the craft. spring renewal: rituals for creative rejuvenation.
Spring has almost sprung and I’m excited to tell you that your battle with the seasonal blues is coming to an end. It can be a real challenge to stay creative in the winter months, unless it’s just your jam, but it’s time to kick off the rust and jump into all of the new work that you want to create now that Daylight Saving is upon us.
This means we’re getting more sunlight hours in the day, which if you’re anything like me, makes you feel like I can do anything. Now, spring presents its own challenges. The weather starts to heat up and all of a sudden you’re not feeling so inclined to sit behind your laptop screen for hours at a time, but there will always be an excuse not to write. So, what you have to learn are some of the tools that get you inspired enough to keep showing up to the page.
It’s the slow and steady progress that helps you suddenly get to 50k words and feel like you really have the beginnings of a manuscript draft. So what are some of the things that you can do to truly knock those cobwebs off and get your creative juices flowing once again? Well, here are a few of my thoughts:
Re-read a craft book. Personally, 1,000 Words by Jami Attenberg might be just what you need. The book is filled with these encouraging messages from writers of all genres and creeds as well as advice from Attenberg as well. It’s the little pep talk you may need to feel like you can indeed do this thing you set out to do in writing that book or essay.
Clear your space. That writing desk that is holding a lot of other things besides your laptop or notebook? Yeah, let’s clear that off. Let’s re-arrange, get a more comfortable chair, move the whole thing closer to a window, whatever you have to do to make the space more inviting for you to sit down and do your work. From week to week even, it makes such a big difference when my space is clear and ready to receive me.
Morning pages. Julia Cameron has her own approach, but I would say even three pages of free writing to get the creative juices flowing could be helpful to your process. Sometimes knowing where to start is the hardest part. But I find that journaling can sometimes lead me in the right direction. I start to see themes and patterns that I want to explore in maybe a fiction or nonfiction piece.
Get outside. One of the things I love the most about living in LA and enduring the insane cost of living is the amount I get outside. I need that sun shining down on me. The sound of the birds. That little bit of pollution (j/k) to really get me going. Taking a walk or going on a hike gets me out of my head for a while which improves how I return to the page when it’s time. As the temps heat up, don’t be afraid to get out and move.
Evaluate your writing practice. Do you want to take some sessions outside to a park or garden? Do you want to align your morning pages with the shift in sunrise? Are you now more motivated to write at night than in the morning? Just as the seasons change, so can our process, especially if it’s getting stagnant and not helping you to show up as your best self.
Observe. Listen, there is nothing better than just people watching or describing your surroundings. Taking some time to take down vivid descriptions of people, places, things, smells, etc. can up the ante on your writing.
Last but not least, make a new playlist. You know that I love a good soundtrack to write to. With spring comes new tunes, so start a fresh playlist to get you in the mood to write that next masterpiece.
The discipline to write is not easy. Especially in a time when so much is constantly trying to grab our attention. We’re on screens all day every day. So we have to do the things that get us excited about this craft we all love so much.
There is nothing better than finally convincing myself to sit at my desk and after getting past the initial jitters of staring at a blank page, starting to see something come to life. I’ve been working on my work in progress piece by piece and suddenly I hit a milestone without even thinking about it. Just one scene, at times one line, at a time. All these small things can add up to that beautiful body of work.
Do you have any other routines to help get you going in a new season?
The Writing Fellowships at A Public Space support writers who embrace risk in their work and their own singular vision. Writers who have not yet published a book are invited to apply. The three Fellows selected annually receive editorial support to prepare a piece for publication in the magazine; a $1,000 honorarium; complimentary access to all A Public Space Master Classes during the fellowship year; the opportunity to meet virtually with members of the publishing community and to participate in a public reading. (Closes Mar. 31)
The American Library in Paris Visiting Fellowship offers writers, researchers, and creators the unique opportunity to spend a month in Paris working independently on their own creative project while contributing to the cultural life of the Library. In addition to working on their own project, Fellows present a public program during their residency that engages our audience and members around a central theme. The theme for 2025-2026 is Ways of Seeing. (Apr. 1)
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Writer’s Victory Lap
We just wanted to give a shout to our Permission Granted member Shanetta McDonald for securing an agent for her memoir. We’re so excited for her and this new work and just want to celebrate her in this moment. Looking forward to seeing it on the shelves.
Be sure to share your good news with us, hello@permissiontowrite.com.