The Inspiration Post
5 Tips to Get Inspired, an Inspirational Playlist Based on Swordfights & Spaceflights Books, & Book Giveaway Announcement
5 TIPS TO GET INSPIRED
AJ Super
These days it seems like inspiration is at a premium for me. I often wonder if anyone else feels the same way. So, I started exploring the things that I, personally, do to dredge up that hard-to-find creativity so that I could share it with readers. And this isn’t just a list for authors, but for everyone to find that creative bug in whatever you do!
READ
This is a given for most authors. We all need to read just to stay up on comparative titles in our given genres. But there’s something about reading a good, immersive book that gets the imagination going no matter who you are.
LISTEN
Whether you choose a podcast or a playlist, try finding something to listen to that is in your wheelhouse. Take the time to stimulate that brain matter with some music or a chat about something interesting in your field.
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Try new food, new activities, new genres of books, new podcasts, new TV shows, new clothes. Just do something for yourself that you have never done before. If you aren’t a painter, try some cheap brushes and paint. If you aren’t a programmer or into computers, try watching a video about putting together a mini-PC. Just spread your wings and find something that interests you!
GO FOR A WALK
Exercise is always a good idea, especially when in a sedentary office job or at the writer’s desk. It releases endorphins, and I think most people in this rough time of Covid need that extra dose. But use your walk to inspire you. Go for a hike in a particularly pretty forest, walk the streets of the city, or even go for groceries and people watch. If you are a writer, something could spark a character or setting. If you aren’t… Well, maybe you’ve been thinking about a problem only you can solve. Let the environment do the work and enjoy the feel-good hormones while you are at it.
TAKE A BREAK
I’m terrible about this… I will work myself to breaking if I don’t, uh, take a break now and again. I try to take weekends off to refill my creative well. But sometimes that isn’t enough, especially nowadays. Sometimes I need a break in the middle of the week where I do something just for myself. So, whether you take a day for a mani-pedi, a massage, a short jaunt to a neighboring town, or whether you take a whole week and escape to… dream of dreams… that sandy beach you’ve been dying for, treat yourself and rest.
SWORDFIGHTS & SPACEFLIGHTS BOOK THEME SONGS
Books by Casey E. Berger
“Moonlight Sonata” by Hidden Citizens for First Light
“In the End” by 2WEI for Ursa Major
“Survivor” by 2WEI for Dark Stars.
Books by AJ Super
“Glitter & Gold” by Barns Courtney for Erebus Dawning
“Machines” by All Good Things for A Star Reborn
“Where Butterflies Never Die” by Broken Iris for Queen of the Black (book not yet available)
Books by MJ Kuhn
“Dynasties and Dystopia” by Denzel Curry, Gizzle, and Bren Joy (from the Arcane soundtrack) for Among Thieves
Books by Katherine Forrister
“Monster” by Willyecho for Lodestone
Books by Gabrielle Ash
“This is the Time (Ballast)” by Nothing More for The Family Cross
“Blurry (Out of Place)” by Crown the Empire for For the Murder
Books by Liam Quane
“The Watchman” by Michael Barrow and the Tourists for Road to Juneau
Books by Jonathan E. Hernandez
“Soil’s song” by Katatonia for One Day as a Lion
“No Quarter” by Led Zeppelin for Sowing the Dragon’s Teeth
“From the Beginning” by Emerson Lake & Palmer for Sword of Damocles
Books by Greta Kelly
“You Should See Me in a Crown” by Billie Eillish for The Frozen Crown
“What’s Coming to Me” by Dorothy for The Seventh Queen
Books by Noah Lemelson
“Feed the Machine” by Poor Man’s Poison for Sightless City
ANNOUNCEMENTS: BOOK GIVEAWAY
The book giveaway is happening! We’re just waiting for more of you to sign up for the newsletter. (Or bow out if you’re tired of seeing us, LOL!) We have tons of prizes for the peeps who are drawn that have stuck with us until May 17, 2022, which is when we will announce the winners.
Here are the prizes!
Signed hardback of Among ThievesSigned copies of Erebus Dawning & A Star RebornThe Frozen Crown (PB) & The Seventh Queen (HB)Signed hardback of The Road to JuneauThe Family CrossFor the MurdereBook of Sowing the Dragon's TeethSigned copy of First LightLodestoneSigned copy of The Sightless CityGIVEAWAY RULES
Anyone who is signed up with us by May 17th's is eligible.
Only 2 international winners will be chosen for Road to Juneau (physical) and Sowing the Dragon's Teeth (ebook).
Family members of the authors are exempt from this drawing.
Drawing will be held on the 17th of May 2022 and announced on the same day.
Once the drawing is done, the winners will be contacted and book delivery will be arranged.
Get the App
I have exciting news to share: You can now read Swordfights & Spaceflights in the new Substack app for iPhone.
With the app, you’ll have a dedicated Inbox for my Substack and any others you subscribe to. New posts will never get lost in your email filters, or stuck in spam. Longer posts will never cut-off by your email app. Comments and rich media will all work seamlessly. Overall, it’s a big upgrade to the reading experience.
The Substack app is currently available for iOS. If you don’t have an Apple device, you can join the Android waitlist here.
