The One in Which Erin Finally Finishes Her Novel

So. It finally happened.

Yes, I, Erin Marie, of the smol book people, on the gorgeous day of May 2, 2020, finally Finished My Novel.

*Tosses confetti into the air and starts a dance party in the comments*

As lighthearted as I'm being, finishing writing my book is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life so far.

This ridiculous novel planted itself as a tiny idea in my teenage brain back in the tender old days of 2008 (a simpler time). Back then, I still had an iPod nano, an affinity for Aeropostale, and was worried about starting high school. Over time, as I grew as a person, so did my book. It morphed and changed over many drafts over many years.

After working on this book off and on for over a decade (largely due to procrastination, unnecessary rewrites, and my stubborn refusal to let it go), I could feel that it was time to finally finish it.

And now I have! Praise God. I seriously cannot describe what a mental weight off me this is. Maya Angelou really said it best: "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." For so long, that was me.

Image credit.

Kindreds: A Blurb

I'm not great at creating a book summary, but I shall give it a go. In short, my novel follows a family that travels back to their hometown after ten years of living somewhere else. It's about their adventures in the small town over the course of one summer. There's romance, friendship, familial love, grief, and an overweight flat-face tabby cat. Yup.

The Pinterest board is here if you want to see more visual inspo I used for the book.

Select character mood boards are also up on my Pinterest. I don't know if it's just me, but I work really well when I have Pinterest boards and visuals. That's just the way my mind works.

My Facebook Status After Finishing My Book:

I finally finished my novel last night! 🥰 If you know me well, you've probably heard me mention it once vaguely and then immediately change the subject. This book has been a story I've been working on for so long, and procrastinating writing for even longer. I never thought that it would take a global pandemic to push me to finish it, but I'm so glad that it is now out of my frantic writer's brain and onto the page. (They grow up so fast!) Next up: Editing and rewriting this first draft til it's logical and coherent. Send music recommendations. And coffee. 😁💜

It was very emotional to complete that last chapter.

I may have misted up. The characters in this novel have been a part of me for so long, and it's a bittersweet feeling to let go of them and finish their story. But it was necessary.

Image credit.

Right now, I am slowly working on editing my book, a process that I anticipate will take some time.

I wrote the majority of the book during quarantine(!!), and was working on it for hours each day, so it's safe to say that it was an all-consuming project. Part of me wants to power through the edits right away, but I also think there's value in stepping away from the story and revisiting it with brand new eyes (kudos to you if you caught my Paramore reference).

The only other novel-sized manuscript I wrote was in the seventh grade.

It was a story about a middle school superhero and was roughly one fifth the size of Kindreds. That is my only other experience with writing a full-length thingamabob, so editing this book is going to be a massive undertaking.

Which brings me to you, dear blog friends!

What advice do you have for me, O Wise Ones of the Word? I have limited experience with what happens after finishing a first draft - my #1 goal was always just to write the whole thing. What's your process for novel editing? Send help??

Feel free to leave any suggestions or ideas you might have below in the comments! (Please?) Sending back hugs and chocolate cake.

Don't dream it's over,
E

Goodbye, Groundhog Day

This is the smol writing cabin I sometimes write about in posts. Spent a couple of days there quarantining and trying to put words on the page with my novel.

 There is no better way to describe the month of April than "Groundhog Day." Due to quarantine, it has felt largely like I've been living the same day over and over again. When I look back on April 2020 years from now, it is likely I will remember a lot of time spent indoors, searching for jobs, and novel writing (read also: crying, oops). 

Needless to say, April was not my favorite, though this month has found me getting closer to the Lord and taking steps of faith, for which I am so, so grateful.

I attempted a Domestic Pursuit and made boxed blueberry muffins the other week (it's a start). They were good! It's weird how something as simple as baking (and licking the batter bowl) can put me in good spirits.

In a way, April was ripping off the Band-Aid of my comfort zone. It was me pouring my heart out to God, securing a new job after a season of uncertainty, getting close to completing the novel I've been trying to write for years, and soon, Lord willing, moving to an apartment. It's all a fresh start. I've been listening to a lot of records again, which I somehow got out of the habit of, and one of the lyrics that's piercing me is from the band Whitney's second album:

"Tell me everything is just beginning, I don't feel alive but I've been living. Back when we were young, we would ride. Though the changes come, you'll get by. Anything could happen."

