How to Explore New Creative Projects Without Losing Focus

 by Suzanne Lieurance

As a writer, you are naturally a curious person.

That curiosity is often what leads you into writing in the first place. You want to explore ideas, emotions, stories, possibilities, and experiences. So, it makes sense that eventually you may feel drawn toward trying something creatively new.

Maybe you start thinking about writing poetry after years of writing nonfiction. Maybe you become interested in scripts, songwriting, personal essays, or short stories. Maybe you begin exploring podcasts, spoken word, or other creative formats that weren’t even on your radar a few years ago.

Trying something new creatively can be exciting.

It can also become incredibly distracting if you aren’t careful.

One of the biggest mistakes writers make when they begin expanding creatively is trying to explore too many things at once. Instead of developing new creative skills, they end up scattering their focus across a dozen unfinished projects.

That’s why I believe creative expansion works best when it happens with intention.

Recently, over on my site Write by the Sea, I shared how I started taking some of my old poems and turning them into country songs. What surprised me most was how much the process expanded my creativity and challenged me to think differently about writing.

But one thing I intentionally avoided was trying to learn every type of songwriting at once.

Instead, I chose one genre — country music — and decided to stay there long enough to actually learn the craft.

That decision matters more than many writers realize.

Creative Expansion Is Not the Same as Creative Scattering

Many writers think creativity means constantly moving in new directions.

Sometimes it does.

But creative growth usually happens faster when you give yourself enough structure and consistency to develop real skill.

There’s a difference between:

• exploring intentionally and
• constantly abandoning one thing for another

When writers bounce endlessly between projects, genres, and creative goals, they often stay in a perpetual beginner stage. They experience the excitement of starting but rarely the deeper rewards that come from improvement.

Exploring something new creatively should stretch your mind, not fracture your attention.

Why Trying Something New Can Help Your Original Writing

One of the most interesting things about learning a new creative form is that it often strengthens the writing you were already doing.

For example, songwriting forced me to think much more carefully about:

• rhythm
• repetition
• emotional pacing
• hooks
• phrasing
• simplicity

Those lessons don’t stay confined to songwriting. They begin influencing every other type of writing you do.

That’s one reason creative expansion can be so valuable for writers. You start seeing storytelling differently. You notice things you previously overlooked. You challenge habits that may have become automatic over time.

Trying something new can wake your creativity back up.

The Problem with Staying Too Comfortable

Many writers eventually become extremely skilled within one creative lane. That’s valuable. But comfort can sometimes become limiting.

Once you know how to do something well, it becomes tempting to stay inside familiar patterns. You know what works. You know what readers expect. You know how to produce results.

But growth often requires temporary discomfort.

When you become a beginner again, you start paying closer attention. You become more curious. You ask more questions. You experiment more freely.

That beginner mindset can bring new energy into your creative life.

How to Explore New Creative Projects Without Losing Focus

If you feel drawn toward trying a new type of writing or creative project, here are a few things that can help you stay grounded while still expanding creatively.

Choose One New Direction at a Time

You do not need to reinvent your entire creative life overnight.

Pick one area that genuinely interests you and explore it fully before jumping to something else. That focused approach helps you build confidence and skill much faster.

Stay Connected to Your Core Writing Practice

Trying something new does not mean abandoning the work that already matters to you.

Creative expansion works best when it supports your overall growth instead of pulling you away from your long-term goals completely.

Allow Yourself to Be Inexperienced

Many experienced writers secretly struggle with being beginners again.

You may feel awkward at first. Your early attempts may not match the quality of your primary writing yet. That’s normal.

Every creative skill has its own structure and learning curve.

Focus on Learning, Not Immediate Success

When writers try something new, they sometimes expect instant results because they already have experience in another form of writing.

But each creative field teaches different skills.

Approach the process with curiosity instead of pressure.

Give the New Skill Time to Develop

One reason many writers quit too early is because they never stay with the new creative challenge long enough to improve.

Creative confidence grows through repetition and focused practice.

Expanding Creatively Can Reignite Your Writing Life

Sometimes writers think they need more discipline, more motivation, or better productivity systems.

Sometimes what they really need is a fresh creative challenge.

Trying a new type of writing can remind you why you fell in love with creativity in the first place. It can pull you out of autopilot and back into discovery.

The key is not trying everything all at once.

The key is exploring intentionally, staying focused long enough to learn, and allowing your creativity room to grow beyond the limits you may have unconsciously placed on yourself.

Because many writers do not need less creativity.

They simply need more room to expand it.

Suzanne Lieurance is the author of over 40 published books and a transformational Law of Attraction coach for writers who are ready to stop waiting to feel like the real thing. 

At Write by the Sea, she guides writers through the identity shift that changes everything — not just the writing, but the whole life built around it. 

She is the publisher of Manifesting Monthly magazine and the host of Monday Morning Manifestors. 

Check out her country music channel on YouTube.

 

The Takeaway

 Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer

Most of my clients know what they want the takeaway of their book to be. 

