Category: writing-tips

About Myself, January 2025, writing-tips

Balancing Writing with Health Challenges: My Personal Tips

Sara's Writing Sanctuary

Writing can be such a fulfilling and creative outlet, but when you’re dealing with chronic health challenges like fibromyalgia, chronic inflammation, chronic pain, or mental health issues like depression, it’s not always easy. These challenges can make even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. I know firsthand how tough it can be to keep going when your body or mind feels like it’s working against you. That’s why I want to share some simple, personal tips that have helped me balance writing with managing my health.

1. Go Easy on Yourself

Some days are harder than others, and that’s okay. Instead of pushing yourself too hard, try to:

  • Write when you feel your best, whether that’s early morning or late at night.
  • Set small, doable goals, like writing for 10 minutes or just a few sentences.
  • Remind yourself that every little bit counts. Progress is progress, no matter how small.

2. Make Your Writing Space Cozy

Your environment can make a big difference when you’re dealing with pain or fatigue:

  • Use a comfortable chair and set up your desk so you’re not straining.
  • Add things that make you happy, like a favorite candle, a soft blanket, or photos you love.
  • Keep it simple and clutter-free to reduce stress.

3. Take Breaks and Move

Sitting too long can make pain and stiffness worse, and it can also make you feel more down:

  • Set a timer to remind yourself to get up and stretch every 30 minutes.
  • Do some light stretches, take a short walk, or even just stand and shake out your arms.
  • Use these moments to reset your mind and body.

4. Be Kind to Your Mind

When you’re struggling with depression or anxiety, writing can feel overwhelming. Try to:

  • Break tasks into tiny steps. If starting feels hard, focus on just opening your notebook or document.
  • Keep a journal to let your feelings out—sometimes writing about what you’re feeling can be freeing.
  • Take the pressure off. Your writing doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

5. Listen to Your Body

It’s easy to ignore pain or exhaustion when you’re in the flow, but it’s important to:

  • Drink plenty of water and eat foods that make you feel good.
  • Rest when you need to. Writing will still be there tomorrow.
  • Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness to calm your body and mind.

6. Celebrate Small Wins

Chronic illness and mental health struggles can make it hard to feel like you’re accomplishing anything, but:

  • Celebrate every small step, like finishing a sentence or even just sitting down to write.
  • Remind yourself of the progress you’ve made over time.
  • It’s not about perfection; it’s about showing up.

7. Use Tools That Make It Easier

When your energy is low or your body’s hurting, let technology help:

  • Try voice-to-text if typing is hard.
  • Use apps to organize your notes and ideas so you don’t have to rely on memory.
  • Editing tools like Grammarly can save you extra effort.

8. Lean on Your Community

You’re not alone, and there are people who understand what you’re going through:

  • Connect with other writers online who deal with similar challenges.
  • Share your journey with friends or family who can support you.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s feedback on your writing or just a listening ear.

9. Write What Feels True

Sometimes, your health struggles can inspire your writing in unexpected ways:

  • Use your experiences to create characters or stories that feel real and relatable.
  • Explore themes of resilience, growth, or hope—or just write to process your feelings.
  • Your voice matters, and your perspective is important.

A Final Thought

Living with chronic conditions or mental health challenges isn’t easy, and neither is writing. But together, they can create something beautiful. Be gentle with yourself, take it one day at a time, and remember that every word you write is an achievement. You’re not alone, and your story is worth sharing.

What about you? How do you balance writing with health challenges? I’d love to hear your tips and experiences in the comments!

Happy Writing ^_^

January 2025, writing-tips

Crafting Stories with Poetry: How Two Forms of Writing Inspire Each Other

Sara's Writing Sanctuary

As a writer, I’ve found that poetry and fiction can work together in surprising and powerful ways to improve my craft. At first, I thought they were completely different—poetry seemed like a lyrical, emotional expression, while fiction felt more structured, with its plots and characters. I assumed poetry was free-flowing and abstract, while fiction demanded precision and planning. But the more I experimented, the more I realized they can complement each other beautifully.

