Linda McHenry

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  • Writer’s Block: Unsticking Yourself

    Writer’s Block: Unsticking Yourself

    I’ve found myself stuck on occasion–otherwise known as staring writer’s block in the face. I’ve tried lots of ways to unstick myself, thought I’d found the best, and just discovered the ultimate. Read on and be amazed…

    What being stuck looks like

    For me, writer’s block isn’t the inability to write; I can always write something. The block part comes when I can’t write something GOOD–otherwise known as brilliant, inspiring, or exactly the opposite of the boring, uninspiring trash I just wrote.

    Many years ago, a writer friend of mine (Nancy Harwood Bulk, who has since passed away), gave me some excellent advice. She said that if you hit a snag in your plotting, or you don’t know how your character should respond, make a list of options. And never use the first ten or twenty of them. Her take was that the first things that came to mind would also come to the mind of the reader and, therefore, were a death knell to good fiction.

    I’ve been using that advice for a long time. And, I’m sorry to say, it hasn’t helped me craft the opener my new book. (Which I’m pantsing, by the way. First time for everything.) In the past two weeks, I’ve rewritten the opener about eight times and changed the starting point as many times. I’m nearly bald from ripping my hair out.

    Image by luxstorm from Pixabay

    What getting unstuck looks like

    Because what we writers do when we hit a snag is conduct online research and become embroiled in procrastination, I began searching for creativity tips. Lo and behold, the creativity gods smiled and pointed me in the direction of my latest treasure. In turn, I’m sharing it with you.

    You’re welcome.

    After following this guy’s advice I completely turned around my block and have a TON of excellent ideas to work with … and already started putting them into action. I share the link three paragraphs down.

    My first go-to for any advice about writing is Writer’s Digest and it had some great articles. If you don’t already have a subscription, get one. The online version is much less expensive than the paper/mailed version. I get both.

    I stumbled across several by Jane Friedman, whom I love, which prompted me to visit her website. And that’s where I struck gold. FYI, I don’t know her, never met her, and am not being compensated in any way for this recommendation. She’s just too good not to share.

    Jason Keath wrote an article on her website in October of last year, which I obviously missed. Clearly, Karma knew I’d need it more now than I did then … and that you would too. Bad Ideas for More Creative Writing (https://janefriedman.com/3-bad-ideas-for-more-creative-writing/) contains three different tips:

    • The Bad Idea Method
    • Constraint Questions
    • The Fast & Ugly Draft

    The Bad Idea Method worked for me and is now my new go-to. How do you get unstuck? What do you think of Jason’s ideas?

  • Do Crystals Really have healing energy?

    Do Crystals Really have healing energy?

    If you conduct research online, you see conflicting opinions about the beneficial effects of crystals, or crystal healing. Scientists pooh-pooh their ability to cure or alleviate stress and medical conditions. Others swear by their healing properties.

    What’s your go-to when you’re upset? Do you grab a snack? Smoke a cigarette? Go for a run? Or do you reach for a rock, or a piece of glass, or a favorite necklace, bracelet, or ring?

    Crystal Energy

    No matter what you do when you’re upset, you DO something. And that involves energy. The energy of digesting, breathing smoke into your lungs, or getting those muscles moving. The energy of going inward, joining your mind and body through touch.

    Now, if you know me (or even got a good look at me), you know I’m a fan of eating and not so much of a fan when it comes to spending time exercising. Fortunately, I’ve never smoked. And I’m always reaching for that crystal—whether it’s a stone I can pocket, hold in my hand, or wear as jewelry.

    I have crystals scattered all around my house. Tumbled stones in glass dishes and seashells. Palm stones, worry stones, and raw/untreated pieces on my desk and night table. Towers and free forms on my bookshelves. I feel their energy and, because they often calm me, I feel “crystal healing.”

    When my grandson was about seven years old, he discovered the crystals in my living room. He asked if he could pick his favorite stone in each of the glass bowls. See the image of the stones in the heart-shaped dish? Those are the stones he chose … and they’re all aventurine, just different colors. When I asked him why he picked those stones he shrugged. “I just like them, Grammy.”

    Blue, green, yellow, and orange aventurine

    Favorite crystals

    What crystals, rocks, or stones do you “just like?” I’m always drawn to the jaspers and agates. I also have an affinity for some types of quartz. Rose quartz and amethyst are the most popular, but their energy seldom resonates with me. I prefer Herkimer, clear, and smoky quartz, along with citrine.

    The energy in some crystals is too strong for me. I feel weird when I wear them. I think malachite is one of the most beautiful crystals out there regardless of whether it’s the deep, dark green of a natural untreated stone, or the multicolored stripes of a tumbled stone. Unfortunately, when I wear it I get a headache.

    I prefer the red and brown and green jaspers; I find them calming and grounding when I’m stressed. And I haven’t found an agate I don’t like. My favorites are moss agate and Montana agate. I sleep better when I wear moss agate and aventurine bracelets on my left wrist. Normally, I don’t remember my dreams; but when I wear Montana agate to bed, I do.

