard sales and finding channels to keep generating profit.

After giving it some thought, I came to a realization: marketing is like maths. You can’t escape them. They’re always there. They’re part of your life, and you need them. Creative work is not the exception.

Continue reading “Why marketing is not [so] evil” →