Mimi Jean Pamfiloff | Top Five Way I Obliterate Writer’s Block…California Style!
August 27, 2015
1. The Hammock in My Yard
Hey, we don’t have it all that easy in California. There is the cost of
living,
the drought, earthquakes, and traffic. But I’ve lived south of the boarder,
on
the East Coast, and in the Midwest. I can honestly say that our weather here
makes up for most of our issues. Which is why when my characters are telling
me
to pound sand, there’s nothing like a little sunshine and swaying in my
hammock
to get them back in line.
2. A Drive Through Wine Country
So if relaxing in the yard doesn’t work, and I’ll admit I don’t use this
card too
often, wine country is about a forty minute drive away. There’s something
about
rolling down those small, two lane highways (there are several) and looking
at
the rows of green vines and quaint wineries that gives me inspiration. It’s
like
being transported to another part of the world where things move slower and
people take the time to drink life in. If that doesn’t work, then there’s
always…
3. Wine Tasting!
This one was pretty dang obvious. Wasn’t it? Okay, so I don’t know how many
of
you have gone wine tasting in the Napa area, but I never get tired of
visiting
the wineries. There are views, art, water sculptures, history, and of
course…
wine! Two of my favorites to visit, purely for “work” purposes and
unblocking my
imagination with gorgeous scenery, are Sterling and Artesa. You just can’t
beat
the views.
4. When Wine Country and Hammocks Fail, What’s a Writer To Do?
Okay, so I love my neighborhood. It has everything I need within walking
distance
and more! So sometimes, when my stories are flowing just a teensy bit slow,
I go
and enjoy some of the local offerings. For example, there’s a Peet’s Coffee
(hands down, the best coffee on the planet), there’s a Vietnamese place with
the
pearl (or “bubble” tea—yum! Chewy tea!), there’s a great park for hiking,
and
there are several very good nail salons that give great foot—that’s the part
of
the pedicure where they massage your feet. But when I’m really at my wit’s
end,
I hit the Chinese reflexology place. Yup! $30 dollars buys me one full
hour of
the best “foot” in the world—hot steamy foot bath, neck rub, and of course,
a
deep, wonderful foot massage. It really is like a foot-gasm, but in a non-
sexual
way! Anyone who’s ever been intimidated by those places with the lace
curtains
that offer reflexology but look a little shady…well, I urge you to give them
another look. Don’t be shy! For some reason, many such establishments do not
adhere to our Western tastes when it comes to decorating. Great foot. Great
price. Great writer’s block therapy! 5. And finally…
If at this point, nothing has helped me get into the groove with my story,
there’s only one thing left to do! Grab my hubby… Wink. After all, I am
writing
romance.
GIVEAWAY
What are your favorite ways to spur creativity? Leave a comment below and
be
entered for a chance to win a signed copy of IMMORTAL
MATCHMAKERS, INC. plus swag. 2 winners; US shipping only.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling Romance author, host
of
the radio talk show, Man Candy, on Radioslot.com.
When San Francisco native Mimi Jean went on an adventure as an exchange
student
to Mexico City, she never imagined the journey would lead to writing
Romance. But
one MBA, one sexy husband, and two rowdy kids later, Mimi would trade in
corporate life for vampires, deities, and snarky humor.
She continues to hope that her books will inspire a leather pants comeback
(for
men) and that she might make you laugh when you need it most.
She also enjoys interacting with her fans (especially if they're batshit
crazy).
You can always find her chatting away on Facebook, Twitter, or saying many
naughty words on her show MAN CANDY on Radioslot.com !
Find out more about Mimi and upcoming books at www.mimijean.net.
Website | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook |
Blog
From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff... Immortal
Matchmakers,
Inc. (Because dysfunctional immortals need love, too.) SEVEN DAYS TO GO FROM
LETHAL IMMORTAL ASSASSIN TO PRINCE CHARMING. DOES HE STAND A CHANCE?
Demigod Andrus Gray may look like every woman’s dream, but when it comes to
charm, he sees no point in pretending: He has none and makes no apologies
for it.
Behaving nicely hasn’t made him the deadly assassin he is today. But is that
really the reason he’s still single?
The Goddess Cimil—owner of Immortal Matchmakers, Inc.—thinks yes. So when
she
foresees a mate in Andrus’s near future, she’s determined to make the match
happen. That means hiring aspiring actress Sadie Townsend to help the
barbarian
“act” a little more civilized.
But are seven days really enough? And why does he suddenly have the urge to
throw
away an eternity of love for just one night with Sadie? Read
Four
Excerpts; Some PG-13, Some Not PG-13.
Comments
30 comments posted.
Re: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff | Top Five Way I Obliterate Writer’s Block…California Style!