It may be to demonstrate kindness, overcome fear, be a good friend, learn responsibility, learn about conservation, become self-confident, learn coping strategies, realize the importance of family…

Now and then, though, I still get clients who think a list of events constitutes a good story. They have a tough time understanding the elements that need to go into making a story work, such as character arc, story arc, plot, and a story’s takeaway. 

WHAT IS A BOOK’S TAKEAWAY?

The takeaway in children’s writing refers to the central message, moral, or theme that readers are meant to understand or remember after finishing the story. It's what leaves an impact, inspires thought, or teaches a lesson. In children’s literature, the takeaway is typically simple, clear, and age-appropriate, often woven seamlessly into the story, and should be conveyed subtly.

The takeaway is what the reader will find memorable, leaving a lasting impression that will hopefully prompt the reader to consider new perspectives or apply the information learned to their own lives. 

EXAMPLES OF TAKEAWAYS IN CHILDREN’S WRITING

Picture book: “Stephanie’s Ponytail” by Robert Munsch. 

Stephanie's upset because the kids in her class copy every hairdo she creates. Finally, she outwits them, and they never copy her hairdo again. 

As well as being a fun read, the takeaway teaches children about creativity, independence, self-confidence, imagination, and being daring. 

Chapter book: “Walking Through Walls” by Karen Cioffi

The protagonist, Wang, begins his journey as a selfish, lazy kid. But striving to become rich and powerful, his heart is awakened to what riches and power really mean.

The takeaway is two-fold: not all things are as they appear, and richness and power can be more than gaining external things. It touches on friendship, loyalty, honesty, and hard work.

TIPS ON CRAFTING TAKEAWAYS IN CHILDREN’S WRITING

It's All About Subtlety:
Avoid overt preaching; let the actions and consequences of the characters deliver the message.

Example: Instead of saying, “Sharing is good,” show a character sharing their toys and making a new friend.

Make It Relatable:
Focus on themes children experience, like friendship, bravery, or honesty.

Example: A boy overcomes his fear of public speaking to join the school play, teaching bravery and confidence.

Keep It Age-Appropriate:
Simplify complex themes for younger readers. For older kids, explore deeper ideas like compassion or resilience.

End on a Positive Note:
Even if the story includes struggles or setbacks, it should leave readers with hope or encouragement.

TAKEAWAY IN PRACTICE

Imagine you’re writing a story about a lonely dragon who learns to write poems that bring joy to the townspeople. 

The takeaway could be: “Using your unique talents can connect you to others.” Instead of saying this outright, you’d show how the dragon’s poetry gradually breaks down fears and builds friendships.

The key is to balance storytelling with meaning, allowing the message to shine through the actions and emotions of the characters.

So, as you’re writing your children’s story, think of the takeaway. What message do you want to instill in the reader? 

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, working ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach. If you need help with your story, visit Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi. 

You can check out Karen’s books HERE.

And connect with Karen on social media.

 

The Science of Receiving

 by Suzanne Lieurance

Writers often talk about “flow,” that elusive state when words seem to write themselves. It feels magical, but it’s not just a mystical experience—it’s a measurable shift in your brain and body. Science now backs up what so many creatives already sense: when you relax, open up, and allow, your brain literally becomes more creative.

Let’s look at what’s really happening when you step into the energy of receiving.

Your Brain on Resistance

When you sit down to write and feel blocked, your brain’s amygdala—the part that processes fear—lights up. It interprets uncertainty (like a blank page) as danger. This triggers the fight-or-flight response, sending stress hormones like cortisol rushing through your body.

In this state, your prefrontal cortex (the part of your brain responsible for problem-solving and imagination) goes quiet. That’s why it feels impossible to come up with fresh ideas when you’re anxious or forcing creativity.

You’re not lazy. You’re just in the wrong brain state for flow.

The Physiology of Allowing

When you shift into openness—through gratitude, meditation, or even a few deep breaths—you calm your nervous system. Cortisol levels drop. Your parasympathetic nervous system activates, signaling safety.

This switch allows your brain to access alpha waves—the frequency associated with creativity, daydreaming, and flow. Neuroscientists call this “the incubation phase,” when insights form below the surface of conscious thought.

In other words, when you stop trying to force the answer, your brain can finally deliver it.

The Role of Dopamine: Your Brain’s Reward Signal

Every time you anticipate something good—finishing a chapter, submitting a piece, or receiving praise—your brain releases dopamine. It’s the neurochemical of motivation and pleasure.

But here’s the catch: dopamine doesn’t just reward outcomes. It also rewards expectation.

That means you can trigger creative motivation before success even arrives, simply by imagining positive results.

When you visualize your writing career unfolding beautifully—readers loving your stories, your book launch going well—you’re not indulging in wishful thinking. You’re literally training your brain to associate writing with reward, not stress.

Gratitude as a Neural Shortcut

One of the fastest ways to move into a receptive state is gratitude.