That's oddly how I feel now, entering May: Anything could happen. Maybe before that would have paralyzed me. I'll probably still have bad days, but I feel good things ahead for May. Starting a new job and moving out during Super Dark Pandemic Times might sound crazy, but this whole journey has been about faith and trusting God for me. Staying safe and smart, of course, but not fearful. I'm trying not to be afraid anymore, which is something that used to really take root in my life.

I'll still have my moments. I'll still miss people. I'll still look back on the past with rose-colored glasses, as I always have, but now it's time to go. It's time for a NEW THING.

Ok, but a NEW THING doesn't mean I'll stop listening to old favorites (I see you, Avril).

I hope all of you are doing well, taking heart! That this time has given you a chance to reassess what is most important to you. For me, I realized that I want a slower, simpler pace of life. I want to trust the Lord more, and to listen to more music, to write daily, to take steps of faith, and to drink only decaf coffee. To read more books. What have you learned during quarantine? Let me know in the comments!

"I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord." - Ezekiel 34:15

Current Favorites: This song (*tears up*) | Also this one (my mood) | Reading outdoors

Entering a new season,
E

VOICE | It's Not Too Late: Don't Let Perfectionism Stifle Your Words

On Tuesday, I sat down with a woman I'd never met before and listened as she told me stories about places and faces half a world away. I was interviewing her for a podcast series at my job, but we talked about so much more than the questions on my list. In that hour, she taught me about perseverance, how you've got to continue to move forward even when your spirit is crushed, how you must keep on using your VOICE even when it feels like you're shouting into the void.

When I meet people like that, it just lights something up inside of me.

I couldn't help but think of this space, and my own little assortment of words. I thought about all that I want it to be, and how I want it to matter, even if it's not there yet. That's been something that's been stewing on my mind for a while - blogging (or just writing in general) and perfectionism. It's something some of you have shared that you struggle with, too. It's the post I've been trying to write as I sit in coffee shops, but, ironically, it never comes out sounding right.

It's taken some time, but I'm realizing that my fear of not having the perfect words (or the perfect blog) shouldn't be enough to stifle my VOICE.

To you worrying if your novel is good enough, if you should just quit writing, if your blog is pointless, or if your VOICE even matters: It does. You do. Just the other day I was thinking about how intricate the world is, how there are so many of us on Earth, but how each one of us has a personal impact. Only you know the people you know, and only you can reach them. When your best friend calls you crying or your sister has a panic attack, they are not looking for Perfect Words. They just need you, your true and authentic self.

Often I think that the biggest blessing comes when we have doubts,
but we write the thing anyway.

When we share our VOICE in a post or a text. When we write the book even as our hands tremble. When we take a step of faith and believe in ourselves and hit that big orange Publish button. I think often times there is opposition and difficulty in getting that message into the world simply because someone out there needs it. Even if it's you.

So that's what this is.

April, all of it. The VOICE theme. It's refusing to give up even when it feels like I don't have the pretty words or motivation to keep bringing words into this space. It's waking up and writing my novel and having a good laugh at what I wrote even thought it's just me and the word doc. It's forgetting about page views and just pouring out my heart. It's believing that the Lord gave me the love of writing for a reason and that it's never too late to Do the Thing. And it's not too late for you, either.

What about you?

What has been holding you back from sharing your VOICE? What would you write and say and do if you were completely unafraid? Wishing you a wonderful Easter, my dudes.

Miss the last VOICE post? Check it out here.
Or click here to read all of the posts in the VOICE series.

VOICE | Hello, April: Introducing a New Theme

If March was a month of taking a step back from writing to focus on the ESSENTIALS of life, then I want April to be filled with words.

Words, loads of them, rough draft sentences or polished phrases, I want them all. This month, I don't want to let my focus shift to perfectionism and hold me back from actually Writing the Things. My words may not be perfect every time, or even some of the time, but they're still my words, and I'd rather write them and express them then keep them neatly folded into unread pages and unpublished drafts.

So: I am hitting publish on this post in hopes that declaring April as a writing month will inspire me to follow through and make it work!

The theme for this month is VOICE. With my April posts, I want to celebrate everything expression, whether that takes the form of music or writing or speaking words of encouragement into someone's life. More to come soon, but for now, enjoy your April, hug a friend, and remember to go outside and sit in the sunshine for a bit, because that can do wonders for the soul.

What about you?

What are you looking forward to in April - any special goals? The picture up above was from the Hozier concert, by the way, which was EPIC, my word! P.S. If you have any post ideas you'd like me to write up this month, I'd love to hear them. Until next time, friends!