I'm not a writer - yet, so there's a different type of inspiration that I look for. Being an avid knitter and crocheter, and being a volunteer to teach a class every week, causes me to look in other places. When I'm out shopping, I pay attention to the knit items that are out on the racks, and see what colors are popular, as well as the styles. I also see if there's anything I could make a copy of myself. There are also a lot of sites to look at, as well as patterns to get. A person could get lost for hours, not only looking at patterns, but looking at new techniques that someone has come up with, as well as new stitches. Although this pastime can be relaxing, too much can be stressful at times, and to relax from it, I love to read, or just get away from it for a bit. Where I live, I have one of the Great Lakes a mile away from me, with a public beach, 4 miles away. There are also a few small shops I can go into to look around. There is also farmland and some woods around me. The wildlife is incredible, and if I just sit out on the deck, the view is so relaxing!! Sorry for the long post, but I suppose I came up with a lot of ideas, too!! Looking forward to reading your book. (Peggy Roberson 9:41am August 27, 2015)
Sitting in the sun. (Marissa Yip-Young 10:00am August 27, 2015)
Nature inspires me for when I am in the mood to draw... always lifts my spirits. (Colleen Conklin 1:04pm August 27, 2015)
Listening to music inspires my creativity. (G. Bisbjerg 2:42pm August 27, 2015)
Taking a drive, can help. I use it for settings for the writing class I'm taking. (Diana Thomas 10:47pm August 27, 2015)
I'm a total night owl I like to sit outside in the dark and just be (Lani Miller 7:14am August 28, 2015)
I love tolay out on my hammock and watch nature and just relax! (Maria Smith 10:29am August 28, 2015)
I love to go shopping at the Mall or can stay home and get on the computer and look and shop if I want to . I can look and look and never buy . (Joan Thrasher 12:58pm August 28, 2015)
coffee in the flower garden..... (Debbi Shaw 10:09pm August 28, 2015)
I like to edit videos and turn them into a story. (Carrie Edmunds 7:38am August 29, 2015)
Sit on my porch swing :) (Dianne McVetty 7:46am August 29, 2015)
NICE (Jeanette Schroeder 10:03am August 29, 2015)
First, I have to have a clean house if I want to get anything done. If the house is clean and I still need some inspiration, to the beach with me--grab my boots and a take a walk! (Diana Portwood 1:39pm August 29, 2015)
(Also, I love this series, it's a blast to read, thanks for writing such fun books!) (Diana Portwood 1:40pm August 29, 2015)
I wish I had writer's block because that meant I could write. Unfortunately, I can't string two sentences together. (Barbara Miller 3:57pm August 29, 2015)
I would love to win and read this book. (Kathy Church 5:34pm August 29, 2015)
well that would be easy like to go to the ghost and sit and see who come out of the house or the haunted place and then see if they talk to me when we went to the one in Loretta Lynn place it was so weird it made me sick to my stomach but i found that the battle field and then i went and talk to loretta mom and then her and told her what i saw and took pic of (Desiree Reilly 7:14pm August 29, 2015)
I make jewelry and do other crafts and when I'm having creative issues I will look through catalogs for inspiration (and not just bead catalogs). I will also just keep playing around with my beads and things until something finally 'clicks' so to speak. Unfortunately though, sometimes the only way to jump start the creativity is to give the jewelry making a rest for a few hours or even a few days. (Ida Stone 2:51am August 30, 2015)
Can't wait for the book (Shannon Casteel 8:00am August 30, 2015)
You just have to do. So write and eventually you will get the creative juices flowing. (Pam Howell 8:09am August 30, 2015)
Putting on music. (Christina Riggs 8:12am August 30, 2015)
Watching nature unfold (Mary Lynn Hayes 8:39am August 30, 2015)
To be creative, first I have to relax. I do that by sitting in front of my aquarium and just watching the fish swim around. (Nancy Marcho 1:56pm August 30, 2015)
I read..gets the juices flowing (Gwenn Ostman 2:11pm August 30, 2015)
Going to the beach and walking along the water listening to the waves! (Denise Austin 2:21pm August 30, 2015)
I turn on music. (Racquelle Robinson 3:42pm August 30, 2015)
Taking classes in quilting, attending quilt shows, and visiting fabric shops inspire my creativity. Congrats on your new release! I love the Accidentally Yours series and look forward to reading your Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. series. (Bonnie H 9:24pm August 30, 2015)
I'm not a fiction writer, but rather a software designer, and we do have to write things like design documents, marketing blurbs for our new features and more. It's so very technical, "left brain" thinking. When I'm stuck on a software design or problem, exercise the other, more artistic "right" side of my brain by logging onto the Shoes of Prey website (www.shoesofprey.com) and design my own shoes. It's an interactive application where you can design everything from flip flops to boots..pick your fabric, heel height, straps, leather color and more. I design for hours..but only have purchased my custom designed shoes a couple of times. After a fun design session, I'm ready to get back to the software stuff! (Char Jorgenson 10:53pm August 30, 2015)
One of my favorite ways to spur creativity is by looking at the clouds and daydreaming. It is fun to see different shapes the clouds can make as they drift by. (Fred Holmes 11:25pm August 30, 2015)
I'm looking forward to reading your book :) (Lori Harvey 6:48pm August 31, 2015)
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