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Welcome to Pairings
Pairings by Jann Alexander include creativity, inspiration, books, writing, photography, art, history, travel, Texas life, lore and more
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Jann Alexander
Dec 112 min read
The Next Best Thing To Time Travel
When you’re researching historical fiction, it would be so much easier to just rev up the Time Machine. My Time Machine was in the shop ,...
Jann Alexander
Dec 41 min read
Focus Only on What You Are Writing Now
Henry Miller's own Eleven Commandments of Writing helped him maintain his focus on work in progress. Can they help with yours, too?
Jann Alexander
Dec 14 min read
How Four Words Got Me Back on the Writing Track
Here's how four words — Create First, React Later — can help to keep you on the writing track.
Jann Alexander
May 282 min read
Where Old Typewriters Go to Die
Crowded out by more robust tools, typewriters have vanished from our desks. But not our back yards.
Jann Alexander
Dec 26, 20231 min read
How To Celebrate The Holidays Like A Texan
Looking for some unique new traditions? Here are seven ways to celebrate Christmas Texas-Style, like they do in Austin, Texas.
Jann Alexander
Dec 2, 20232 min read
Creativity Works … When You Work
Don’t fight it. Creativity is a choice. Once you make it, the ups, and the downs, are the fun part.
Jann Alexander
Apr 20, 20231 min read
Renewed Inspiration In An Artist’s Poem
In 2006 I wrote this ode to my creative spirit, "Artist's Poem," and found renewed inspiration.
Jann Alexander
Apr 12, 20233 min read
When in Doubt, I Hit the Road
Hitting the road is part of my creative process. And I never pass by a historical marker without braking.
Jann Alexander
Mar 6, 20233 min read
Three Surprising Sources for Writers ISO Ideas
Inspiration strikes in strange and unexpected ways. But when it doesn’t strike, there are three tricks to juice it along.
Jann Alexander
Oct 29, 20223 min read
What Happens When You Let Go
When you let go, you create space for something else to move in to your life, as Holiday Mathis told me in my horoscope.
Jann Alexander
Apr 29, 20222 min read
Requirements for Writing Fiction
Embrace your dual gifts: you can inhabit two worlds, and you can slide between them with ease. It’s just what writers do.
Jann Alexander
Apr 4, 20221 min read
What Are You Doing This Morning?
In one short paragraph author Flannery O'Connor nails down her work ethic — one that will motivate your creative soul.
Jann Alexander
Mar 15, 20222 min read
Where Inspiration Comes From
Inspiration comes from many places. No use pretending it all comes out of our heads with no other stimulation. We rely on influences.
Jann Alexander
Feb 24, 20213 min read
Prescription for a Creative Funk
To ignore a creative funk is to imperil your creative stamina. Here's out to take a time out to tend to your creative soul.
Jann Alexander
Sep 11, 20151 min read
Where Inspiration Lies, Motivation Lurks
Inspiration shows up anywhere and everywhere. But motivation isn’t as reliable.
Jann Alexander
Apr 8, 20151 min read
What I Like About Photography
What I like best about photography is that there’s always another photo. Since I can shoot with the camera that's always in my pocket.
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