NOURISH | My #1 Tip for Learning How to Love Your Writing

Earlier this week, I was holed up in my room, writing my novel,

when I realized the impossible: I was actually enjoying myself.

This might sound ridiculous if you are genuinely pretty confident about your writing, or if you really dig in and lose yourself in your story. While I have moments like that now, for a while there, I felt really stressed about my novel.

I struggled to enjoy crafting my own specific story because I was constantly thinking with the end in mind: When is this project going to be finished? Will this ever get published? What will people think of my words? What if they're absolute garbage?

When I realized that I was legitimately enjoying writing my book, even in its (very) rough draft form, I knew something had changed.

It wasn't my story. It's still in shambles, with lots of editing left ahead of it (bless). No, it was my perspective. *Light bulb* I was no longer writing to please others, or to meet a deadline, or because I felt I had any semblance of responsibility to anyone or anything.

Simply, I was writing for moi. And it was awesome.

Perhaps this is something you have known for a while and you are reading this thinking, "Duh, Erin! Write for yourself. Enjoy the process already." And to that I say, wow, you're totally right. But also, WHO ARE YOU. Somewhere along the way (and I suspect comparison plays heavily into this), I lost a little bit of the wonder of novel writing and instead started to think about the end result and what other people would think of my words (ew). So I tried to write Really Resonant Prose (double ew), but it just came off feeling inauthentic to my voice.

Hear me out: Trying to sound like someone else is exhausting.

In writing for myself I realized that my writing voice is a bit weird. (Big surprise.) It's a little humorous, a little out there, and if I don't sound like some of my favorite writers (I totally don't), THAT'S OK. I sound like me. I'm the only one who can. So why has it taken me so long to embrace that?

Once I was able to put aside the all-consuming thought that Real Live Humans will read my novel one day (oof, my child), I started to sound like myself and have fun.

Does a character seem too flat? Let's give them a love of opera and rainbow sock hats. Are certain scenes too introspective? Let's add some Stellar Quips. I just started doling out ridiculous sentences into this story like Oprah gifting people new cars. 

After all, how can you expect another lovely soul to enjoy your writing if you (its metaphorical mother or father) aren't having fun with it? If it's not authentic to you?

Y'all: YA GOTTA LOVE IT. That's my number one tip: Write for yourself, and the joy that encouraged you to write the story in the first place will nourish your heart and actually make you a better, more genuine writer. So let yourself write that really indulgent, cheesy first draft. And then edit it to pieces.

What about you?

Have you ever struggled to enjoy your own writing, and if so, what has helped you nourish your process? And if you could describe your own writing style in an aesthetic, what would it be? Thanks for reading, as always!

This is the last post in the NOURISH series!

Click here to browse through all the posts in the series.

I'll see you all in February to reveal a new theme!

The Creatives Project #2: Evangeline Yackel

Hello, friends!!

Welcome back to the second installment of the Creatives Project! The series kicked off with the wonderful Julia Ryan and continues with the gloriously creative and whimsically hilarious Evangeline of An Odd Blog. Be sure to stop by her blog and show her some love! And now, without further ado....

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS!

Who or what inspires you to create?

"I get inspired by two people: Myself and God. God inspires me everyday in so many ways, but especially with writing. He is the ultimate wordbuilder, plotter and reviser. He was in love with His characters before anyone else. I know this is the cheesiest Christian writer thing to say, but it's true. Whenever I look around at the world, I try to remember that He created everything from nothing. He had no point of reference or something else to build on. It was all pure inspiration. When I put it in that perspective, my own writing struggles seem to melt away and I am filled with inspiration."  

What time of day do you do your best creative work?

Source: Pinterest

"I like to think that I'm one of those creative geniuses who write feverishly into the night, fueled by caffeine, but alas, I go to bed by 10:30 every night, and fall asleep at my computer if I stay up any later. I get my best creative work done between the hours of 7-10 a.m."

What has been your biggest challenge in your own creative journey?

"They say that writing is a lonely career, and it's very true. As much as I love my family, they all don't know the first thing when it comes to writing, so I always end up babbling about something novel-related, and they nod along. I've had to learn how to edit, rewrite, push through plot holes, how to do everything all on my own. I'm sure that's the case with a lot of writers. It's an isolating job, and I've had to word hard to not get used to that isolated feeling and stay there forever."

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

"Because I am pretty sure that everyone knows the best flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip. It has been my favorite for as long as I can remember, and it ain't about to change. I am very passionate in my love for Mint Chip."

(SAME, GIRL, SAME.)

