Skip to content
  • HOME
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
  • HOME
  • custom-logo
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
Creativity

July Ruminations

July 29, 2016August 31, 2016 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 12 comments
July Ruminations

Thoughts on July: writing updates & a few creative inspiration links. // dreams-etc.com

I had planned to have a productive writing month. I actually set a huge word count goal, but found that I was had trouble writing it. Instead, I was doing a lot of planning. I’ve always been more of a pantser (“fly by the seat of your pants’ type of writer), but over the years I’ve noticed that some type of planning would be helpful.

The thing for me is that I have to find the right balance of planning just enough, but not planning too much. There have been times that I’ve planned too much for a story and discovered that I need some level of excitement and mystery when I write a draft. If I have too much planned out, I lose interest in writing the story. I have a few story ideas that I’ve thrown out my notes on and am waiting until I lose track of some of the details.

In the past I’ve found Susan Dennard’s thoughts on writing and planning to be helpful (second topic on the page) and I had adapted her system into one of my own and that’s what I’ve gone back to this month. So I haven’t put a lot of words on the page, but I’ve been working through some of the details that I think would have presented issues if I didn’t work through them. And that’s still progress.

Here are a few chats about creativity that I found recently and appreciated:

>> Claire Marshall on creativity. The entire interview is good, but I really appreciated what she had to say around the 5 – 6 minute mark. It’s something I’ve been more intentional about this year. (And I also just added a bunch of older movies to my Netflix queue. Time to start watching them! :))

>> This post on the Carve Out Time for Art Insta. I especially loved the last sentence of the first paragraph in the caption.

Also, if you’re interested in reading more about what to do in the Twin Cities, I wrote a post all about it over on The Siberian American. Olya just had surgery and was looking for posts that she could put up during her recovery, so head on over to say hi and send some well wishes to Olya!

What’s been on your mind this month?

[Tweet “Thoughts on July: a writing update and 2 creative inspiration links.”]

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

Post navigation

5 Ways to Be Prepared for a Loss of Electricity
Life Lately // August 2016

12 comments

  1. Taylor Mobley says:
    July 29, 2016 at 11:01 am

    I’ve just been finishing up this semester at school 🙂

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 29, 2016 at 8:46 pm

      That must feel good! I hope it ended well. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Christine says:
    July 29, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    These are really timely for me! I needed these videos. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 29, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      You’re welcome! I’m glad they came at a time when you needed them. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Elizabeth Johnson says:
    July 29, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    Thanks for the links, those are great!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      July 29, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      You’re welcome! I loved them. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Charlotte says:
    July 29, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    I love your “pantser” description; fits me to a t, too. I have a hard time finding that balance myself, so am always open to advice. Thanks so much for sharing these links, and hope you have a lovely weekend ahead of you!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 10, 2016 at 12:00 am

      It’s always nice to hear that someone else feels the same way about planning and “pantsing.” 🙂 I hope you found the links helpful and that you had a wonderful weekend too!

      Reply
  5. Ace says:
    July 30, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    Thank you for sharing! I thought this was going to be a big writing month too, but I was wrong.

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 9, 2016 at 11:59 pm

      You’re welcome! Thank you for reading. 🙂 Sometimes creative plans just don’t pan out the way we hope.

      Reply
  6. MaryClaire Schulz says:
    July 30, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    Just stumbled upon your blog, and I love your writing! Thanks for sharing the links as well — always looking for a good and relevant read on creativity/inspiration.

    MaryClaire || Mainly MC 

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      August 9, 2016 at 11:58 pm

      Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope the links are helpful!

      Reply

Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

Come with me to Cafe Ceres in downtown Minneapolis Come with me to Cafe Ceres in downtown Minneapolis.
A low key Sunday: church, pizza with mom, phone ca A low key Sunday: church, pizza with mom, phone call with niece, dogs. What was your Sunday like?
Summer has never been my favorite season so I inte Summer has never been my favorite season so I intentionally try to find those moments that I enjoy. Here’s one from summer 2023: sitting outside and watching this bird couple care for their babies.
It’s true. Okay, Mina. Your human needs a hug. It’s true.

Okay, Mina. Your human needs a hug. And maybe we should consider taking more flattering videos of the two of us. 😂

.
.
.
#dogstagram #dogsofinsta #dogsofig #dogstagram #dogslife #dogsofinstaworld #dogscorner #dogsdaily #dogs_of_instagram #girlsbestfriend #ckcs #doglove #dogsdaily #dogslover #dogsandpals #dogsworld #dogsrule #dogsoninstagram #dogsarefamily
August. August.
July is over and I’m glad. I’m ready for summe July is over and I’m glad. I’m ready for summer to come to an end. I’m thankful that you can see Mina throughout the entire video…there were a few days in July that I wasn’t sure she would be around much longer. Hold your pups tight. 💙 #onesecondeveryday #onesecond #1secondeveryday #1se #monthinreview #videodiary
A rainy day is a special gift to readers. [Amy Mil A rainy day is a special gift to readers. [Amy Miles] 🌧️

What’s your rainy day (or night) read?
Saturday morning. Mim’s Cafe. Saturday morning. Mim’s Cafe.
June 2023. June 2023.
See More Follow on Instagram

RECENT POSTS

  • The Summer Day by Mary Oliver
  • A Week in Idaho
  • Saying Goodbye to Crystal the Writer
  • The Day the Sorcerers Visited Baby Jesus
  • Thoughts on Hope

CATEGORIES

  • Adventures (53)
  • Beauty (16)
  • Books (147)
  • Creativity (58)
  • Entertainment (18)
  • Life (225)
  • Uncategorized (539)
  • Wellness (8)

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow
  • Book Review Policy
  • BOOKS
  • Contact
  • DISCLOSURES
  • Insta Links
  • Seint Links
  • THE DREAMER
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | © 2023. All text and photos belong to Crystal Brutlag, unless otherwise stated. Theme designed by Little Theme Shop: https://littlethemeshop.com

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Dreams, etc. // Minneapolis Lifestyle Blog
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.