Writing Tip #39 - Branching Creativity

 Branching Creativity.

What an odd statement. What exactly do I mean by this?

Sometimes, it’s good to change tactics. I used to do this by having multiple stories with different plots on the go at the same time. That way, when one feels stale, I can get the creativity flowing by shifting gears. 

It’s like taking a minute to step back when something isn’t working. Like taking a bit of a break to get another perspective. 

Lately, for me, that’s taken the form of other hobbies, beyond writing. Writing has been a bit of a chore for me lately, and I’m not sure why. But I like being creative and getting the creativity moving, so I’ve been shifting gears a little. First I’ll paint, then I’ll do some writing while waiting for the paint to dry. Then I’ll do some 3D modelling, then write some when I’ve got my ideas flowing. It’s sort of like a warm up exercise for my brain.

I’m not sure if that’s helpful. But I find that doing something else when writing starts to feel too much like a chore helps to get the creative juices moving.

Life goes on

 Hey! Lots of changes going on in my life still. I've moved to the US, gotten married, and now I have time to write again. It's been some time.

It was comforting to open my old stories and see that nothing had changed. My characters, unlike the rest of my family, didn't go on without me. Some part of me knows that is selfish. Honestly though, I don't care.

Life means change. Sometimes change hurts, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes we spend our days trying to keep hold of something that isn't meant to be held. 

And sometimes, we get to control that change. We get to fight and claw and wrestle things to be the way we want them. But then we wonder, is that the way it should be? Maybe we shouldn't have fought so hard? Maybe things would be better changing?

I'm thousands of miles from where I grew up. I meet people in the street, and none of them are my friends. People I used to see and talk to every day are now casual acquaintances, marked by an occasional message. 

I really don't know where I'm going with this. I guess just working through some level of grief. My life is completely different now. Not in a bad way. Just different. 

Change rarely seems good in the moment. The day I left my hometown, there were tears. I cried at my last day at work. The drive to the USA was long, I spent a good part of it sleeping. However, I've traded seeing my family and friends for a new family, one that I get to help create. And that is good. There are moments of longing for what used to be my home. But this is my home now. Honestly, I wouldn't change it for the world.

I know, I know. I'll get back to writing tips next week or something. Just had to get some thoughts out that have been bothering me for a bit.  

Updates

 Hey. It's been a while, I know it has. I doubt anyone is still coming to read this, but that's ok.

Plenty has happened since my last post, actually. I got engaged, am working on a visa so I can move to the US and get married. I quit my job (and started a new one). 

Got pretty depressed, still trying to get out of it. Maybe this needs to become less of a writing blog for now. Could use it as a sort of journal for what's going on in my life. Who knows. 

Anyway, hope anyone reading this is having a decent day.