During a quick stop at BAM today I found the latest issue of Artful Blogging magazine, which includes in the buzz section a quote from Yours Truly (is there anything cooler for online art junkie than being quoted in online art magazine? Probably not.) Naturally I bought up all the available copies, so I also have some to give away here.For your chance to win one of them, in comments to this post name someone or something who inspires you to blog, write, or create in any fashion (or if you're running short in the inspiration department, just toss your name in the hat)* by midnight EST on Monday, November 9, 2009. I'll draw four names at random and send the winners a copy of the Nov-Dec-Jan issue of Artful Blogging magazine along with a surprise I hope will further inspire your creative talents. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.
*Note: I'll be out of town tomorrow and Tom will be at his day job, so if your comment doesn't show up right away tomorrow don't worry; between the two of us we will moderate all pending comments before the giveaway deadline.
LOL, I'd have to say I get the most "creative" these days in a most decidedly un-artsy situation... when racking my brain with a way to explain whatever homeschool topic or totally random child-generated question they come up with. Today didn't involve macaroni noodles, pumpkin seeds and guts, or lincoln logs, but this last week did, and heaven knows what next week will bring.
ReplyDeleteWanting to eat delicious food while on a low fructose diet, along with other specific foods to avoid, means I've been creating & adapting recipes this week. Not my usual creative outlet, but I'm enjoying the fruits of my labour. Banana bread anyone?
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know there was an Artful Blogging magazine--looks very cool.
ReplyDeleteAs for what inspires me, lately it's been family and a deeper appreciation for some amazing friends.
Music is the biggest inspiration.
ReplyDeleteSecond to that is the creative flow itself. While working on this year's NaNo project, I've had so many new story ideas floating around in my head that I finally had to keep a notebook on the desk so I could jot them down - and then forbid myself to look at them again until Dec. 1st!
I can't think of anything right at the moment, so I'm just tossing my name in the hat. :)
ReplyDeleteI am inspired to write by any author I see publishing more than a book a year. I see that and I think get back to work. NOW.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired very strongly by images. Either photos or descriptions of locations. Videos also have some impact of what I create, especially if they accompanied by a good music. The best thing is that my brain never goes into the obvious conclusions when inspired. I remember a song "I can't be your friend anymore" that inspired me to write a really dark story about a toxic relationship beween two men with PTSD. And how once after seeing a screencap from some movie about ancient times I wrote this entire series of short stories about a girl who was a slave and was learning to be her own person... Yeah, my brain works in weird ways, I admit.
ReplyDeleteYikes, creativity. Sometimes mine seems stunted, but I draw inspiration from everywhere. The rustling leaves that are changing color in East TN right now, the sounds of a conversation in the mall, or a character will just pop in my head and start telling me about her/his story.
ReplyDeleteLately, it's mostly that I feel compelled to do things, in the same way I feel compelled to breath.
ReplyDeleteSunny Sunday #5 - Paper Sol
Right now, I'm inspired by people I know, people I meet and people I see on the street. People are so cool.
ReplyDeletePlease add my name into the hat.
I'm inspired to write by reading other books. Whenever I feel stuck or burned out with my writing, I just pick up a book and read for a while. It's like a mini vacation and gives me enough of a break. I've heard that great writers are great readers and I hope to be lumped into this category some day.
ReplyDeleteI could get all mushy and say you inspire me to write better and to write more, but I won't. (Except I just did.) I also get inspired looking at Brian Larsen's paintings, reading about people who are succeeding, and watching Biggest Loser.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding it hard to be creative recently but i have to say looking at PBWindow everyday has really been a joy :D
ReplyDeleteSince you're really into online art (and art in general), I thought you might be interested in my SIL's Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ViveLaFranceDesign.
ReplyDeleteShe is an incredible artist and there is a mixture of her fine art pieces and hand-made cards/invites/scrapbooks.
I am inspired by the beauty that surrounds me daily. The deep blue skies, the bright sunshine and the magnificent vistas of mountains and mesas. Being outside in this environment is meaningful and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteCats! Cats! Cats!
ReplyDeleteRabia Gale (www.rabiagale.com) and Natalie Whipple (http://betweenfactandfiction.blogspot.com) both inspire me to write, blog, and edit. Something about their journeys through writing and editing just gets me anxious to do the same.
