How Traveling Can Be More Than Just a Trip Away For Writers

There’s nothing quite like traveling. Everyone loves warmer climates, exciting new adventures, and experiences abroad. Right?

Well, I do. Obviously, I can’t vouch for everyone, but I’m sure the vast majority out there would tend to agree with me. Strawberry daiquiris and ice-cream sundaes all around! What’s not to like? 

But, (cough), excuse me just one second. Can I have all writers’ attention for a moment, please? 

I hate to be the one to interrupt a snappy glass of red and platter of sushi. Where are my manners? But I’ve gotta put this out there before you get a little dizzy from the red stuff:

Traveling can be a lot more than just enjoying the luxury of eating saffron scallops at a four-star restaurant in Paris, or stuffing your face with toasted marshmallows around a campfire in Miyajima. For writers, there’s so much more to it than that. 

As a writer, traveling has been a great opportunity to come up with something fresh for blogs, websites, or publications I’ve submitted articles to.

When you travel, you can take stacks of inspiration and creativity from your travels for your next writing project. 

You should write about it, in fact. 

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How To Become a Better Writer by Emulating Other Authors

Developing a skill invariably requires learning from others with more experience. Writing is no exception. Improving as a writer involves reading others’ work and—at least at first—emulating it. Put simply, emulating other authors helps you learn what works and what doesn’t.

“Hey, hang on,” you might say indignantly, “are you asking me to copy other writers?”

I know why you may feel that way. Few things are more upsetting to a writer than to be accused of plagiarism. Judging by discussions I’ve had with fellow authors, it probably hurts less to have your own work plagiarized than to be wrongfully accused of plagiarism yourself. So, why am I suggesting that you become a better writer by emulating others?

And so, here comes a giant flashing red light..

Plagiarism, imitation, and emulation are three entirely different concepts. Their meaning, motivation, and results have nothing to do with one another. Whereas one can lead you into muddy waters, both legally and ethically, another can make the difference between a competent author and a great author.

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Our Favorite Content of 2019

It’s the end of the decade. Can you believe it? 

The last 10 years have been so full of books, movies, television shows, podcasts, and other widely creative content that it’s a wonder we all haven’t gone comatose from sleep deprivation (though we most certainly are sleep-deprived).

While everyone seems to be doing their “top 10 of the decade” lists, we’ve stuck to just 2019 to save you a few dozen scrolls of the page. 

Without further ado, here’s Craft Your Content’s fourth annual roundup of our favorite content from the past year. 

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How To Break Through Barriers To Creativity (or 3 Creative Trailblazers You Should Learn From)

Do you ever struggle with creativity?

For those of us who craft content, creativity is essential.

On the days we feel creative, our words flow with ease. Writing is a joy, and ideas arrive almost as quickly as we can jot them down.

At other times, when creativity has deserted us, making progress with our content is like drawing blood from a stone. A form of mental fog clouds our work, and progress is slow and painful. 

Thankfully, creativity is at least partially within our control. We can influence the levels of creativity we feel, and our writing benefits accordingly.

If you want to take control of your creative energy, here are three ways to do exactly that.

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