NEW RELEASE!!!!
Catch the sparks you need to write, edit, publish, and market your
book!
• Spark One: Being a Writer
• Spark Two: Story Essentials
• Spark Three: A Book’s Stepping Stones
• Spark Four: How To
• Spark Five: Character ER
• Spark Six: Editing
• Spark Seven: Publishing
• Spark Eight: Marketing
• Spark Nine: Writing About
• Spark Ten: Final Inspiration
With so much information, you’ll take notes, highlight, and flag pages to come back to again and again on your writing journey. Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo
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Creativity Boost from Your Power Element:
Creativity Boost from Your Power Element:
For me, a power element is an element that you’re connected to on a deeper level that can boost your creativity and inspire you when you write (or any other time). This does not mean you are an element (that’s silly) or that you control an element (that’s not possible). This just means there’s an element that moves you in some way more than the others.
This may not be for everyone, and that’s okay.
The Elements:
Earth
Air
Fire
Water
How to Determine Your Power Element:
To determine what your power element is, go to a place where you can experience each element. Stand on a hill on a breezy day, sit by the ocean, watch a blazing fire, or walk in a forest. Just relax and feel. Which element brings you peace, strength, and inspiration?
Don’t judge past experiences of loving the beach as a reason to pick water as your power element. Immerse yourself in EACH element one at a time and compare each experience.
Don’t judge past experiences of loving the beach as a reason to pick water as your power element. Immerse yourself in EACH element one at a time and compare each experience.
My Story:
I used to think earth would be my power element because of my deep love of trees and my enjoyment of gardening. Nope. My power element is fire. I feel comfortable and confident wearing shades of red, can meditate easily by looking into a candle flame, and I write so well while listening to the sounds of a campfire.
Coincidently, fire is an element I have the most experience with and fear the most, due to the brush fire that threatened my childhood home when I was a kid. That experience influenced Flaming Crimes.
Now, I listen to campfire sounds while writing and editing, I use candle flames to meditate, and wear red more often. Fire inspires me with my work, helps me to concentrate, and makes me feel confident.
But I still like to be around nature, stare at ocean waves, and dance to my own rhythm (air). I even listen to windchime music. It’s my second favorite meditative music to write and edit to. I chose one or the other depending on my mood.
Boost Your Creativity with Your Power Element by...
1. Listening to meditative music for that element as you pursue a form of art.
2. Writing in a place where you can be closer to that element. (By a fireplace, in a park, by a pond, on the…roof. lol)
3. Wearing the color associated with that element when you write or have to be authorly, perhaps for a public event. Earth – Green, Air – Yellow, Fire – Red, and Water – Blue.
4. Putting an image of your power element above your computer that you can gaze at while you daydream about your story's plot.
Whatever your power element is, experiment with music, colors, locations, and images associated with that element. See if it boosts your creativity or inspires you in some way. If it doesn’t, that’s all right. If it does, neat!
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Support for Fellow IWSGer!
C. Lee is going through a tough time. Let's show her some love! This is her new release. Some Very Messy Medieval Magic!
There’s only one solution - fledgling wizard Pete must take the page’s place. Accompanied by Weasel and Fanon, Pete’s alligator familiar, they travel to 1173 England.
But what if the page remains lost - will Pete know what to do when the critical moment arrives? Toss in a grumpy Fanon, the duke’s curious niece, a talking horse, and the Circle of Stones and Pete realizes he’s in over his young wizard head yet again... Amazon / Nook / Kobo / iTunes
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GIVEAWAY
Open to all from June 4th 2018 – July 6th 2018
118 comments:
I don't think you're weird at all. It's good to try new things (like exploring elements) that can help focus and support your creativity. Huge congrats on your new release!
Congrats to you and thank you for featuring Lee's book.
I wear greens well, but my element would be water. As a photographer, I'm fascinated by water and will take a ton of photos of a water element.