ReplyDeleteScrapbooking, crochet, rearranging my furniture...working with my hands is usually what ends up inspiring me somehow.
ReplyDeleteMy brain's fried at the moment so I'm blanking out on my inspirations, but throwing my name in the hat. Those magazines look delightful!
ReplyDeleteI get my inspiration from books,blogs, films and/or series that are in any way different from the ordinary. The seasons, colours; anything with a touch of passion or evolution. Also good feedback and the belief in myself (when I can harness it!)
ReplyDeleteA well-written, meaningful devotional will often inspire me to blog on that topic.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing so many more crafts now than I ever thought possible thanks to my good friend and neighbor, Laurinda. Heck, even her name sounds crafty! The woman is a powerhouse of creation in everything except writing. In that, at least, I have a few things to offer her in return.
ReplyDeleteInspires me to write - you, Marjorie M Liu, Gena Showalter, memories of losing myself in comic books as a teen.
ReplyDeleteInspires me to sew and craft - Remembering that I didn't even take a high school art class because the teacher was mean and I was a chicken. That's no way to live!
Inspires me to a better life - good quotes. "Be the change you want to see in the world." by Ghandi and "Well behaved women rarely make history." are two favorites.
Tossing since my creativity is sadly lacking.
ReplyDeleteTrying to use an early morning drive along a foggy river to spark something...it might be working.
I didn't know that publication existed and now I'm curious as all get out. Thanks for pointing it out. :D
I don't write much but thoes who inspires me are my loving husband, who I think should write, and you Shelly.
ReplyDeleteLauraine
Had no idea there was an Artful Blogging magazine. Please toss my name in the hat.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired by my friend Tanya who owns a little quilt and wine shop in the next small town over yonder. She's just so awesome and perpetually cheerful that she gets me off my butt and into the sewing room. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired to create every time I go to the library and see an empty slot on a shelf.....Maybe some day my book will be there!
ReplyDeleteLynn,
ReplyDeleteI hope you also find it's cool being quoted in a literary quotations book. And cooler being quoted in two of these books. The first one is my free ebook (Portuguese language) "A Arte da Ficção em Citações ("The Art of Fiction in Quotations", 25,700 writing and literary quotations – Scribd: http://tinyurl.com/yl2hmlw). The second one is my free ebook (English language) "Literary Quotations and Page Rage" (3,300 quotations - Scribd: http://tinyurl.com/ms6fs8). Thanks for your contribution (more than 10 quotations in the Portuguese book, and also more than 10 others in the English book).
Wow, I didn't know there was an Artful Blogging Magazine, but it sure looks interesting! I wouldn't mind having a copy!
ReplyDeleteAs far as what inspires me to blog? I really only blog when I realize something I want to share with others who write. So...inspired isn't really the right word to describe why I blog.
I love how the Somerset Magazines have their own aesthetic that doesn't seem to be picked up elsewhere. It's this little world you can tumble into.
ReplyDeleteI love the photographs and would love a Somerset-style writing studio or to wear the Belle Armoire clothing, but... how would you keep that stuff clean?
Actually, that's the sort of question that inspires me - looking at something and wondering why? Or How?
I'm sadly in need of some inspiration. I've never heard of this magazine and methinks I should check it out :)
ReplyDeletehi just throwing my name in the hat.
ReplyDeleteAnnie
Please throw my name in the hat!
ReplyDeleteWould Love to Win a copy!
ReplyDeleteReading, hearing, viewing, touching, and otherwise interacting with the thoughts and creativity of others is what causes creativity in me. Without challenging and encouraging influences in my life I would be stuck in a small puddle without a view.
ReplyDeleteFoo Fighters - specifically, the lyrics. Dig the music too, but following one man's lyrics over a 10 to 12 year period - set a story arc in motion. A trip!
ReplyDeleteNature and instrumental music inspires me to write/blog. The possibilities are endless when it comes to nature.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this magazine and I could definitely use some blogging inspiration. The most ambitious I've been lately is managing to get 140 characters a day at Twitter. I will throw my Carmin Miranda hat into the ring and hope that the flamboyance will earn me a copy :)
ReplyDeleteNature always inspires me. Hands down,that's what does it. :)
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog and added it to my blog roll. Didn't know their was a blogging magazine but am very interested in it. As far as inspiration, Nano has been great. For a jump start I attend our local nano write-ins. Coffee, friends and lots of words.
ReplyDelete