by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

Deadlines can be such a creativity killer. Rush, rush, rush. Get something on the page. No, get something wonderful on the page. Now! I know I need to slow down and pace myself better to give creativity enough time and room to work. Do you?

In my ideal world, I mark afternoons on my calendar in which I do nothing except something relaxing and creative—like creating canvas art, making jewelry, or decorating a cake. We need those times. In reality, those moments become filled with to do’s that have been delayed and that desperately need to be accomplished. Then the demands of normal life scream for attention, like grocery shopping and washing the dishes. In the midst of a busy schedule, how can a writer spark creativity and nurture a mind and heart that are ready to write?

Try one or all of these five ideas to find refreshment and to prepare yourself to write. 

Spend time with God.

Whatever genre we write, this indispensable resource renews our souls and sparks our creativity. His Word refreshes our spirits with its promises and encouragement. Talking to God about life releases the tension in our hearts, and receiving His guidance shows us the next steps to take. 

God’s Word is not only a training manual for life, but also for writing. The themes and lessons that we see in the stories of the Bible are the same ones that shape stories today. Struggles for love, self-worth, and victory have new characters and endings, but every generation of real, and imagined, people are fighting similar battles. The greatest example of love and self-sacrifice by a hero is Jesus. Think about how many stories today, mirror aspects of the gospel and the church—victories worth fighting for and dying for, and a person or group of people determined not to let any obstacle stop them. 

God’s Word also illustrates principles that encourage and inspire each generation. The Bible shows us how to live life at its best, how to overcome trials and personal hang-ups, and how to walk in freedom. In it, we discover who we are in Christ, who God is, and how to know Him. Its 66 books or 1,189 chapters give enough writing inspiration to last our entire lives. Spending time with God in His Word and in prayer prepares us to write, to think like He thinks, and to love what He loves.

Go outside for ten minutes, and admire God’s creation. 

As spring approaches, warmer temperatures allow us to spend a little more time outside. On a nice day, walk down your driveway or sit on the back porch and listen. You may hear the hubbub of the neighborhood, but you may also hear birds singing, children playing, or the sweet stillness of nature. 

In her Soul Care series, Edie Melson recommends going outside and taking note of the beauty you see. What about God’s creation makes you smile? Inspires you? Makes you calm on the inside? Take that feeling back inside with you, and start to write.

Stretch your muscles, and listen to your favorite music.

At the beginning of your writing time, play some music on your phone or computer, and do a few stretches or exercises to loosen your muscles and get your blood flowing. (Of course, brief exercise plans approved by our doctors may work best.) Every morning, I enjoy doing a few Pilates exercises I learned from a DVD. Calisthenic exercises work, too. Exercising before we write helps us to feel more alert before we sit for a while, and the distraction of music can ease the stress of needing to meet a deadline. 

Read something precious to you.

It may be a verse in Scripture or a paragraph from your favorite author that sparks inspiration. My inspiration to write has come from passages in my favorite books and even a moving love letter that my great-grandmother wrote to her husband who had already gone to heaven. Find something that unleashes your emotions and calls you to do something for God, and keep a copy on your desk. Reading something that has had an impact on us may be the key to crafting a soul-stirring message for someone else. 

Remember why you’re doing this.

Why are you writing? Remembering why we’re writing, reignites our passion and strengthens our resolve to do the work. We don’t just want the name of being a writer. We want to write. We want to have a strong voice for God in this world. If God has called us to write and we don’t, something will be missing because He has a plan for our words. Let’s not ever miss out on it. 

Which of the ways above would prepare you to write? What other ways would you add? 

Katy Kauffman is an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies. She loves connecting with writers and working alongside them in compilations, such as Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character, which was a 2019 Selah Awards finalist and Director’s Choice finalist. Lighthouse’s next compilation, The Power to Make a Difference, releases at the end of January.

Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.com, thoughts-about-God.com, the Arise Daily blog, and two blogs on writing. She loves spending time with family and friends, making jewelry, and hunting for the best donuts. Connect with her at her blog, The Scrapbooked Bible Study, and on Facebook and Twitter.