Feed Your Stories With FUN . . .

This past April was filled with a ton of fun for a writer like me.

There was Easter weekend (which is also my mom's birthday!), meaning lots of good food, sweet cake, and lovely family time.

It's also one of Cosette's favourite holidays of the year . . .

Cosette loves eating carrots - just like the Easter bunny

On April 24th and May 2nd, Cosette Goes to the County made it's way to two local schools.

Thank you to Sonrise Christian Academy in Prince Edward County and St. Albert's College in Belleville, Ontario. I had so much fun reading a local story with local students.

And the most fun of all?!?!

My big sister and I have begun a new Sunday ritual - or should I say "witch-ual". . .

Playing Septima! A board game all about casting spells, brewing potions, and pretending you are the head witch of your very own coven . . .

Game board design - a pretty cool creative career!

Finally, I also took some time last month to stock my personal library with local library and bookstore finds.

Afterall, reading for a writer is the ultimate way to play.

Which brings us to this month's advice from my latest children's book Where Do Stories Come From?:

"It's important to play."

And when I say play, I don't just mean reading. Or board games. Or holiday feasts.

For you it might be skateboarding, playing catch, strumming a guitar, or mastering your favourite video game. The list goes on and on.

The point is that sometimes when we do creative work we forget to make time for different forms of fun.

I am always ready to sit down at my writing desk Monday morning after a day of witchy fun on the weekend.

And the truth is, YES I do get many of my best story ideas when I wake up in the morning and journal and write.

BUT . . .

It is often when I am out for a long swim, or a meandering hike, or eating popcorn at the movie theater, that I also stumble upon inspiration. I might come up with the perfect line, a clever rhyme, or a twist in a plot I've written.

The point being, sometimes when there is no pen around I get my best writing done.

It is said that if you do something alone, in silence, + repetitively - like knitting, or swimming laps - your mind sinks into a state of flow (one-pointed attention) that makes you very receptive to inspiration.

But, I have also found a day spent hanging out with my family, talking to my friends, and playing games and sports with others, has equally sparked great ideas for dialogue, character traits and stories. Plus, fills me with the energy to keep on writing!

Whether you are playing solo or having fun in a crowd, I believe every moment we take time for fun has an impact on your creativity.

What about the notion that if you love what you do it should never feel like work at all?

Aren't artists meant to feel like all their work is play?!?

I see the path of building anything - a book, a short story, something artsy or not - the same way as building a sandcastle.

Or, for my fellow Canadians - building a snow fort!

Of course, both of these activities are super-duper fun.

Yet, they are also a lot of hard work.

Digging moats and scooping snow is all in the name of the game.

None-the-less, we enjoy the game as a whole, hopefully just like the writing process.

And part of that game is the writing and the writing blocks. The editing and reediting. Illustrations and endless erasing to get that picture just right.

Turning blank pages from nothing into something is just like a castle emerging from the flat, golden sand or an ice fort rising from the snow.

It takes effort - digging, patience, and sweat - but overall it really is a ton of fun.

Especially when you still set aside time outside of writing for all the other hobbies, passions, and play-time rituals you enjoy.

In other words,

It's important to remember the art of having fun so that you can keep having fun making art.

It doesn't really matter HOW you have fun.

WHAT you play.

WHO you are with.

WHEN or WHERE.

All that matters is WHY.

Why we bother making castles in the sand when we know the tide will wash them away.

Or forts in the snow that will only melt come spring.

Why we bother to paint pictures that might never go in a gallery, or play hockey when no one is keeping score, or write a story that very well may never be read.

Hopefully, you do it because it makes you smile. Because it brings you joy. Because you are enjoying the process, sweat and all.

And when the ocean washes your work away, or when the ice melts, or when you eventually reach "The End" - this might just be the best part of all.

Because that means it's time to begin again . . .

It all BEGAN with my first book cover in 2022 - Lots of sweat and smiles.

Writing Workout: Today my personal play time included a long stroll to the waterfront to watch the newly hatched baby turtles swimming in their pond. For this months writing exercise, head to your own favourite place to play and bring along your notebook or journal. Have some fun - a game of soccer, a ride on your bike or skateboard, or like me, enjoy spotting some wildlife. Afterward, open up a blank page, pull out your pen, and see what new story ideas may have magically appeared.

COMING THIS MONTH: Join me for a FUN day of reading at Indigo Books in Kingston, Ontario. 1:00pm: Storytime for Kids. Noon - 2:00pm: Meet, greet, & book signing.

Happy Reading, Writing, and Play this wonderful spring time month of May . . .