Browsing Tag

inspire

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Tip 1: The Key to Creative Writing

Creative Writing is one of the most fulfilling elements in my life.  The objective of my blog is to connect with writers and poets in a way that encourages and inspires them to take your creative thoughts and inspirations to the next level.  Taking your writing to the next level can sometimes be a real  challenge.  It’s known as writer’s block and fear is its commanding officer.  I, myself, often struggle with writer’s block, sometimes even within the first sentence of a new project.  Although it’s common do not allow the frustration of these moments to trap you into feeling like a victim.  Rise above the victimization.  Step away from the computer or piece of paper.  Take a deep breath and refocus your thoughts on what inspired you in the first place.  When it’s all said and done you will produce a piece of work you can feel proud of.

My efforts to encourage and inspire you will be delivered via tips and ideas – they are by no means a set of rules because when rules are introduced into creative writing and/or poetry then your writing turns into a restrained effort driven by conscious principles.  The minute this occurs your writing should be laid to rest.

Tip 1:

Let your creativity flow free with the mysterious meandering of your mind.  Capturing the tone of your mind’s images and emotions are the key to creative writing.

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“Windsong” Poem & Lyrics by B.W. Gibson

The last few days of my senior year in college I did considerable amount of reflecting over the previous four years.  I had some great times at SSU and UMASS Amherst and made some wonderful friends, most of which I am blessed to still be in close touch with today.  During that period of reflecting I wrote the following poem which, soon after, I put to melody. It’s called “Windsong.” I particularly enjoy singing the chorus lyrics because I truly think they sum up a person’s feelings about good memories.

I hope these lyrics inspire you to reflect on the good memories of your past and encourage you to reach out and connect again with old friends.

“WINDSONG”

Verse 1

So this turning point of ours has reached its mile … leading out into the next.

What if our circumstances hadn’t been the right … place and time … would we still be friends today?

Verse 2

Treasured thoughts and memories will provide me … with the oils to paint your pictures.

I’ll hang them on my wall and take a look … when I need your smile … to lift me up again.

CHORUS:

I wish someone had told me … (just) how quickly time can fly.

Rarely do we noticewhat we finally realizeand I hope it was all worth every minute.

Verse 3

I’ll keep our  crazy sense of humor on my mind (yeah)

And send you copies of the pictures.

Now I wish you all a world happiness … after all we’ve made … we’ve outgrown each other … (to Chorus)

Lyrics by B.W. Gibson (Brian Gibson) 6-1998

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“There and Gone” Lyrics by B.W. Gibson

The mission of my blog is to connect and inspire.  This song was inspired by innocence and the quest for love that’s been lost.

There and Gone

Verse 1:

Sleepless left my room awaiting

Your window where you and left

The candle burning … somewhere are you out there … tonight?

Into the fog chasing your ghost

Wondering was I too fast, too slow

And I’m running, tumbling down for one last look … but you don’t show.

CHORUS:

What if I shut down?

What if I just left?

What if I took everything I said back?

What if tomorrow,

I forgot to call?

Wondering would you even notice at all.

Verse 2:

Seasons change as love grows old

Your midnight dress still on the floor

The moonlight bathes your subtle traces following me around.

Sweet is the sound of your warmth where,

I lay come into your embrace

And this distance you have built between us is … tearing me apart (to Chorus)

Verse 3:

I won’t lose sleep, won’t be torn.

I won’t miss your dress on the floor.

How the touch of your skin left me believing … I’m almost again.

The velvet of your lips touches me down to my fingertips.

We dance again and heal the wounds we left … on each other’s hearts … so what if I shut down (to Chorus)

Written by B.W. Gibson (Brian Gibson)

May/2004

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Connect AND INSPIRE

I’ve been getting a lot of emails from people asking to hear more from me on the “inspire” half of my blog’s mission statement “To Connect and Inspire.”  For me, inspiration mostly comes from listening to the tones in my mind and jotting those tones down on paper.  Mostly they appear in the form of poetry or song lyrics.  So, in response to those wanting more inspirational stuff … I’m going to do a blog series sharing past and new poems and songs.  The first one I’m going to begin with was written for an old friend and drummer in my old band who’s girlfriend was moving across the country.   Her excitement around the move was breaking his heart as he was staying behind where we lived in Massachusetts.  Seeing the emotional pain he was going through inspired me to write a song.  So this next blog’s for you Joe … it’s called “Far Away.”

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Inspired by Experts

Have you ever been inspired by a legitimate know-it-all?  I’m not talking about those people who make stuff up to impress anyone who will listen but rather a true expert in a particular (or multiple) fields.  The first person who comes to mind, for me, is Dr. Maura Isles from TNT’s Hit TV Series “Rizzoli & Isles.”  Although her character is an extreme case of genius, it’s one of the reasons why I tune in to every episode.  Dr. Isles inspires me to want to learn more seeing how people trust the knowledge she shares and seek her out when they need answers.

Throughout my life, I’ve encountered less extraordinary examples of one or another category experts yet nonetheless inspiriting.  I’m easily sucked into their vast knowledge and confident way of speaking.  These folks are commonly known as SME‘s or Subject Matter Experts and they truly have a gift of inspiring others.

People seek one thing when it comes to information: Accuracy.  Unless you’re in search of opinion, the accuracy of what someone is telling you is critical to them returning to you for additional information.

In previous blogs I have talked about connecting.  If you are good at connecting then a smart way to retain your listeners, readers, fans, customers, clients, etc you should expand your factual knowledge about the subjects on which they rely on your for information.  How?  Research.  Read historical and up-to-date information on the subject.  Ask questions of other SME’s.  The wider you can expand your knowledge, the more frequently people will come to seeking information.  If the information you share is always wrong, they will never come to you again.  (Note: for business and marketing information I’m a big fan of the Harvard Business Review).

One of the best ways to inspire someone is by teaching them something, of value, that they didn’t already know.  Then, every time they use that new information they will think of you.  Not only that, they will share that information with others, hopefully, mentioning your name and/or business name along with it.