Creativity is a peculiar thing. It visits some people like an old friend who’s always early, and for others, it’s the high school crush who shows up just often enough to keep you hooked. For me, creativity is a working-class miner from my hometown in West Virginia: stubborn, tough, but willing to dig deep when treated right. Over the years, I’ve learned that coaxing it out requires rituals—routines that start the engine, lube the gears, and help keep the ideas flowing. If you’ve ever stared at a blank page (or felt stuck in any part of your life), maybe a few of my quirks will inspire you to carve out your own practices.

Morning Coffee: The Muse’s Alarm Clock

Some people wake up to chirping birds, eager children, or—if you’re blessed and cursed in equal measure—a very persistent dog. My mornings start with the low burble of a stovetop percolator, brewing coffee strong enough to make a lumberjack sweat. It’s not just about the caffeine (although, let’s be honest, caffeine does the Lord’s work). For me, the ritual of making coffee is essential. The percolator takes its time—no rush, no shortcuts. That sound reminds me to let creativity wake up at its own pace, too. Forcing it just won’t do.

Best part? Each morning, I pair that first sip with a thought exercise I call "The Daily What If." I spend five minutes imagining wild scenarios: What if someone fell in love through wind-chime messages? What if a coal miner unearthed a portal to the past? Nine out of ten ideas are terrible, but that tenth one? That’s a keeper.

So grab a mug (bonus points if it’s chipped and full of character) and start asking your own "What ifs." You don’t have to be a writer to benefit—what if your date turned out to be a secret karaoke star? What if their dog could predict the weather? Daydreaming like this keeps life interesting, and I promise the right cup of coffee makes the ideas flow smoother.

Nature Walks: West Virginia Roots Meet Maine Shores

There’s something sacred about putting your feet on the earth and breathing in air that smells… well, like nature. Growing up in Appalachia, I spent plenty of time wandering the hills and forests, usually trying to avoid the wrath of a certain rooster who had it out for me. (That bird was basically Clint Eastwood with wings.) These days, my walks take me along Maine’s wind-bitten coastline. Both places remind me that creativity often starts outside of four walls.

The best ideas I’ve ever had didn’t come to me while sitting at a desk—they showed up while I was crunching over fallen leaves or listening to the rhythm of crashing waves. There’s a looseness in walking, a freedom to let your mind wander without judgment. I’ve composed entire scenes in my head or figured out sticky issues in relationships simply by letting the trail lead me for 20 minutes.

Can’t step outside? Even pacing around your living room can do the trick. After all, Dorothy didn’t find the Emerald City sitting in Kansas—she had to put on those ruby slippers and get moving.

Soundtracks for a Scene (or a Mood)

If you grew up in a trailer in West Virginia like I did, you know music is more than just entertainment—it’s the backdrop to someone crying over a lost love (or an empty beer bottle), the soundtrack to a neighbor fixing his truck out back. Music has always been my creative fuel, and it changes depending on what I need to write—or feel.

When I’m working on something tender, you’ll catch me listening to Alison Krauss or some cello-heavy Yo-Yo Ma masterpiece. If I need grit and fire? Cue Johnny Cash or Springsteen. Some moments call for silence, but creativity often requires the perfect playlist, like the mixtape you made for your middle school crush.

Pro tip: Never underestimate the power of creating a “main character soundtrack.” Whether you’re trying to channel ideas or just prep your mind for a great first date, try building a playlist with songs that reflect your mood—or the vibe you want to have. Who knows? That perfect track might help you nail the next chapter of your novel… or at least your conversation over dinner.

Deadlines and Dating: The Art of Manufactured Pressure

Here’s the funny thing about inspiration—it rarely shows up when you most need it. That’s why creativity, like romance, sometimes requires a little push.

In my newspaper days, nothing whipped me into shape faster than a deadline. And frankly, I’ve applied a similar philosophy to dating and relationships. When things felt stagnant, I’d put myself on some self-imposed timeline: meet someone new by this time, have a dinner entirely free of small talk by that time. (Contestant #1 in this experiment showed up with a shrimp fork in his pocket—for what purpose, I still don’t know. Contestant #2 turned into a solid four-month romance.)

For writing, my trick is creating tiny, manageable deadlines that force action without overwhelming. Can I write at least 300 words before lunch? Can I sketch out a rough outline in 10 minutes? When it’s dating or something else in life—can I commit to shooting my shot or trying something new once this week? Pressure, applied just right, can be a motivator rather than a creativity killer.

Tap into Nostalgia—But Not Too Hard

My childhood stories—the Appalachia hills, porch swing evenings, coal dust on my dad’s work boots—embody so much of my writing voice. Nostalgia is powerful. It reminds you who you are, where you came from, and, most importantly, why you started.

But here’s the thing: you can’t stay in nostalgia forever. Use it as foundation, not a crutch. I pull memories into my work when they fit, but sometimes that same storytelling style fuels how I connect with others in relationships. A shared story over dinner or bringing up something special about where I grew up has been the base of amazing conversations. Just make sure your nostalgia doesn’t feel like dragging someone into your high school Yearbook Club meeting.

Embrace the Power of Disconnecting

Here’s a hot take: I don’t write well with distractions. Big shocker, right? But let’s face it—texts, alerts, and mindlessly scrolling can zap creativity faster than a hot circuit in an old truck. So I’ve started taking what I call “unplugged hours.”

This isn’t just for writers; it’s transformative for relationships, too. Taking time to power down and focus on someone—or even yourself—lets you recharge and reconnect. After all, the best stories (and the deepest relationships) happen when we’re fully present.

The Wrap-Up: We’re All Creatives at Heart

Whether you’re crafting the next Great American Novel, figuring out how to tell someone you’re into them, or simply brainstorming the weekend’s plans, we all need creativity in our lives. And like dating, it works best with a mix of effort, courage, and the occasional twist of humor.

So, find your rituals, whether it’s through coffee-fueled “what ifs,” walking questions into answers, or soundtracking your way to a fresh perspective. The important part? Trust your process—however quirky it looks—and show up. After all, relationships, like creativity, are made in the showing up. And who knows? Maybe the muse is closer than you think—or brewing right there in your percolator.