    Your take

    What’s your take on crystals and the energy they emit? Do you have a favorite crystal?

    Rose quartz and amethyst
    Sodalite, pink tourmaline/rubellite, garnet
    Black obsidian, sardonyx, and black tourmaline
    Clockwise from top, striped stone: green onyx, peach moonstone, fire agate, carnelian, fire agate, red onyx, and sunstone in the middle
    Moss agate tower, bracelet, palm stone, and tumbled stone

     

  • What are Your Favorite Watercolor Supplies?

    What are Your Favorite Watercolor Supplies?

    I began dabbling in watercolor painting last January, having no idea what my favorite watercolor supplies were. I received some student supplies as a Christmas gift because I was so enthralled with reels on Facebook and Instagram of the various artwork watercolorists could produce. I began painting and fell in love. The student supplies were great. Until they weren’t…

    Favorite Water Color Supplies: Paint

    Even in the year since I’ve been painting, I can see that professional paints don’t fade the way student paints do. Admittedly, I’ve only used Winsor & Newton and Daniel Smith professional paints, so I don’t know how they compare with others. Personally, I usually prefer using tube paints but do use both tube and pan. Here’s what I’ve found to be the most important requirements for paint and colors that I buy/use:

    • Ingredients of the paint (i.e., pigments, fillers, additives, etc.)
    • Lightfastness, or the ability of paint to NOT fade.
    • Using colors with only a single underlying pigment (this makes it much easier when mixing paints)

    Here’s a quick look at some online resources; I urge you to do more research:

    https://mymodernmet.com/best-watercolor-paint-sets/

    https://www.artnews.com/art-news/product-recommendations/best-professional-grade-watercolor-paint-tubes-1234588663/

    https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2024/04/22/fugitive-pigments-why-do-they-fade-and-does-it-matter/

    Favorite Water Color Supplies: Brushes

    There is a HUGE difference in results based on the brush one uses. I’ve tried several brands and, so far, really like Princeton brushes. I received some Winsor & Newton professional Kolinsky Sable brushes as a Christmas gift this year–they’re natural hair brushes–and they’re wonderful. Personally, I buy synthetic sable and am very happy with them.

    Keep in mind that each type of brush produces different results, and each brand/line of brushes holds different amounts of water. If I’m painting loose, I like a brush that holds a lot of water. For this I use Princeton’s Neptune brushes AND/OR quill or mop brushes. If I’m painting small or a lot of details, I prefer a stiffer brush with more snap that doesn’t hold as much water. I’ve found that I personally achieve finer details better when using small liner/rigger brushes than I do with smaller round brushes.

    Each artist has his/her own preferences, though, so figure out what you like better–not just what other people like better. I found that buying a variety of cheap brushes first helped me identify what made me happiest.

    Here are a few resources:

    https://artignition.com/best-watercolor-brushes/

    https://jennarainey.com/ultimate-guide-best-watercolor-brushes/

    https://www.artchive.com/buying-guides/best-watercolor-brushes/

    Favorite Watercolor Supplies: Paper

    Paper is a game-changer. Until recently, I wasn’t aware that paper made all the difference in the world with respect to how the paint and water flow on the page.

    Now, having said that, I want to share that I’m HAPPY I started down this road using student grade paper. It showed me, as nothing else could ever do, how poorly inexpensive paper performs in most conditions. True, when I used watercolor pencils and watercolor markers, some student paper did a great job. But when I wanted to use a lot of water and/or layer paint, it didn’t. Professional, 100% cotton paper is the way to go if you want to gift a piece of artwork; it’s essential if you’re going to sell art.

    Here are some things to consider when buying/using paper:

    • The thicker the paper (i.e., it’s weight), the more water it will hold.
    • Do you prefer using smooth paper, or paper with texture? Again, whether paper is smooth, rough, or somewhere in between will have an effect on your results.
    • Is the paper 100% cotton, cellulose (wood pulp), or a combination of both?

    Here are some resources to help you understand and/or choose the best paper for you and your project of the day:

    https://jennarainey.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-best-watercolor-paper/

    https://www.watercolor-101.com/understanding-watercolor-paper-how-to-choose-the-right-type-for-your-art/

    https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-mediums/watercolor/understanding-the-different-grades-of-watercolor-paper/

    Painting by Celenie McHenry

    A Final Word

    I’m in the process of experimenting with four different types of 100% cotton paper, and have already played around with some paper that is 25% cotton and 75% cellulose. I’ll be using one of these types when I gift one of my masterpieces, including homemade cards, gift tags, bookmarks, etc.

    The mixed paper, or the higher grades of Strathmore (400 and 500 series), are now my go-to when practing for finished artwork. I’ll be using the better quality student watercolor paper (140lb, 300 gsm) for watercolor pencil and watercolor brush pen pieces.

