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Grow Flow with Library Visit Part III

Culture Found During Library Visit

Library visits offer so much for anyone wanting to grow their creative flow. First, noticing the classes, from gourmet cooking classes to garden rock decorating sessions, can happen with a quick glance at a community bulletin board. Next, chat with librarians and patrons about what events or festivals they enjoy with their family and friends. Finally, look around the library. Often the art, displays, and figurines give a wealth of visual cues of ways to deepen your curiosity.

At the Lake Wales Public Library, a three-panel display of Bok Tower Gardens is what I saw when first entering the building. And, at midpoint is a glass-encased replica of the carillon bell tower. While their is a kitschy rendition of Bok Tower at nearby Legoland, this rendition is an artist’s model and worthy of detailed review. The display reminded me of how cultural heritage inspires creativity with its pride in ownership. For me, the singing tower produces happy memories of past family outings. And, those outings bring to mind essays that I could write on traditions families enjoy.

A replica of Bok Tower Gardens carillon. The original still operates concerts daily.

The Sound of Music

Visit your library for information on places like Bok Tower Gardens. The historical attraction in Central Florida was created decades before Mickey Mouse or Shamu the Whale entered social consciousness. The contemplative gardens and bell concerts came during a gentler time of tourism. Constructed in 1929, the carillon is approaching its 90th year of entertainment offered 365 days a year.

Your Turn

This concludes the three part post on how to find inspiration for creative projects at your local library. While looking around your public library, find out about cultural events in the area. If you are in Central Florida, you can get information on Bok Tower Garden and the carillon concert schedule by looking at their website here: https://boktowergardens.org/

Here’s to growing your flow in 2019,

Marisa

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Seed Your Flow with Library Visit Part II

The Lake Wales Public Library Seed Lending Library lends to creativity, too.

Library Visit Seeds Inspiration

Library visits seed greater flow regarding work and creativity. Moreover, they install a sense of wonder in the variety of ways to reach out in curiosity. This makes sense. First, just as seeds grow into plants and bear fruit, vegetables, or flowers, so does intuitive expression grow from interaction with the media, services, and education offered at libraries. Second, the more you apply that curiosity, the greater stored knowledge is held. Therefore, the ultimate way to grow flow is by finding and visiting an actual Seed Library, such as the one at Lake Wales Public Library in Lake Wales, Florida.

Wonder why seed libraries grow in so many libraries around the country? See here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/public-seed-library

Sow Seeds to Create More Work

As I approached the display of the Seed Lending Library, I had a flood of ideas for paid work. First, I wondered who was most likely to use a seed library? How many people grow their own food and is it enough? That made me think of grant proposal writing aspects of this service. Next, I wondered how libraries like this one in an agriculturally-based community could get the word out more. The thought of a social-media driven news article or a brown-bag lunch lecture came to mind. Also, the phrases joy of gardening and fruits of labor gave me a jolt. What sorts of poetry projects could rise from this display? Finally, I considered putting a series into my blog about creating flow from library visits.

Carrot and gourd seed packets bring to mind stories that root writers in writing for both paid and family heirloom projects.

Plant Seeds for Greater Creativity

As I browsed through the antique card catalog file that was repurposed to alphabetically organizing local seeds, I was thrilled. Here are the beginnings of many plants. And, stories, too. A glance at the carrot packets reminded me of how much my daughters loved The Tale of Peter Rabbit as children. Then, the sight of radishes reminded me of another story they enjoyed, Rapunzel. In turn, an idea for an essay on motherhood and reading to children emerged. Perhaps I would only write it for them?

Your Turn

Take some time and see if a seed library exists in your area. Or, simply look through some seed packets during your next trip to the store. See what projects grow from that experience

Here’s to growing your flow.

Marisa

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Yarn a Tale to Grow Flow

Have a Ball with Yarn as Prompt

Yarn is a good prompt for writing.
Squeeze a ball of yarn. It’s soft and fluffy to the touch. What metaphors or images arise from the sight or touch of the yarn?

Have yarn, will create! Using this spun thread to create connections is nothing new. The word itself has a secondary meaning, which is to spin a tall-tale, fable, or myth. There are some good reasons for this connection. First, yarns squeeze metaphors to create literary impact. Second, creatives can literally juggle  balls of yarn to consider how a plot can be twisted and turned to add drama. Finally, finger-crocheting can help knit together a dialogue or setting. Let’s look at yarn’s versatility as a writer’s tool below.

Squeeze Out Metaphor

Rubber stress balls work to help anxiety-filled writers and artists, but those made from yarn are better. Soft, fluffy, and light, they help us to squeeze metaphors while literally clamping down on them. Think about it. Maybe the logger who created the Paul Bunyan folklore had access to yarn balls while spinning tales of Paul and his blue ox named, Babe? Not familiar with the American tale? The city of Bemoiji, Minnesota’s website has detailed storylines for Paul and Babe’s travels. See more here: https://wewriteitright.com/sow-flow-visit-antique-shop/

Juggle ideas around while rotating these light-as-air balls to loosen up a plot.