You wrote much sense there Chrys. great tips and those elements are so very true. I send my condolances to C. Lee Mckenzie, at such a sad time in her life.One I can relate to. I do sincerely hope her book does well.
Yvonne.
My element is definitely water. Congratulations on your new book! And here's to our dear Lee. May she find balance and solace in her life as she moves through this transition.
So interesting, Chrys! I know I always feel better, calmer at the beach, and I love the sounds of waves and flowing water. Not sure if it's my element necessarily but it brings me peace.
Congrats on the new release!
I'm going to plug your 'sparks' book! It's wonderful, everyone. Chrys has created a fantastic writing resource. You'll love it! <3
Congratulations on the release.
I believe in a rock to stand on, but green is not my color. Is there a black?
Congrats on the new release! :) You're not weird at all. The sound of water always relaxes me. So I'm either water or earth. I do love being out in the woods and on the mountains.
Thanks, Ellen! I love to try new things to spark creativity. :)
Thank you, Diane! :)
Water calls to you as a photographer. That's great. You should try listening to water meditation music while you write/edit and see how it worked for you. :)
Thanks, Yvonne. And I know C. Lee appreciates your words.
Thank you, Bish! And thanks for your beautiful words to Lee.
You're like my mom. She used to have cassette tapes with sounds of the ocean she'd listen to while going to sleep at night. :)
Thank you, Madeline!
Thank you so much for the endorsement, S.A.! And for plugging my book. I greatly appreciate your support. :)
Thank you!
Well, brown could be an alternative to represent earth.
Thank you, Christine! To me, it sounds like earth calls to you, but that's up for you to explore. If you test it out more, let me know which element is stronger. :)
I think I am...connected to one element over another. I think mine is water. I wish I lived on the water. I love boating. And yet I cannot swim to save my life--literally.
Teresa
T
Congratulations on your release!
I'd probably choose water as my element. Though I'm a fire sign in Western astrology, and have several other placements in Sagittarius, they're rather masked by Pisces. The year I was born, Neptune (ruler of Pisces) was directly influencing Sagittarius, which means all my Sagittarius placements have a strongly Piscean feel. I've always loved the sea, lakes, rivers, and pools.
Earth, air, water, fire ... For me, eliminating fire would be easy since looking at flames, even candlelight, can trigger a migraine. But after that, I'm stuck. I love hiking in the woods, love the freedom of swimming weightless, and love dreams of flying. Actual flying in planes? Argh. Too stressful.
Congrats on your new book! That's awesome.
That is fascinating! I can't swim, either. But I don't feel a connection to water. The fact you do says something. :)
Funny enough, I'm also a fire sign...Aries.
It does sound like water was slipped into your astrological placements.
Thank you, Carrie-Anne!
LOL! You could try exploring each one individually for a day or two and see which one calls to you the most.
Thank you, Tamara!
Christ is the Living Water, so I'm def connected to water!! Besides, I love oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds, you name it. Your book sounds excellent, especially the promo part. Hope you have good success with it!
How is it you can fit everything about marketing into a single chapter? ;) LOL.
Love the elements...Immediately I would think water...but your comment about trees, I love trees, especially naked ones made me think Earth, then your comment about fire made me wonder, we have a fireplace and I am the firebug and can become mesmerized watching it. You have given me something to think about, but then, you usually do whenever I visit. :-)
sherry @ fundinmental
I listen to a rain app at bedtime and sometimes while I write, depending on the scene. I do my best writing on rainy days. I know I’m weird, haha! They have a name for people like me. It’s called pluviophile.
Maybe a little crazy :) I can't work with music on, so that part is moot, but I do go to mountains or ocean for inner peace. Not necessarily to turn on my creativity, but to boost sanity/quiet the crazies. I don't write in the mountains, though, since I'm usually too busy hiking and photographing (or napping. I do love an afternoon nap in my tent near an alpine lake... ).
Wonderful post Chrys, I always feel better when I'm near mountains, or water, be it a river or a beach.
Lee's book sounds amazing.
