keeping your muse alive

     Half the work of being a writer is coming up with something to write about. So, (to help myself, as much as to help others) I came up with a list of ways to keep your muse alive and well.

• Write a list of small-everyday-things that make you happy
• Be adventurous and do something you've never done before. (Like eat octopus or get a new hairstyle)
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• Put yourself in a crowd of people. Eavesdrop on a conversation and compose a story around it.
• Get your camera out and snap a few artsy photos.
• Read the dictionary :)))))
• Listen to music--or better yet, get dressed up and go to the theatre.
• Travel. Make a day trip to some nearby destination
• Perform some random act of kindness.
• Look out the window and describe what you see
• Interview somebody interesting and truly get to know them.
• Read read read!!!! Newspaper headlines, captivating novels, blog posts--anything will do.
• Pull out some old family albums for perusal
• Go to the office store and buy some fancy pens. (I don't know why, but this is one way I am able to start writing prolifically--without fail.)
• Search "funny cat videos" on youtube
• Practice different handwriting fonts.