I am very excited to be part of Linda Covella’s The Castle Blues Quake Virtual Book Tour {and if you will read all the way through the end, you will find a giveaway surprise waiting just for you :)}. This tour is happening from the 14th to the 24th of October. A number of bloggers are participating in this, too, so make sure to visit their respective blogs {I have a linky towards the end of the post for your convenience}. This sure looks like an exciting and interesting read, and very timely, too, as Halloween is just right around the corner. Before moving on, do read this lovely message Linda made for all you Mumwrites readers:
Creativity from Outside the Box
First, I want to thank Mumwrites for having me on this blog and for being a part of my Castle Blues Quake blog tour. And thank you to the readers for stopping by!
On this tour, I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity.
To really be creative, to really produce something that’s uniquely “you,” you must think outside the box. There are several things you can do to help yourself think beyond what’s typical:
- Don’t make assumptions. Don’t take something for granted. Rather, question what is commonly known about whatever it is you’re working on.
- Look at it from a different angle. This can be figuratively or literally. If you’re working on a physical project—a sculpture or an invention, for instance—walk around it, turn it over, add or remove something. In writing, experiment with different voices. Rewrite a scene from another character’s POV. If you’ve created an outline for your story, try deviating from what you’ve planned, whether with a character’s reaction or with the plot.
- Step away from your project. Take a walk or eventake a few days off. Observe things around you, but let yourself and your mind relax. It’s amazing how new ideas can come to you when you aren’t immersed in the details of your work.
- Make sure to break up your routine on a daily basis. When you’re in a rut, your mind gets into one as well.
- Talk with others about your project, even those who may not be in the same field. Voicing your ideas helps free up your mind, and ideas or questions from your listeners can trigger new ideas.
- Take a good look at your inner self. What beliefs, inhibitions, tensions are keeping you from exploring new ideas? Talk to others or read about ideas that are contrary to your own.
Finally, and I believe this may be the most important:
- Keep an open mind. Be willing to change.
Is it difficult for you to “think outside the box”? Do you have any techniques that work for you?
The Castle Blues Quake in a nutshell
THE CASTLE BLUES QUAKE by Linda Covella
Children’s, Young Adult – Sci Fi / Fantasy
Tour Dates: October 14 – October 24, 2014
Blog Tour with Giveaway