I'm always drawn to woods, trees are very powerful. But I like looking into a fire too and candles, hmm interesting to think about. Lee's book sounds good, wishing her all the best. Interesting post, Chrys.
Congrats Chrys and Lee on the new releases. I would have said my element is water. I find rain relaxing and comforting. The sound of the ocean peaceful. But, since you made a point I will give it some more thought. I tend to wear more purples and/or black, but am told pink and red suit me. I also like wearing green.
Congrats on your new release!
Choosing which element is most inspirational to me would be as difficult as choosing my favorite kind of seafood. My first inclination would be to yell, "Water!" because I've always felt a special affinity for it, and am most at peace when gazing out over the ocean and feeling a primal unity with it. (One of my favorite CDs is called, "Endless Ocean," and it features the sounds of the surf combined with classical music.
BUT... the other elements elicit very strong visceral responses from me, too. Maybe I'm just a four-element floozy...
Because it's not really a single chapter. It's a section with several articles (which you could say are chapters). :)
Thank you, Jennifer! I'm especially proud of the marketing section. :)
I'm glad I gave you something to think about. ;) Sometimes, you might think you know what your element is, but until you explore them all you may be surprised to find you're more creatively connected to another.
That's not weird at all. I enjoy writing on rainy days, too. What's weird is that I love foggy mornings. lol
HAHAHA!!! I'll accept that. ;)
Maybe you cold bring a tiny journal on your hikes and see if you can pen some poetry or just jot down your thoughts when you take a break.
Congrats on the new release!! I'm also Aries - and fire suits me. I wear mostly black with red as an accent. Love winter and fireplaces - the heat, the scent, the crackling, the mezmerizing flames. I put thunderstorms on for background music while I work. I love gray, rainy days, but water does not otherwise define me.
I've always dreamed of writing in a cabin in the woods and near mountains. :)
Thank you, Rachna!
I love trees! I feel such a deep connection to them. I even love to photograph them.
Thanks, Suzanne!
Have fun exploring the other elements and see which one really inspires you. :)
Thanks, Juneta!
Thank you, Susan!
I have a connection with all elements, as we all should, but there just might be one with a stronger pull for us individually. You might be right that yours is water. Your soul will know. (That sounded very new-agey. lol)
congrats to you on your new book release - great sparks!
and i love elemental, gemstone, color, etc connections and inspirations. fun stuff
hope Lee and her book are doing well. I miss hearing from her.
happy Wed!
Tara Tyler Talks
You sounds a lot like me. I also love gray and rainy days, and of course love long baths, but water doesn't suit me.
Thank you, Lee!
Thank you, Tara!
Oh, I have a post coming up on Friday at Writers Helping Writers called Boost Your Creativity Naturally, which talks about gemstones, colors, etc. I'll pass it on to you. :)
I miss hearing from Lee, too.
I have a deep-seated love for growing things from flowers to veggies to fruits to trees, etc. Love working the ground and watching things grow so I think mine is Earth, but I also feel a strong connection to air and water. Good food for thought, Chrys! Congrats on the new release!
I love writing to sounds of space or caves through YouTube. First time I did it was for atmosphere and landed up hooked. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
This is so interesting! My first thought for my power element was water but then after reading the post I want to give it more thought. Thanks for sharing!
And congratulations on your new book. Yay!!!
Hmm, my element. But I like all those things! I guess I'll go with fire. We're all a little pyro, right? ;)
Congrats on the release! I'm pretty sure I'm Earth...although wind and water call me at times.
Congrats on the new release! I love the idea of finding a power element. I'll have to think of which one I am.
I'm so excited for your release and can't wait to be in on all the fun tomorrow!
I agree about the elements. I'm all about it. When I was struggling through one of the toughest times in my life, I gravitated towards water because it brought me so much comfort. I went to the beach, even on the coldest days (and I hate the cold!) because it filled me with peace. Now, on my desk sits a small wooden dish with sand and shells from the beach that I look at for inspiration. I love it!
