| HOME |
ACHIEVEMENTS
|
INSPIRATIONS
|
PEOPLE
|
BLOGS
|
CHALLENGES
|
SUPPORT GROUPS
|
PROGRAMS
|
COMMITMENTS
|
If You Want To Write - Article from our Life Coaching Programs
Writers write about things that other people don’t pay much attention to.
~Writing Down the Bones
If You Want To Write
If you want to write, there is something incredibly essential you must do. Now, it’s good to have a favorite place to write, under the apple tree or at your desk. You’ll have a method like a pencil and napkin, or a computer system. It’s great to take a class or join a writer’s group. And a project, something you feel driven to say, is a challenge and bliss. Let’s talk about those things soon.
To begin, though, there is one all-important, ever-present thing every writer must do. That is, write. “Write,” remember this, is a verb. It is an action word. One does this. One can think about it, dream, chat, intend or desire. In fact, most people dream about a writing piece. Each of us has a unique, unrepeatable life, history, and perspective. Often someone says to me, “I could write a book about my life.” I nod and say, “I believe you could.” But will they? Not likely. It’s so few people who do the essential, important thing. The simple thing. To be a writer, you actually write.
It is simple, yet we let all kinds of distractions get in the way. The internet connection is down, the pen is out of ink, athe class I want already started, the dishes need doing, the kids or neighbors are too noisy. I need a writing program, a special journal, a magical appearance of a cabin in the woods with groceries in the cupboard and a month off from all obligations! I need a writing teacher, an illustrator, an editor, or someone to “help me pull my book together.” I bet some of those sound familiar. Yet it is simple. There is only one item on the To Do list:
I’d like you to make your To Do list right now. Then pin it on the wall, sign your email with it, draw it, or hang it from the ceiling on a plastic nightglow star. Today I will write.
Since it’s today, and you are going to write, you’ll be sitting there staring at a blank page. (You’re there, prepared to write. That’s great!). The question naturally comes up: What should I write about?
Writer’s write about things that other people don’t pay much attention to. Toes, beetles, conversations overheard in the market, the empty ginger beer bottle on the street, little sister, a news clip about a shortage of food in Egypt. Write about what touches you, interests you, moves you, and irritates you. Write about how missing the bus made you angry, or the breakfast cereal box and how it blocked your view of your mother at the kitchen table. Start with the weather, the last sentence you heard, a bit of local gossip. If you get stuck, open a book, grab a line, and write about that.
Write, as the writer Natalie Goldberg says, any junk at all. Write it without perfection, without punctuation, without standing over your own shoulder like that 5th grade English teacher with her red pen, who says, “Wrong, wrong, wrong.” Your critical English teacher, or any other critical memory, person or thought, is uninvited to your writing sessions. Whenever this critical voice says anything, you must patiently reply, “No criticism invited,” and get back to your writing. Like a ghost who wants to haunt you, give it no attention. Besides, the timer is ticking.
Daily, uncritical writing is how you nourish, feed, and look after your inner muse, so it will become your cherished friend. You provide a sanctuary inside yourself, where you are kind and open to who you are and what you have to say.
Though you will fill with excitement about what you write, I recommend you do not share this daily scribbling. It’s not for analysis by you or anyone else. This is a practice to build your skills and confidence. It’s your few minutes of free expression. If you are welcoming and appreciative, slowly that inner muse becomes stronger, more vibrant, and more connected with you. Whether you are a seasoned published writer or a beginner, this daily practice is essential. In addition, it’s a great joy. But keep it focused inward. Not on what others will think, not on publication, not on how “good” it is or isn’t. It’s just your daily practice.
Today I will write. At least ten minutes, no excuses. Write with a muse by your side, and no one critical in your mind or in your space. It’s just ten minutes, every day, any topic. Start now. By the end of the week, you’ll be a writer: you’ll be a person who writes.
If you have comments, ideas or you’d like to share how writing goes for you, click that comment button. I’m interested to hear what you need, want, and think.
Let yourself bloom,
Kimberly Wordbird Bate
Great post! I find that just the action of writing about anything helps keep me in the writing mindset. Very effective. Thanks!
Very good. Inspiring - yes. Attainable for me - not likely.
I do write and just about what you start with. Never goes much further though. What I need is someone to organize the ramblings. I did write short articles for a local paper until they folded. I was amazed at the response I got.
Everyone says I should write about all the incredible experiences I've had in caring for the dying. That is very tough for me. Ever consider collaboration?
I think because I am so right brained that organizing a cohesive anything longer than a few paragraphs is beyond me. I can't stay left brained long enough. I'm beginning to think in bytes only.
Joan
I think you have powerful strengths in painting. A unique and stunning perspective. So I would suggest perhaps write daily, in your bytes, because it has so many benefits, like emptying your mind of clutter, letting you know more about how you feel, clarifying what you want to say.