What do you do when you're in a creative rut or have writer's block?

Source: Pinterest

 "I haven't been in a creative rut in a long time for two reasons:

I treat myself kindly. It's been quite the process to let go of the sky-high expectations of myself (which was why I used to get writer's block all the time), and treat myself with some kindness. I give myself a lot more room for relaxation. My outlook on productivity is that as long as I'm moving forward, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, it makes the day worthwhile. Lack of pressure lets the creative juju flow easier (I don't know what "creative juju" means, but let's just go with it).

I quickly figure out what's stopping me up. On the rare occasion that I do find myself in a creative rut, I figure out what the issue is. For me, it's never just being drained creatively, it's always for another reason. So I figure out why, fix it (which sometimes involves curling in a ball and crying), and move on."

What is your favorite season?

"If I could live in a world of winter, I would. The White Witch had the right idea: casting a world into eternal ice and cold. #Lifegoals"

Evangeline's Advice for Creatives:

Source: Pinterest

"You are not doing this to please anyone else. It doesn't matter what people say or think. The advice "Write the book you want to read" gave me the book I'm proudest of. If you want to write a book that you think no one else will want to read, go for it. If you want to bake a zucchini chocolate pizza, do it. If you want to knit socks for lizards, reach for the stars. Just because someone else doesn't agree with or understand it doesn't mean that it is not valid and amazing. ALSO: Don't be afraid to be proud of your work. I know so many people who always shrug off compliments because they don't want to seem arrogant. Accept the compliment. Acknowledge that your work is good."

A huge thank you to Evangeline for being a part of the Creatives Project! Your answers were super enlightening and witty. Love it! Don't forget to check out Evangeline's blog here!

Would you like to be the next blogger featured in the Creatives Project? Check it out here! How do you power through a creative rut? And do you also love Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream as much as Evangeline and I do? ♥

Unplugging: How Do You Live the Slow-Paced Life?

Hi, friends!

I hope you all had a restful three-day weekend! Me and my Mom hightailed it to the writing cabin this weekend for running, reading and relaxing. (And also listening to the new Taylor Swift album, which I can confidently say is a SOLID BOP.) Being away from my usual tech-filled surroundings for a little bit has got me thinking even more about social media and what it means to live a slow-paced life.

Here's What I've Learned:

I rely on technology a lot for entertainment. Being away from a stable internet connection made me realize just how much I am always checking my notifications. Like, constantly. Being without the internet forced me to do things that I usually tell myself I don't have the time for - like writing my novel (*ahem*), reading, taking walks, reading the Word and going for a run.

Doing nothing is underrated.

Often I feel like I have to be productive or doing something meaningful at all times, but there's something to be said for just recharging. It reminds me of this verse:



Contemplating clouds and counting your blessings sound like such cliche ways to unwind, but these are a couple of things that made this weekend so peaceful and whole.

Also, a salted caramel cookie skillet from Outback. WOWZA

It's okay not to share everything. Living slow-paced for a couple of days showed me just how plugged-in and update-hungry I am sometimes. I don't need to share everything, nor do I always need to know what everyone else is up to! It's fun to share, of course, but there is also something blissful in relishing a moment and forgetting about the online world...

...because the offline world can be a pretty amazing place, too. On Saturday I went for a run on a nature trail and I didn't see a single person, only one solitary deer hiding in the trees. (Same.) I found myself praising God for the sky and the trees and mornings. Nature is such a wonderful re-energizer. ♥

What about you?

Do you have a favorite way to decompress from the fast-paced life? Are you reading anything awesome currently? Have you listened to Taylor Swift's new album yet? ONCE AGAIN, IT'S A BOP

On Distractions: The Love and Lure of Social Media and the Interwebz

Hi, friends!

I probably shouldn't be blogging right now because of NaNoWriMo (updates to come), but yo, I HAVE SOME THOUGHTS. Ironically, they are on social media and the internet, the two things that probably have the most potential to derail my NaNo process this November.

Actual Footage of My Writing Process:

7:03 a.m. Hmm, I should write. I should just get my thoughts out in the open before any other distractions hit me today.

7:06 a.m. *sits down at computer* Look at me, I'm a writer. I'M WRITING

7:08 a.m. Ooh, just a quick internet search for Research Purposes Only. *checks Twitter*

7:11 a.m. Okay, okay, back to writing.