Elsie
It's fun to think about the elements and how we connect to them, isn't it?
Thanks, Sandra!
I need to find space and cave sounds. I'm intrigued.
Definitely give it some more thought. Let me know what you discover. :)
Thank you, Julie!
It's good to like all of the elements...we all should. :)
Thank you, Tonja! All of the elements can call to us at different times, as they should. :)
Thank you, Cherie!
Have fun discovering your power element. :)
Thank you, Elsie!
A certain element can call to us at different phases of our lives, for sure. I believe it's because we need the attributes that element offers.
Grats on your new release! Your talk about elements made me think of my character Pintrest board.
Congratulations!!! Way to go!
You Pinterest board is awesome!
Thanks, Loni!
Thank you, Tyrean!
Congrats on your release!!! I've never thought about my element. I wouldn't even be able to guess what I would be.
I have always found pieces of Zoroastrianism (Parsi in India/Pakistan) interesting, especially the links to Fire, Earth, Water and Air. The first three of these are the title of a wonderful set of movies by an Indian Parsi film-maker. For me, one can't rule over an other and, which probably draws from my own Christian spirituality, I tend to celebrate the wind (the same word for Spirit) instead of air. I can write by the waters, in the desert, especially when it is windy, and always by a campfire.
Congrats on the new release.
The cat thinks you are very weird, but so is he, so that's not a bad thing lol
Sure wouldn't be earth for me. Screw nature, all the bugs and crap and...just blah. haha
Congrats on the release!
I think my element would be earth. Or air. Except I hate yellow. Ok, I have no idea!
Hi Chrys ... I'm late to this party - but yes good luck with the new release ... it looks as though it'll be a really good reference book - thanks for putting it together and letting us have access to it.
Element ... I should be earth as I was born there ... but love brighter colours ... pinks, turquoises et al ... cheering life on - cheers Hilary
Try connecting to each one for a day or two and see how you react to them.
I agree that all elements are equal. One element is not stronger than another.
Thanks, Pat!
I will take that from the Cat. lol
Thank you, Sarah!
HAHAHA!!!
Thanks, Hilary! And you're welcome! Making this book and having it available to everyone was a dream of mine.
You're not weird at all! I've had moments when I've felt pulled to all of the elements - mostly fire, but definitely the others as well. Water comes in at a close 2nd :)
Yes, I also feel pulled by the other elements, too. We're connected to them all. :)
Congrats on your book, Chrys. It sounds awesome. I think my element is water. I'm very at peace in the water. I hate wind.
Congrats on your new release! Sounds interesting. @mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
I'm a fire sign with a water sign moon and ascendent. Perhaps I should focus on steam ;)
Congrats on your new release.
As a chemist, I feel a bond with all four elements. which is probably why my writing space is decorated like a potionmaster's office. It puts me in the proper writing mood.
Ha, how weird do you think I am now?
Congrats Fey! I love reading fantasy novels that use the four elements.
I'm going to try that technique to see if one element means more to me than the others.
Your book sounds fascinating, Chrys. I LOVE that you are in tune with the elements. I'm pretty sure I'm water. And...after not being able to pick a favorite color all my life, I settled on blue:)
Both yours and C. Lee's are on my TBP list.
Wishing you much success.
Hugs to C. Lee.
Thank you, Susan! I enjoy the wind but not hurricane wind. lol
Thank you, Samantha!
Steam. lol I got a chuckle from that.
Thanks, Liz!
We should all feel a bond with each element in some way. :)
Not weird at all! :D
Thanks, Dolorah!
Coincidentally, I have a fantasy WIP that uses all four elements. ;)
Awesome!
Blue is a special color.
Thanks, Sandra!
I journal when backpacking, but admit it's mostly about routes and meals. I'm planning to try some writing this summer. My son does it, and does it well, so I'm hoping to imitate him a little!
First of all, congrats on your new release. I am so proud of you, and was thrilled to read the ARC and blurb. I hope it does very well.