Studies from UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center show that regular gratitude practice strengthens neural pathways linked to joy and reduces the activation of fear circuits. Gratitude rewires your brain to expect good things—and therefore notice them when they happen.

Try this quick practice: before you write, list three things you’re grateful for in your creative life. They can be small—like the smell of coffee, a favorite pen, or the fact that you have time to write at all.

You’ll feel a subtle shift almost immediately.

Why Writers Thrive in “The Flow State”

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi coined the term flow to describe a state of total absorption in a task. In this state, your inner critic quiets, time dissolves, and your writing feels effortless.

Research shows that flow occurs when:

·       You’re challenged but not overwhelmed.

·       You’re fully focused on one task.

·       You feel safe enough to lose self-consciousness.

That’s why receiving—trusting, allowing, softening—is essential. You can’t enter flow through tension. You enter through surrender.

Openness and the Creative Brain

In personality research, the trait most strongly linked to creativity is openness to experience.

Openness means curiosity, imagination, and the willingness to explore new ideas without judgment. It’s the mental version of receiving.

Writers who cultivate openness see connections others miss. They ask, “What if?” instead of “What’s the point?” They stay flexible, letting inspiration shape their process rather than clinging to control.

When you’re open, you become a conduit for creative energy—not its gatekeeper.

The Simple Science of Surrender

You don’t have to understand neuroscience to benefit from it. You just have to practice what science already knows works:

Breathe deeply before you write. Oxygen increases clarity and calm.

Visualize success. Dopamine rewards the expectation of good things.

Practice gratitude. It lowers stress and primes your brain for flow.

Trust timing. Creativity follows rhythm, not pressure.

The science of receiving is really the science of letting yourself feel safe enough to create.

Next time you feel stuck, remember—your brain isn’t the enemy. It’s waiting for you to relax.

So, take a deep breath, unclench your shoulders, and whisper to yourself: “I am open. I am receptive. I am ready to receive inspiration.”

Science agrees—you’ve just told your brain it’s time to create.

And now, for more information about how the Law of Attraction relates to writing, listen to The Law of Attraction Podcast for Writers. And don't forget to subscribe!

Suzanne Lieurance is an author and a Law of Attraction coach for writers at writebythesea.com

Embracing Change as Creative Fuel

 by Suzanne Lieurance

Writers love comfort. We crave routines, favorite pens, familiar desks, predictable mornings. But life doesn’t always cooperate. Change barges in—uninvited and often unwelcome. Suddenly, the ground shifts. The routines that once worked no longer fit.

The instinct is to resist. We tighten up. We cling to what used to be. But resistance doesn’t stop change; it only stops us from moving with it.

What if, instead, you saw change not as an enemy but as fuel?

Resistance Drains Energy

Think about the last time you resisted change. Maybe a project deadline shifted, or a family routine disrupted your writing hours. How much energy did you spend fighting against it? Probably more than it would have taken to adapt.

 Resistance drains us because it tries to hold back the tide. Flow happens when we step into the current and let it carry us forward.

Change Brings New Raw Material

Every disruption carries new story seeds. A move to a new town brings details of place you’d never have noticed otherwise. A job change brings new characters into your life. Even the loss of something familiar sharpens your perspective.

Writers who embrace change don’t run out of material—they multiply it.

Flow Lives in Flexibility

Flow isn’t rigid. It’s not about controlling the environment so you can write in one perfect way. It’s about showing up with openness, trusting that words will come even if the scene looks different today than it did yesterday.

You don’t need the same ritual every day to write well. You need the ability to bend without breaking.

Turning Change into Power

Here are a few ways to transform resistance into flow:

Shift the Frame: Instead of saying, “I can’t write because everything is different,” say, “Because everything is different, I have new ways to write.”

Shrink the Task: If change steals your time, don’t give up—write one paragraph. Write one sentence. Momentum grows from the smallest spark.

Ask, “What is this teaching me?” Every disruption carries a lesson. Look for it, and your writing will deepen.

A Short Practice

The next time you feel resistance rising, pause. Write a single page beginning with the words: “Change is giving me…”

Let the words flow without editing. You may be surprised by what new energy shows up.

A Writer’s Manifesto

You are not powerless in the face of change. You are a writer. You know how to turn chaos into story, how to transform uncertainty into meaning.

Change is not here to stop you. It’s here to sharpen you. To challenge you. To remind you that creativity is not fragile—it’s resilient.

Every time you resist, you lose momentum. Every time you embrace, you step deeper into your own power.

Closing Affirmation

Repeat this to yourself when life feels unsettled:

I welcome change. I turn resistance into flow. Every shift fuels my creativity. Nothing can silence my words when I choose to move with life, not against it.

And now, before you go, don't forget to get your free subscription to The Morning Nudge for more writing tips and resources delivered to your e-mailbox every weekday morning.

Suzanne Lieurance is the author of over 40 published books and a Law of Attraction coach for writers. Learn more about her coaching services at writebythesea.com.