Creating an atmosphere of creativity begins and ends with knowing WHO you are and WHOSE you are.
There’s a difference between your environment and atmosphere. Let’s take care of the environment first by discovering your writer’s identity! WHO are you?
Questions to ask yourself: Are you a creature of habit? Should you write in the same place every day or do you need to switch up your environment weekly? Are you a table/desk writer or do you tend to get more accomplished while sitting on your bed or on the floor? Do you like writing indoors or does being outside provide an extra burst of energy and creativity? Are you easily distracted at home? Do you need to stay away from your bedroom and write in your office, kitchen, or living room? Are you easily distracted in general? Do you need to isolate yourself from people and turn all your electronics off or on do not disturb? Or will an accountability partner/group work better? A distraction-free environment is imperative when creating an atmosphere of creativity. Have you tried writing at the library? Do you prefer writing via your computer? Or are you more traditional and still prefer pen and paper? What scents stimulate your creativity? Are you burning candles? Do you like natural light or lamps better?
What are you listening to? Do you prefer writing in silence? Are natural noises your thing? What about music? Lyrics or instrumentals? Is the music playing softly in the background or are you blasting it loudly in your headphones? Do you like listening to podcasts, sermons, or interviews while writing? Are you eating/snacking? Etc., etc., etc.
There are many contributing factors when identifying the type of writer you are, but acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses will only benefit you along your journey.
Once you’ve discovered your writer’s identity, creating an atmosphere of creativity becomes a bit easier. As Christian writers, the “Whose” mentioned in the beginning is easy. God is our partner (or as the Bible says, our co-laborer) in every area of our lives. And because of this relationship, there are certain steps we can take to allow His precious Holy Spirit to set an atmosphere of creativity.
Step 1: Before you begin writing, PRAY. Talk to God, surrender the day and moment over to Him, and don’t forget to listen and ask Him what does HE want you to write about. Remember, prayer is a conversation with God. He will talk back.
Step 2: Worship. Music does not only play a part in setting the tone of environments, but it also plays a part in shifting atmospheres. Even if you only take a few minutes to sit in worship before writing, it will change everything. Watch…the words will just flow from your mind through your fingertips.
Step 3: I know this may sound weird, but – fasting can contribute to setting an atmosphere of creativity. Biblical fasting is to abstain from food and replace those eating moments with prayer, praise, and worship. It places you in alignment with God and opens you up to keenly hear and receive from Him.
Step 4: Forgive. Did you know that your heart posture plays a part in both your creativity and the purity of your atmosphere? Unforgiveness is not just a blessing-blocker, it’s a creativity-stopper. Unforgiveness can clog up your spiritual ear from hearing God clearly and receiving direct downloads from Him.
If you are a Christian woman looking for a community of like-minded women who have already, or are currently, navigating the territory of their personal writing journies – join us over at Pretty is a Ministry – an online community specifically created for Christian Women Authorpreneurs who prioritize God and their books, brands, and businesses.
