I would like to start this post, by saying that this is written mainly for myself, and in the event that it helps others, well then all the better. I haven't been making an appearance around these parts very much last week. I've been completely wrapped up reading the Outlander series and I have forced myself to take a little break from it. Am I the only one that becomes all-consumed with a book series (especially one that has already been published in its entirety) and won't do anything else until all of the books have been read, typically in a manner of weeks? 

So unless I wanted to discuss the pros and cons of 18th century Jacobite politics (although the fact that I was reading the books while Scotland was much more peaceably looking to break away from England was not lost on me), I was facing an acute case of writer's block when I sat down behind the computer screen last night. The mild fear that comes with the blinking cursor almost made me want to call it quits. Multiple times.

Then I flipped through the journal where I jot down ideas for blog posts, and what do you know I found? A list of ways to beat writer's block that I must have written at a time when the words and ideas for sharing on the Internet were plenty. 

And now I'll share the same advice that I am taking myself in order to overcome the singular fear that all writer's fear the most: a blank screen (or page, if we're going old school.)

Take a walk. 

And no I don't mean on the elliptical while you catch up on all 153 episodes of Gilmore Girls soon to be on Netflix. The temperatures are slowly dropping so it is the perfect time to take advantage of the fresh air. It's good not only for your waistline, but also for your creativity. 

Jot down all half-thought out ideas you have and revisit them later. 

Some will be absolutely horrible. Or may be better as a witty tweet rather than an entire blog post. However, some will be gems. Write everything down, no matter how trivial because perhaps in a few days or weeks, you will have new experiences or new thoughts to expand on the initial thought. Mull them over, discard the ones that don't interest you anymore and save the rest for a rainy day. 

Find beauty in the ordinary.

One of the first lessons you are taught when writing is to write about what you know. This is why novels often have the note in the front: Any character resemblance to a person is purely coincidental. Start with writing what you know, even if it seems quite ordinary and dull to you. It might strike a chord with someone else, you never know. 

What do you do to beat writer's block or a lack of inspiration?

The lovely Caity of Where the Heart is and  Monica of The Travel Hack nominated to take part in this blog hop, and I rarely ever turn down a writing prompt handed to me. It's a chance to share a behind the scenes look at where the blogging magic happens. Although I don't have a cute fur baby like Monica to grace the my workspace, I'll go ahead and share it anyways. 

Q1. What am I currently working on/writing?

I'm not going to lie, this space has not bee one of my top priorities lately, but that is going to change. I've missed it. Between writing for work and for this space, sometimes it feels like I have used up my word limit for the day by the time I make it home. Am I the only one that feels this way? 

There are a few trips on the horizon to Orlando with Samantha (T-minus six days until your newsfeeds blow up with dozens of photos of me drinking butterbeer. Still working on a hashtag for the trip...any suggestions?) and then to the beach later in September after the crowds have calmed down, but before the madness that is Georgia-Florida weekend at St. Simons.

Q2. How does my work/writing differ from others of its genre?

This is a great question! The hilarious part is that I'm not quite sure what genre Stamp in my Passport falls into besides the general "lifestyle" category. I wouldn't say that this blog has gone though a slight identity crisis, but it has been an adjustment. The bank account doesn't want to keep up with all of the travels I want to take to have something to write about. To supplement that, I fill the space with snapshots of my life and my sometimes off-the-wall take on situations. 

Is it a travel blog? No. It's more of a stream-of-consciousness blog. Some people like it, some don't. I share what I love and what inspires me. And sometimes that is all over the place. But since this is first and foremost for me, I'm ok with that. And I hope you are, too. 

Q3. Why do I write what I do?

I touched on it in the previous answer, I write about what inspires me and is at the front of my mind. Time and time again, I am amazed that complete strangers from all over the world choose to read what I have to write. Thank you for that! 

Don't let the desk fool you, I mainly work from my couch or bed.

Q4. How does my writing process work?

I was tagged in this blog hop a while ago and focused on this question and described my writing process as "typing away in semi-coherent sentences." I keep a journal with me almost all of the time to jot down post ideas as they come to me. Sometimes I will flesh the ideas out, and sometimes I simply leave the topic to elaborate on once I sit down behind the computer when the pressure is on. Then I like to spend part of the weekend while watching Netflix to finalize which post ideas I want to include in the upcoming week. If I'm feeling really ambitious, I will also take photos to go along with them. If not, it's to the archives or Death to Stock Photo for me. Finally, either on the weekend or sometimes the night before I will put my fingers to the keyboard and type to my heart's content. And voila! I hit publish. And hope that people will read it. 

To continue on with the fun, I nominate: 

Sara of Bristol in My Pocket She's a Texan living in England. Feel free to join me in living vicariously through her posts.

Christina of Route Bliss I never tire of Christina's mix of posts on travel, photography and real life. 

Aubrey of Adventures in Aubreyland I think the reason that I love Aubrey's blog can be summed up in her page titles: Travel, My Cats and Where to Eat. These are three of my favorite things too.