Congrats as well to C. Lee. My heart goes out to her.
I love the element post--what a neat idea! As for me, I don't even have to think twice. It's water. I love earth and fire too, but I always wear ocean colors, I'm redesigning my house to look like a beach, I'm inspired by thunderstorms, my greatest desire is to move to an island where I can write overlooking the ocean, and I even write in the bath. Sometimes when it's really windy, I pretend the sound of the wind is ocean waves instead.
That would be a neat experience.
Thank you very much, J.H.! That praise coming from you makes me so happy. :)
I'm glad you like my post. And how cool to know your power element. I thought for sure mine was earth, which I still do feel a deep connection to and always will. I'd love to live in the woods in a small cabin. That's always been my dream.
Congrats on your new release Chrys. Awesome.
My element is definitely water. My writer's den overlooks the beach when I'm up at our beach house, and I go to the State Library in Brisbane when I'm down there and get a desk overlooking the Brisbane River. Awesome motivations. Great to know your element.
Wow! Awesome on the new book! I saw on Instagram! I wish I had the tote bag with me now!
Thank you, Denise!
Oh, a view of the beach while you write would be divine.
Thank you, Nas! The tote would certainly come in handy.
I think fire is my element. When I was little, my parents had a fireplace and would run that all winter. I could sit in front of it, soaking up the heat, and just be peaceful. I also would curl up in the chair next to it and read until I got sleepy then nap.
I don't think you're weird at all! I talk to chipmunks! LOL! Nature is the best!!!
Congrats on the new book!
Big Hugs!
I need to experiment to find my power element. It suspect that it may be water or fire...
I like the idea of listening to meditative music for that element while pursuing a form of art.
I love trying new things to boost creativity.
Congrats on the new book, Chrys!
Oh my gosh, Chrys. I talk to animals all the time. I enjoy their quizzical looks and no sass. All the luck with this launch. I'm on for the 12th of June and can't wait. Thanks for including Adventures in Writing on your blog tour.
Best wishes Chris for a smashing success for your latest and greatest release!
Congrats to both you and Lee on these great releases. I hadn't thought about which element I might associate with before - all those things can be inspiring, but I do really like the sound and sight of a crackling fire, too!
I'll have to try this power element thing. I love the ocean, but I also enjoy being in the woods.
That does sound peaceful. And cozy. I've always wanted to curl up in front of a fireplace with a book.
I would talk to chipmunks, too! :D
Thank you!
I listen to music all the time while I write. Mostly it has words, but I was pleasantly surprised how focused I was with the sounds of a campfire and wind chimes playing in my headphones.
Thank you, Michelle!
And thank you for signing up to help announce my release. I can't say enough how I appreciate your support. :)
Thank you so much, Stephen!
There's just something so hypnotic about fire. It can be fierce and relaxing.
Thanks, Nick!
I hope you do, Sherry. :)
Congrats on your newest book Chrys! It sounds really good! Now I'll have to think about my element…
Congratulations on the book! It looks like a very useful resource for writers. And my element would definitely be water. When I lived in Chicago, I used to sit by the lake for hours when it was warm out, and even sometimes when it was cold (I would just wear layers). Watching the water soothed me, as few other things did.
While I don't think I have a power element, I do agree that connecting or relating to elements can boost creativity. For some people, getting close to nature helps with writing, while others prefer the hustle and bustle of the city; in either of these locations one can still connect to the elements. I think it helps keep a writer grounded to reality so they can either embrace it or break it with imagination.
C. Lee's new book looks cute. I just finished one of her books and need to post a review. I hope she feels better soon.
Thank you, Mandy 'n' Justin!
Thank you so much!
Sitting by a lake sounds lovely.
Exactly! You said it so well. Elements can be found everywhere. Even within our own homes. We can connect to water by taking a nice, long bath. We can connect to fire by lighting candles or a fireplace. We can connect to wind by blasting a fan (haha), and we can connect to earth by adding plants to our atmosphere and desk.
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