When I write poetry, I focus on the rhythm of words, and the emotions they evoke. Poetry taught me to see the world through a magnifying glass, noticing things I might otherwise overlook—like the way sunlight catches on a spider’s web or the distant hum of traffic late at night. This attention to detail has made my fiction richer. Instead of describing a scene as “the sky was blue,” I might write, “the sky stretched endlessly, a canvas of soft, watercolor blues dappled with golden light.” Poetry has taught me to slow down and paint pictures with my words, adding layers of meaning and emotion.

On the other hand, fiction pushes me to think about the bigger picture. Stories need structure—characters, conflict, and resolution. When I apply that mindset to poetry, it helps me create pieces that aren’t just beautiful but also tell a story or convey a deeper meaning.

Another thing I’ve noticed is how poetry improves my dialogue in fiction. Poetry is all about word choice and rhythm, and when I write dialogue, I’m more mindful of how people speak—the cadence, the pauses, and even the unsaid words. This makes my characters feel more alive and authentic. For instance, a character’s hesitation might be reflected in a fragmented sentence, or their excitement in a rapid, rhythmic flow of words.

Likewise, fiction gives me the space to develop characters and explore their inner worlds in ways that poetry can’t always do. But when I take those character insights and infuse them into a poem, it’s like I’m distilling their essence into something pure and powerful.

So if you’re a writer, I encourage you to explore both poetry and fiction. Or any form of art that inspires you to be more creative. Let them influence each other and see how they can transform your work. You never know what might come from it.

Happy Writing ^_^

January 2025, writing-tips

How I Improved My Writing: Tips You Can Use Too

Sara's Writing Sanctuary

Writing can feel like magic. Sometimes, the words just flow, and other times, it’s like pulling teeth. Over the years, I’ve learned a few simple things that have made a big difference in my writing. If you want to improve your writing, these tips might help you too.

1. Read a Lot

The best writers are avid readers. I read books, blogs, and articles in different genres. Reading gives me new ideas and shows me how other writers use words. When I read something I love, I ask myself, “What makes this so good?” Then, I try to use that in my own work.

Reading has always been one of my favorite activities. It allows me to escape into another world and leave everything else behind for a while. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite books soon…

2. Write Every Day

I know, it sounds cliché, but writing daily works. Even if it’s just a sentence or a quick journal entry, the act of writing keeps my skills sharp. On tough days, I remind myself that even a little progress is still progress. Sometimes, due to health challenges, I can’t write as much as I’d like. However, I’ve learned to be gentle with myself and focus on doing what I can when I can.

3. Embrace Bad First Drafts

This was a hard lesson for me. I used to expect my first draft to be perfect, but now I know it’s okay to write badly at first. The goal is to get my ideas on the page. Editing comes later.

4. Ask for Feedback

Sharing my work used to make me nervous. What if people hated it? But I’ve learned that constructive feedback is one of the best ways to grow. I choose people I trust to be honest but kind. Their input helps me see what works and what doesn’t.

5. Study the Basics

Good writing starts with strong foundations. I’ve spent time learning about grammar, sentence structure, and storytelling, and there are plenty of free resources online if you need a refresher. The better I understand the basics, the more confident I feel in my writing.

I’m currently in college, pursuing a degree in English and Creative Writing with a concentration in fiction. However, you don’t need a college degree to be a writer—writing is something you can explore and develop on your own. My personal reasons for studying go beyond just improving my writing skills, or at least they did when I started. Over time, and due to health challenges, my path has changed.

6. Experiment

Trying new things keeps writing exciting. I’ve written poetry, blog posts, and even fantasy. Each time I step out of my comfort zone, I learn something new about myself and my style.