Juggle Ideas Around with Yarn Balls

Perhaps juggling can loosen up a stuck plot. Without too much scientific thinking here, simply juggle three balls of yarn. Stand or sit. It doesn’t make a difference. Focus on the act of juggling the balls for five to 10 minutes, then write a journal entry about the current piece. See what types of connections altered or sprung up from the simple act of juggling. Need a refresher on how to juggle? Look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNigMfLNhpg

Finger Crochet to Knit a Tale

Want to bring a scene or a dialogue alive? Try finger crocheting some yarn at the desk. This works better seated than standing. Again, do not think too much about the creative piece. Think summer camp or study hall in middle school. Simply focus energy on doing the loops in finger crocheting for about 10 minutes. The process is what matters here, so don’t sweat the way the long link looks. Then, again, write a journal entry to note any new sensory images to add to a scene or dialogue.

Finger crochet for dialogue or scene development.

Your Turn

Creating space to allow images to pop up is important for writers and artists to yarn their tales. Frist, try to squeeze metaphors to enhance the story. Next, mix things up in a plot after juggling. Finally, use finger crocheting to knit together a scene or a dialogue. Choose any of these or all three to keep your story skills fluid.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Day After Twelfth Night Stirs Flow

Flow Arrives the Morning After Twelfth Night

Red wreath brings glee.
A red berry wreath remind bears glad tidings beyond Twelfth Night.

Entering into life beyond The Twelfth Day of Christmas challenges even the most cheerful among us.  People don’t get too excited about the thirteenth day of Christmas now, do they? Yet flow arrives on the heels of such a day. Honestly, it is important to know where to look. My family packed up Christmas after attending an Epiphany service. And, I’m not going to lie, it felt a little sad. Then, I realized what was needed to keep the spirit of the holidays going into at least next month. What was it? A simple red berry wreath.

Flow Found in Red Berry

A wreath is a traditional sign to welcome those entering a home. This red berry wreath is hung on a pantry door in my kitchen for a few reasons. First, it recalls winter’s joyful landscapes. Where I live it is in the 70s during the day and down in the 40s at night.  So, the symbolism of a white door behind the red berries reminds me of the Snow Belt where I grew up. Next, it winds around on itself as a sign of infinity. Glad tidings, I am reminded, are reason for an additional smile. And, another. Finally, stir those images around to find a satisfying sense of flow to extend the joy of Twelfth Night into today –  and beyond.

Other Places to Find Flow Beyond Twelfth Night

Easily find flow and where it grows through the five senses. First, get out a journal. Next, walk around the office or house and jot down anything that smells, sounds, tastes, feels, or looks like an extension of the holiday. For example, note that the red earthen wear bowl can hold fruit such as apples on the counter. Perhaps a dash a cinnamon in coffee or on cocoa brings a jolt of joy. Finally, take this listing of sense-related phrases and quickly write a reflection on Christmas joys. No need to share it – unless that, too, brings joy.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Candle Illuminates Holidays and Writing Practice

Holidays and Writing Traditions Glow with Candle

Today’s word-of-the-day selection for the holiday season is candle: (noun) – From Old English, candle is one of the oldest English borrowings from Latin. It probably arrived with Christianity at the end of the 6th century, and is first recorded in a gloss from around the year 700. Latin candela was a derivative of the verb candere, be white, glow. (Arcade Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto.)

Many celebrations use candles. First, both Advent and Hanukkah began on Sunday. Advent wreathes lit in Christian ceremonies are comprised of four candles, three purple and one pink, for each Sunday before Christmas Day. Menorahs are nine branched candelabras. One candle is lit each night. Later in December, African-Americans celebrate Kwanzaa throughout the Americas. They light seven candles (three red to the left, three green to the right, and a black center candle), which is held in a kinara, or candle holder.

Light candles to kindle holiday and writing traditions.
Candles illuminate paths for holidays as well as writing practices.

The Connotation of This Luminary Term

Historically, candlelight illuminated businesses and homes. Moreover, a spillover of this incandescent term persists today. How often have you  heard someone say they were burning the candle at both ends or burning the midnight oil? Perhaps it is the positive verb, can, found within candle, which stirs creative intention. Indeed, the glow seems to grow flow.

The Message That Shines Forth

The message from this term shines brightly: Light me before you begin any work to bless the gifts you bring to the table. For I will inspire you to find the best means to the end. The spiritual message illustrates that there is hope in any situation, especially when gratitude is shown for the inspiration that will surely be delivered when beginning any creative endeavor.

Your Turn

First, find a candle in your home. Put it on your writing table. Second, light the candle. If you are nervous about an open flame near stacks of manuscripts, flick on an electric candle. Finally, take out your journal and for 15 minutes write about an experience you have had with candles. Maybe you remember making candles in an elective art class in middle school? Maybe it reminds you of the holiday celebrations? Whatever comes up write it down. Continue to experiment with this practice as the days grow darker. The glow calls flow to it.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa