Staying Creative in Uncertain Times

This post first appeared on the Children's Book Academy blog.

If you are concerned about maintaining your motivation and keeping your creativity in these stressful and uncertain times, read on for some tips that will hopefully be helpful:

1) FIND ONE IDEA: 

• Observe everything. What’s right outside your window – nature, buildings, people? Write about what you see. 

• Take a look at old family photos. Jot down details about the people and places you see.    

• Interview family members and write a story about their experiences.

2) RESEARCH ONE TOPIC:

• Try researching one topic you encounter today.

• What do you wonder about? 

• What are you curious about? 

• What are you reading, watching, or listening to? 

3) REVISE ONE DRAFT:

• Pull out one old manuscript draft and find one place to revise. 

• Or critique one critique partner’s manuscript.

4) READ ONE BOOK:

• Whether it’s an adult book or a children’s book, start to read something today.

5) HELP ONE WRITER OR ILLUSTRATOR IN ONE WAY:

• Add one book to your “to read” list on Goodreads.

• Write one review on Goodreads or Amazon.

• Request that your local library purchase one book.

• Follow one creative on social media.

• Promote one creative on social media.

I hope that these manageable steps will help propel you forward with your writing pursuits. Happy creating! Let me know how it’s going in the comments.