7:12 a.m. *checks blog* *scans Pinterest*

10:00 pm. *cries*

Yo, the internet can be a real temptation. But it's not just that social media and the interwebz are a distraction to my writing (and probably a lot of yours as well), but it's also the fact that they can become such easy ways for me to entertain myself when I don't have anything else to do.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I've been thinking about how much time I spend blogging, writing my next post, posting on Instagram, creating an aesthetic, using social media to its Full Potential, etc., etc. It's exhausting.

And that's not even to speak about the comparison issues that can come along with social media or updating your life on the internet.

I just want to be in the mountains, the woods.

For me, one great way to remedy internet overkill is TO GO OUTSIDE. I know it seems like a simple and obvious solution, but there is so much richness to be found in the physical world. The earth, the trees, the sun, the sky. The stars! All of it. I want to stand in awe of God and His creation more than I contemplate myself and social media.

I was going to pepper this post with tips and how-to's,
but yo, I don't have it all figured out.

I am still learning what unplugging and taking time away from the computer, the internet, social media and even my novel looks like. What a slow-living, park-walking, Bible-reading Erin looks like, and how she can better serve others around her.

What about you?

Do you ever get tired of technology? I'm there, my friends. I HAVE HIT MAXIMUM INTERNET CAPACITY. Any tips for unplugging? Thanks for reading!

NaNoWriMo is Here: What Are You Writing?

YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS

October is over and NaNoWriMo is here! I must admit that I was a little bit nervous to start writing a story for this year's National Novel Writing Month, but after a little planning and a whole lot of Pinterest, I am #ReadyForThis. Well, maybe. In an effort to actually make myself follow through and write this book, I thought I'd share a little bit about my novel-to-be with you guys. And I want to hear about yours, too! ♥

The Novel: "Dreamland"

Okay, so I didn't realize I was actually going to feel really self-conscious telling you guys about my novel? Who knew! Dreamland is about family, forgiveness and, of course, pink. At least, that is the color the novel is presenting itself to me in - an aesthetic of crackly clouds, bitten, bleeding lips and soft mornings. A little grunge, a little cotton candy, and a whole lot of nostalgia. Pink.

The Plot

Dreamland is the story of Irene, a 20-something librarian who can make herself disappear. When a familiar face shows up on her door step one winter's evening, she is forced to confront her past and the family she left behind. There also might be a little bit of fantasy thrown in here? *Cue me blushing* *The cheese* *Oh my word*

Not Enjoying This

One thing I really hope to explore in this novel is magic realism, which is basically inserting magical and fantastical elements into a story's otherwise ordinary, every day events. I LOVE MAGIC REALISM. ♥ It's quirky and haunting, which is the vibe I'm after with Dreamland. We'll see what happens!

 Soundtrack

I have been listening to so many albums in preparation for writing this novel, it's insane. One thing I hope to do either in or after November is sync up certain albums and songs to be the "themes" of different characters. (I'll keep you posted on that.) Right now, a lot of the inspiration for Dreamland in general has come from music by Beach House, Soko, Max Richter, etc.

Characters

  

Irene is on the left, Law (Lawrence) on the right. Still figuring these dudes out, but what I know for sure is that Law is super snarky and Irene is obsessed with nubby, over-sized Goodwill sweaters. I will discover them as I write, I promise there's more, but this is all I want to say for now.

What about you?

Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? What kind of story are you writing? I want to hear all of y'all's wonderful ideas! Not writing this year? Tell me how your Halloween went! Or what excites you about November!

7 Simple Ways to Stay Inspired for NaNoWriMo All November Long

Hello, humans!

Somehow, impossibly, we are 2 weeks away from NaNoWriMo! I don't know how we're halfway through October already, but here we are. I know a lot of the blogging community participates in National Novel Writing Month in November, but there can be a lot of stress involved in writing 50,000 words if you don't pace yourself. WE HAVE TO STAY CALM, PEOPLE. Here are 7 glorious ideas for staying inspired (and keeping your cool) all November long!

Make an Aesthetic Board

There is nothing harder than writing a book without visual inspiration! Pinterest is literally a lifesaver for these types of things - you can find all kinds of inspiring pictures of people, places or pithy quotes to capture the theme of your novel. This is the most recent board I made for my novel-to-be, Dreamland, and it is keeping me motivated. Bonus tip: Print out some of your favorite images and hang them on your bulletin board!