7. Take Breaks

Sometimes, the best thing I can do is step away. If I’m stuck on a piece, taking a walk or a nap can help clear my mind. When I return, I usually see things more clearly. When inspiration or motivation feels lost, the best thing to do is take a break and engage in something you enjoy.

8. Set Goals

Having a goal keeps me focused. It can be as small as “write 200 words today” or as big as “finish a novel this year.” Goals give me something to work toward and a reason to celebrate my progress.

9. Find Your Voice

This one takes time, but it’s worth it. I’m still discovering my voice, but I’ve learned to trust that my unique perspective matters. It took time to figure out what worked best for me—I used to write in first person but eventually realized that third person suited my style better.

10. Enjoy the Process

Writing can be frustrating, but it’s also deeply rewarding. I remind myself to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. There’s joy in creating something from nothing and just seeing the results from it.

These tips have helped me a lot, and I hope they help you too. Writing is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. So, grab your pen, open your laptop, and let’s get writing.

Happy Writing ^_^

January 2025, writing-tips

“What If ” Writing Tip

Sara's Writing Sanctuary

Start with “What If?” Questions: A Guide to Sparking Story Ideas

One of the most exciting aspects of being a writer is the ability to dream up worlds, characters, and conflicts that captivate readers. But what happens when the creative well runs dry? That’s where the power of “What if?” questions comes into play. This simple yet effective brainstorming tool can ignite your imagination and lead to compelling, original story ideas.

Why “What If?” Questions Work

The beauty of “What if?” questions lies in their open-ended nature. They encourage curiosity and allow you to explore scenarios that challenge the status quo. These questions create a framework for possibility, helping you move beyond clichés and predictable plots.

Think of “What if?” as an invitation to play. You’re not committing to a specific idea right away—you’re exploring, experimenting, and letting your imagination roam free.

How to Use “What If?” Questions

Here are a few steps to get started:

  1. Observe the World Around You
    Draw inspiration from everyday life, current events, or interesting tidbits of history. Ask yourself how you can twist these into something fresh and exciting.
  2. Think Outside the Box
    Push boundaries. Combine unlikely elements to create unique scenarios. For example, “What if ancient gods were alive today and had to work nine-to-five jobs?”
  3. Drill Down
    Once you’ve asked a broad “What if?” question, refine it. Focus on character motivations, stakes, or specific settings. “What if a small-town librarian discovered her favorite book was alive?” could become a story about love, loss, or self-discovery.

Examples of Intriguing “What If?” Questions

Here are some prompts to spark your imagination:

  • Science Fiction: What if humans colonized a planet where emotions were outlawed?
  • Fantasy: What if dragons were the guardians of human memories?
  • Romance: What if two people fell in love but could only communicate through dreams?
  • Mystery/Thriller: What if a detective discovered they were investigating a crime they committed in a past life?
  • Historical Fiction: What if an alternate history existed where the printing press was never invented?

Turning “What If?” Into a Story

Once you’ve brainstormed a “What if?” question that excites you, use it as a springboard for your story’s foundation:

  1. Develop Characters: Who is most affected by this scenario? What are their goals, fears, and challenges?
  2. Build the World: What rules govern this reality? How does the “What if?” scenario impact society, technology, or culture?
  3. Create Conflict: What challenges arise because of the “What if?” question? How does the protagonist navigate these obstacles?

Real-Life Examples of “What If?” in Fiction

Many beloved stories began with a simple “What if?” question:

  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: What if a dystopian society forced children to fight to the death for entertainment?
  • The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: What if women lost all their rights and were valued only for their fertility?
  • Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton: What if scientists brought dinosaurs back to life?

Final Thoughts

“What if?” questions are a gateway to endless creative possibilities. By embracing curiosity and allowing yourself to dream big, you’ll discover unique stories waiting to be told. So grab a notebook, jot down a few “What if?” questions, and see where they lead you.

What’s your favorite “What if?” question? Share it in the comments below—you might inspire someone else’s next great story!

Happy Writing ^_^