What? You don’t think I’m serious about this recipe? Well, I assure you that I am. In fact, I’ve been writing — very successfully, I might add — for many years now using these ingredients on a regular basis. I originally posted the recipe about five years ago, but when I revisited the article recently and thought it over, I realized that I’m even more convinced of its effectiveness now than I was then. So I’m re-posting it just for the fun of it.
1. A Quiet Corner:
I must have quiet when I’m creating. If I’m simply relaxing — or doing housework — or eating — I often enjoy listening to music, a TV program, or a lesson on a subject that interests me. But if I am intent on creating something with words, I do not want any conversation or music whirling around me. I want to be closed into my own private world — just me and my words — until I have received conception of and given birth to that brand new entity that has been waiting on me to bring it into the world. So this ingredient is a must.
2. A Cup of Coffee — or Two:
My, there’s just nothing that quite equals the soothing, uplifting aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. And I’m tired of hearing all the uninformed critics out there who try to make coffee drinkers feel guilty because there is an element of caffeine in coffee. I have always maintained that, since the Lord told us in Genesis that He made the seed-bearing trees and plants for us to eat, then we should be able to partake of coffee with a clear conscience and a happy heart. And let’s not forget that God made the coffee bean with the caffeine in it.
Furthermore, there have been numerous medical and scientific experiments done over the past half dozen years that prove coffee has many beneficial qualities for the human body — everything from quickening our brain function to eliminating headaches as quickly as aspirin to protecting the body against several kinds of cancer and heart problems. Naturally, nothing is good for our bodies if we partake of too much of it, to the exclusion of other important elements. But in moderation, coffee is a great blessing. And considering the fact that, in my family, a good cup of coffee has always been associated with family togetherness, wonderful fellowship, and comforting relaxation, coffee is, for sure, a substantial ingredient in my recipe.
3. Chocolate:
As with coffee, the medical field has grown in its understanding over the past decade concerning chocolate. Researchers in the field have learned that chocolate has many helpful — and healthful — benefits for our bodies. Again, we remember that everything we ingest is most helpful when taken in moderation. But there’s one more quality associated with chocolate that we must add to our evaluation of it. We need to consider the connotations associated with that delicious treat — you know: mother’s love, romantic love, comfort, and a little extra surge of energy. Now, given all those positives, how could I possibly leave chocolate out of my recipe?
Combine all ingredients in whatever ratios make you happy.
So there you have it folks. There’s just no other recipe quite so perfect for the dedicated, committed creative writer. And if you haven’t yet used this particular recipe, give it a try the next time you sit down to write. Your masterpiece may be just a quiet corner, a cup of coffee, and a chocolate bar away.
~~~
The Happy Wordcrafter 
Yep, it must be the lack of chocolate that is keeping me from writing a masterpiece. Maybe even the reason I can’t seem to blog much. (Baby masterpieces) Not any chocolate on my diet. I am down 43 lbs though. 👍👍☺️☺️
Bless your heart. I know it’s a challenge, but you’ve done extremely well. I’ll tell you what: I’ll eat a couple extra pieces of chocolate this week just for you!!! 🙂
I remember one year — back when I was in high school — when my sister and I gave up candy of any kind for Lent. Oh, my goodness, what test of faith that was!!! Especially with all the delectable Easter candies out on the shelves. But we bought some and stuck it in the fridge — so that we wouldn’t be tempted by it — and Easter Sunday, we hit the refrigerator even before going to church. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Yep, that sounded like a good idea. I’m afraid the fridge would have had company before Easter. 😀
I actually have some WW chocolate covered pretzel snacks. About as good.
Heck yeah. Chocolate is chocolate. When you don’t get a choice, take what you can get — and ALL that you can get.
🙂
Excellent Sandra!
I need to polish my setting to write and you just put words to why for me.
But about the chocolate part. I like it well enough but don’t have the same gene-deep response my wife does to it. Can I request a waiver to use fluffy pancakes with real maple 🍁 syrup instead?
Oh, Yes, fluffy pancakes with maple syrup will work just fine. When are you writing next? I could come and help eat the pancakes.
Coffee and chocolate are the best!!!!
Can someone here write a paragraph indicative of creative writing. (Rhetorical question)
Creative writing is any writing that goes beyond the basics of academic writing, technical writing, or news journalism. It includes both fiction and non-fiction writing. Many people think creative writing has to be fiction or poetry. But non-fiction work such as personal memoir, personal narrative, persuasive articles, and op-ed pieces can all include a great deal of the same qualities and make use of the same tools as good fiction and poetry. So anytime a writer uses his imagination and any language tools that stir the senses, the imagination, and the emotions, he’s writing creatively. Hope this explanation is helpful.
Thank you Sandra, I was being facetious with my question. I noticed in browsing through the various writings that I did not see that which I might define as truly creative. Rarely does one find creative writing in the truest sense of the phrase since it requires a degree of imagination and an inordinate amount of knowledge of poetry and wordology, not to mention some understanding of adjectives, verbs, similes and metaphors. I’d like to share with you and the reading audience two examples of creative writing:
Example#1 : The elderly woman walked with a cane.
Creative writing: The stooped woman, obviously a person of many years, sauntered down the
road with her shillelagh.
Example#2 : The children played in the street next to the cars.
Creative writing: The boisterous children scampered about the narrow street while the cars
nearby seem to sit quietly in wait for the ever-looming rock or finger
prints.
I’m not sure why you felt the need to ask what you define as a “facetious” question, nor can I understand your claiming you can’t find much “true” creative writing. As a professional author and editor of many years, my life and my websites are absolutely full of excellent creative writing – as are the websites of many of the people who follow my site. Scores of them are also authors who excel in creative writing. You could not have looked very far if you have failed to find multiple examples of superb creative work. Since I have also taught the subject at the college level for many years, and work with people of all ages who have learned how to write creatively and excellently, I find your attitude rather snobbish. But you are entitled to keep that attitude if it suits you. Just please refrain from sharing it on my website. Thank you.
LOL. LOL. Not looking for a “fight” or to prove anything. I thank you for responding to my prior comments and wish that any future exchanges between us be cordial ones. I believe civility is the order of the day and you have misinterpreted my intentions. Again, thanx.
Agree with the coffee! 🙂