Create a Playlist

How can you be moved to write scenes without music? I don't know about you, but listening to music before or during my writing helps bring out the emotional intensity of my words and ideas. Use Spotify or iTunes to loop albums or handpick songs in a playlist. Or go old school and make a mix CD! AND THEN SEND IT TO ME IN THE POST I WANT TO HEAR THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

Branch Out a Little

Every now and then, find a new place to put down your pen. Sure, you can write at home or in the same old coffee shop as usual, but taking one day to visit a new writing spot can be inspiring! Treat yourself to a different kind of latte than you'd usually drink and try some place new. You never know who you might meet or what might inspire you!

Limit Your Social Media Time

It's great to communicate, but with all the words you'll be writing in November, you might need to step back. From your blog, from Twitter, from all semblances of reality and the life you had before...ALL OF IT, GONE. Just kidding! But don't waste precious creative juices, people. You need time to recharge and social media can be draining.

Don't Compare Yourself

Remember, this is for fun! A lot of the joy of NaNoWriMo can be connecting with other writers and discussing the writing process, but WOWZA, don't stress because you're not as far along as someone else. This is your story and your journey. Enjoy the month! And enjoy life. ♥

People Watch

This is an actual quote I overheard in the library one day....OUR?!

People say the darndest things, yo. My Creative Writing professor said something in my freshman year of college that has always stuck with me: "Always have a little notebook on hand to write down ideas." You will be surprised at how little details and snatches of conversation can find their way into your novels! I have a bunch of mini notebooks that I rely on whenever I need a character name or pancreas-related line of dialogue.

SLEEP

I think this one speaks for itself.

What about you?

How do you stay inspired during NaNoWriMo? Have you ever participated before? Tell me all about the novels you are planning to write, friends!

how to be creatively productive

So the other day I attempted to write the second chapter of my novel. 

HA!

In forty-five minutes' time, I eeked out a total of three (incomplete) sentences, none of which vaguely resembled human speech. Yep, that's right: I ended up lying on my couch while all productive lifeblood drained away from my limp, lifeless body.

In an attempt to Stimulate Productivity, and to help all you writers/bloggers/painters/musicians/sculptors/late-night-editing weepers out there, I give you:

ERIN'S GLORIOUS GUIDE TO 
UTILIZING PRODUCTIVITY AND CREATIVITY* 

*EGG TUPAC for short.
Click here for a motivational picture of said egg.

#rememberyourgoals #gah #notmyphoto #thethingsyoufindontheinterwebz #doublegah

NEVER FEAR: CREATIVE PRODUCTIVITY IS HERE!

1. Get Good Sleep: I know that getting good sleep might seem like the last thing you want to do, especially when your novel is just begging for you to write it til 3 in the morning (been there). But your body has to come first, and as I've learned, when your body ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Seriously though, sleep will make you feel like A RADIANT HUMAN.
And Radiant Humans accomplish their creative goals. Just sayin'.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." 

~ Robert Frost

NO ROBERT, SLEEP NOW

2. Pray: When writing a blog post or a song or attempting to crank out even three measly sentences for my novel, I ask God to write through me and give me ideas (which is a prayer He's answered in super cool ways). 

"Everybody born comes from the Creator trailing wisps of glory. We come from the Creator with creativity." 

~ Maya Angelou

3. Take Frequent Walks: YES CHILD. It is so vital to get moving. I'm convinced that we lose all productivity when we try to sequester ourselves in our creative nooks and never leave. You need to interact with people and nature to get fresh ideas. Your mind needs to relax.

"It is the marriage of the soul with Nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination." 

~ Henry David Thoreau

HENRY DAVID KNEW WHAT WAS UP, YO

4. Music, Music, Music: When writing, music is VITAL. I like to listen to music that matches the scene but having some tunes that are wordless or otherwise hard to understand also help me to write. My current musical inspirations can be found here and here.

5. Nourishment: Once again, if your body ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. You need to constantly be drinking water and nourishing your body with healthy snacks so that you don't creatively crash. Reward yourself with yummy foods like mandarin oranges, Jazz apples (the best kind of apples tbh), or a granola bar.

"I ♥ food." 
~ Moi

6. Vary Your Medium: Your brain can get grumpy if you focus too much on one project. Keep your mind guessing by writing a blog post,  then editing a chapter, writing a song, or painting for twenty minutes. That way, you make progress on many different creative endeavors without beating up your brain.

YOU + A HAPPY BRAIN = SUCCESS

(Thought about using this gif but it's just a little too traumatizing.)

If all else fails, use The Secret Weapon:

COMMENCE CREATIVE PRODUCTIVITY

+ What about you? How do you get out of a creative slump? 
Any advice on, say, how to Actually Write Your Novel Like You Said You Would?