    What are your favorite watercolor supplies – paints, brushes, and paper?

  • Are You a Pantser, a Plotter, or BOTH?

    Are You a Pantser, a Plotter, or BOTH?

    What do I mean when I ask:

    Are you a pantser, a plotter, or both? When you write, do you fly by the seat of your pants, outline all the plot details before hand, or use a combination of both techniques?

    I’ve always been a plotter, which was extremely helpful when I wrote my nonfiction book. Also, it helped immeasurably when I developed and wrote hundreds of insurance continuing texts and courses (online, classroom, and webinar). As a novelist, being a plotter has also been helpful. Now, however, I’m writing my first novel on a pure pantsing basis.

    Of course, that statement is made tongue-in-cheek because, let’s face it, while the fuel of my fabrications is imagination, if I come up with a great idea for a future line of dialogue or scene I’m definitely writing it down. In a literal sense, even the most devout of pantsers has to engage in SOME plotting!

    So, here’s what I’m doing now…

    At this moment, I’m thinking it’s absolutely essential for me to know how my book is going to end. Specifically, whether my lead character achieves her goal and how she’s grown and/or become a better person. So, I guess that’s plotting. I also think that if flashes of insight strike me as I’m writing (and they’re doing so), I’ll plan for them by sketching them into a loose outline. That’s also plotting.

    But as far as everything else goes, I’m winging it! Definitely pantsing.

    I attended a terrific plotting workshop presented by Gayle Lynds at a writer’s conference a couple of years ago and my big takeaway was that plot derives from character. So far, my pantsing/winging is going well.

    Yes, I know all the advantages of plotting—I’ve experienced them firsthand. On the other hand, I agree with many others that plotting too much, or too tightly, can sensor creativity and disallow deviations from the path already outlined.

    So, are you a pantser, a plotter, or both?

    What are your personal experiences? Do you have any tips? Successes? Less than desirable consequences we should know about? Let us know!

    As always, here are some resources:

    Well-Storied: https://www.well-storied.com/blog/a-pantsers-guide-to-story-structure

    Jane Friedman (one of the few people I love without having known/met her): https://janefriedman.com/panster-or-plotter/

    Writer’s Digest: https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/jan-29

  • Are You, or Someone You Know, a HSP (Highly Sensitive Person)?

    Are You, or Someone You Know, a HSP (Highly Sensitive Person)?

    Are you a HSP? Does any of this sound like you, or someone you know?

    • Do any of the following regularly bother or overwhelm you: loud noises, bright lights, clothing with rough textures, crowds?
    • Do you notice details other people seem to miss?
    • Do you respond emotionally to music, art, and/or nature?
    • Can other people’s moods make you happy, sad, angry, etc.?
    • Are you a deep thinker?
    • Do you prefer small, or one-on-one, gatherings to large social events?
    • Do you have a low tolerance for pain, caffeine, and/or medication?
    • Can movies and books make you cry?
    • Would you prefer to have a deep, intimate conversation instead of engaging in small talk?
    • Has a family member or loved one referred to you as “too sensitive?”
    Are you a HSP?

    I first heard the term highly sensitive person in the late 1990s when my ex-husband presented me with the book written by Elaine Aron, The Highly Sensitive Person. At the time, her research was viewed as controversial and, in the intervening years, is accepted as scientifically accurate. She’s also written several follow up books (https://hsperson.com/books/).

    Here are a few details.

    (At the end of the post, I’ll provide more links if you want to investigate more thoroughly.)

    • HSPs represent about 15-20% of the population.
    • This trait is present in more than 100 different animals. Scientists believe it may be associated with the ability to adapt and survive.
    • HSPs process their thoughts and emotions more deeply than others do. During clinical research, parts of their brain actually respond differently.
    • Because of this deep processing, HSPs tend to become easily overwhelmed by external stimulus (i.e., sounds, smells, bright light, other people’s emotions).

    Are you a HSP? Here’s Elaine Aron’s self-test, if you’re interested: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/.

    FYI, of a possible 126, I scored 112, which represents 6.2 on a scale of 7. Anything over a 5 indicates a person is probably highly sensitive. Of course, there are different kinds of sensitivity; I scored higher in some areas than others. These areas are:

    • Overstimulation
    • Sensitivity to positive experiences
    • Social sensitivity
    • Depth of processing
    • Emotional reactivity
    • Sensitivity to details

    What I found interesting about the different scores in the preceding 6 areas, is that I was spot on when it came to recognizing in what areas I’m most sensitive.

    So, what do you think? Are YOU an HSP? Care to share your thoughts?

    Here are a few resources:

    Sensitive Refuge: https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/

    Elaine Aron’s website: https://hsperson.com/

    NeuroLaunch: https://neurolaunch.com/hsp-properties/ and https://neurolaunch.com/category/hsp-insights-and-sensory-solutions/

    Cleveland Clinic: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/highly-sensitive-person

    Are you a HSP?