Finding Creative Mojo
Charlotte Barnes December 1, 2007
I bet if you asked someone who knew me in school, they’d tell you, “I’m not surprised that
she’s a writer.” My fellow students were definitely subjected to some doozy early works—including the assignment to write our own epitaph. I died (tragically, of course) from eating the cafeteria food.
Though you might say my writing career had its genesis in these youthful assignments, I still felt “unwriterish” until recently when I got my own site,
www.charlottebarnesonline.com. I’d always felt a little bad when people would ask me about my books or upcoming projects, and I’d have to tell them, “I don’t have a site, but I’m working on X, Y, and Z.” Now I’m in cyberspace, baby!
But I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my “triumph of the technologically inept,” so I’ll move on.
I do think my childhood prepared me well for my writing endeavors. As a child born premature with continuing physical issues, I had to learn a lot about adversity, hard work, and human nature.
I value respect and kindness. I value persistence. I value the fire in my belly that keeps me getting up in the morning, and keeps me writing when I’m tired from my day job. I value that giddy feeling I get when a poem seems just right, or a friend tells me how much my work touched him. Embrace that giddy feeling. Embrace your supporters, too, but be your own “#1 Fan.”
Find alternative ways to promote your work. I created a gallery at www.zazzle.com/charlottebarnes430. It contains products inspired by lines and quotes from some of my works, along with many “Charlotte-isms.”
I would also encourage any current or future writers to examine their patterns. When do you feel most creative? What are you doing during those times? This will help you train yourself to enter into your creative state more easily and quickly. I find that motion, such as walking or driving, helps me swim through my creative waters.
I strive to be the best version of myself every day. I wish you much success in writing and in life. Perhaps one day our paths will cross on the street, but for now I’m happy to have met you in cyberspace. May the creative mojo be yours.
About Charlotte Barnes
Charlotte Barnes is a proud Florida State University alumna. When not writing or watching college football, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and if she work in a nap somehow, the day is just fine!
Charlotte Barnes Profile at OnceWritten.com
