For those days when the writing is not going as planned, switching direction may be helpful. I write in different genres; that helps me flex muscles I didn’t know I had, giving me a different perspective, which can be satisfying! Writing prompts can also help crank the engine. Here are six prompts to start with:

1. Find a photo that is intriguing. Write a story around it. Two talented mystery authors tried this regularly on the Sleuths & Sidekicks website, to great success! They left me always wanting to know more.

2. For character development, reflect on a good friend (or not so good) in your life. Write about qualities that make them special to you (or make them repelling). As you may have noted, this may assist in creating villains, as well as heroes/heroines, and even sidekicks in your story.

3. Consider how you have changed in character. Have you gained new insights that have altered your perspective? I did and used it in my latest, MURDEROUS MEANS, to give my heroine, Corrie, insight into a murder suspect’s behavior and motivation. It was enlightening!

4. Think about a favorite memory or a favorite location, and how it shaped your life. Write it down. Every location in my SoCal Mysteries is a location that impacted me in some way. And I weave favorite memories into my stories as well. No one else can relate, but I enjoy inserting bits and pieces of myself in my novels. It’s my little secret.

5. Nearly every night we experience something: dreams. Dreams can be outrageous, distressing, or creative. Try writing about your dream to stir up creativity.

6. What about the silver linings or blessings in your life? Writing about them can be inspiring and uplifting. That type of writing really jumpstarts the creative juices, making one feel that anything is possible. Because it is.

As my readers know, my heroine, Corrie Locke, always brings criminals to justice. Even if she has to take a few wrong turns first. Corrie is adept at capturing public enemies and foes. But what about other kinds of foes, like fear, anger, anxiety? Inner foes that need to be overcome for us (and fictional characters) to make progress.

In Corrie’s case, she sometimes suffers from preconceived, negative notions about people; she doesn’t give them a fair chance. Her suspicious nature stems from living a case-cracking life, but she’s tapering it down. Lately (in MURDEROUS MEANS), she’s been giving suspects a chance to prove they’re not as bad as she thinks. She’s growing in the right direction.

Are we growing in the right direction? Here are a few steps that help overcome pesky negative inner foes:

– Slowing down
Slowness helps us cultivate patience – outside events don’t bother us as much when we exercise patience. Inner turmoil becomes easier to diffuse. Patience nurtures persistence; it’s necessary to outwit inner foes. Without patience and persistence, Corrie would be out of a job.

– Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm gives us the attitude we need – in fact, it keeps fear, anxiety, and anger at bay. Did you know that dolphins are considered one of the happiest animals on earth? At least that’s the vibe they put out there. Imagine if we felt that way, all the time – there’d be little space for negative emotions.

– Self-control
Bluebirds have self-control. I’ve watched them in action. A nest sat right next to our vegetable garden. When we interrupted them at feeding times, they patiently waited, undisturbed, until we moved away, then calmly fed their young. Their hearts never seemed troubled. Okay, I don’t really know if that’s true, but it appeared that way to me. Fear and worry didn’t run their lives.

A very learned person once said: “Use every moment of activity as a stepping stone to where you’d like to be.”

The other day, as I washed the eggs I’d collected from our energetic and chipper hens, a gentle wave showered over me. Not from the kitchen sink faucet; more like a wave of appreciation. The best part of having eggs is the opportunity to share this bounty with family, friends, and neighbors. Just about anyone. It’s a delight and a wonderful feeling.

Some of the best parts of life involve sharing:

– Sincere smiles
– Sweet words
– Pleasant experiences
– Delicious meals
– A helping hand

And so much more. Sharing opens our hearts to experiencing the joy of thinking of others. Of realizing the importance of extending a hand. This joy increases tenfold when no strings are attached. This writer experiences a bit of this joy every time a book I’ve completed is released into the world. Kind of like watching a flock of doves take flight into freedom.

Some doves will make it, some may not. Others will fly higher and some only as high as a telephone pole. But watching them soar or sit, the gentle fluttering and cooing gives me a sensation of peace. Just by being there, existing, may be enough. Writing a novel to completion, and then sharing it, is truly sensational.

To be successful is to be helpful, caring, and constructive, to make everything and everyone you touch a little bit better. – Norman Vincent Peale

Isn’t that what we writers aim to do? In our cases, we’re not necessarily making things better in the sense of upliftment (although we could be), but perhaps we’re making things better in the sense of providing adventures, escape, and relief from worldly cares and reality. When I need a break, that’s where I retreat to – deep inside a book. And when I emerge, I feel better.

My heartfelt thanks to all the writers whose words have carried me away to other places and situations, and thanks to all my readers who take the time to experience my words and adventures. Sharing can be a bit of a thrill.