I'm writing soon about what to do with these daily writings. How to "go farther" as you say.
For you, I feel the greatest thing would be to paint your experiences. People need insight, communion and connection about death and dying, very much. You can give that to them through your paintings.
Another thought is we can combine strengths. Collaborate with ourselves. You have strong writing skill for short length, and powerful painting skill. You can combine them in a project. It's better I believe to go with your strengths, and practice, improve and utilize them, rather than try to force yourself into the areas that are a struggle. Thanks for your great comment.
Empty my mind of clutter?
Then what do I have left?
I do see what you mean though. Scary thought.
I'll think about painting an experience. Did I ever tell you about the Carp?
Joan
Quetzaltlahtolitzin
It's so much a pleasure to read you! I know Nathalie Goldberg's book and thanks to you, I went back to that wonderful thought that a writer is not the one who dreams or dreads about writing but the one who actually writes. I remember that challenge of ours of writing every day... Ten minutes daily, I can do that. And, most importantly, those minutes not looking at my notes will be the closest to my heart because it's my own song sung.
Thanks for being you...
Beatriz
Today I will write!
Yes post it everywhere.
My inspiration for attempting to write 1,000 words a day comes from "The Cat Who.. series. In the books one of the characters writes two 1000 page articles a week for the local newspaper. He writes on any subject and is always looking for ideas and inspiration, and he always writes his two articles a week. (Bye the way, these books
contain so many lessons about writing, I believe everyone should read them. Nothing ever seems to happen yet whole stories get told.)
When I first made writing 1000 words a day a goal, I had no idea how I would do that. Now I have a blog and a newsletter, and social networking and I write well over 1,000 words a day. All of it is not pretty, but the muse strikes often to lift your words and make them fly.
I keep note books everywhere just to write down a phrase, or a sentence when it strikes.
I agree with the whole idea of writing with out perfection. Way to many people never write because they want perfection before they show anyone what they have written.
Writing isn't perfect, never will be.
Poetry is a great example of that. When
a poem somehow makes its way through me to the page, I know that I have been given a gift to share, and it is not my job to decide whether it's "good" poetry or "bad". Those terms have no meaning in a spiritual sense.
Write... let the words out... don't try to rearrange , then let them sit and then and only then cut.
Do the edit once and publish.
Save all your dribbles, half sentences, broken thoughts, quick descriptions, everything. Some where, some when you will use the material in ways that you never thought of at the time.
Writing is about letting go, getting outside, what is inside, in any possible way you can.
Let the muse come to you, let the muse do the work, your job is to be the vehicle.
Yes and sing your song with all your heart for anyone who will , for a moment tarry, and listen.
The more you let it flow, the more flow you have to let.
Nick
That should be two 1000 word articles. Opps!
Nick
Today I will write.
Thanks for the reminder, the encouragement, the inspiration and the gentle reminder to be consistent, non-judgmental and open.
I do write nearly daily. I write my gratitudes, prayers, accomplishments, affirmations. I write to do lists. Sometimes, when the spirit moves me I write blogs or comment on blogs. Much of my work calls upon my ability to write, to pull ideas together, so in a sense, I do write for a living, although this is transactional, strategic and non-published writing.
When the muse strikes, I write poetry. People have told me I should write a book, given my life's experiences. And they said this even before 9/11, before my family's and my illness and recovery. Maybe one day, but I really don't feel compelled to do so now. My muse comes in small doses - so far. When I let go and give the muse space to take over, I like the product. When I just breathe and write, I am occasionally gifted with the capacity to call upon and be in touch with the animating creative spirit of life. For now, that's enough.
I have occasionally considered the possibility of writing for a living in the sense of getting my writing published and paid for. Ultimately, I don't think I have the courage or confidence to take this path. I am eternally grateful to those who have. I am an avid reader and can't imagine life without books and articles, movie and play scripts, poets and songwriters.
All these comments are an extra gift to readers who stop by. Thanks so much.
Isaac Asimov said exactly the same thing.
I don't remember his precise words, but the meaning was that no matter what happens today, YOU WRITE. In his case, writing was his job, and he took it seriously. He diligently sat down and wrote, every day.
No excuses.
Blank page syndrome? excuse!
tired? excuse!
lack of inspiration? excuse!
He was a great writer...and started off as a great scientist.
I happen to study the SAME protein he worked on for his PhD thesis...so funny!
My writing (the kind that good old Isaac hated so much!) is very different. I have to write a thesis, 7 chapters, which will be converted into scientific papers (hopefully, of course!).
sometimes it is difficult. and there are distractions everywhere. nontheless, there's only one thing I can do. I have 7 chapters to write, and if I keep writing, they'll become 6, then 5, then 4...
Luckily, scientific writing has strict rules and although you must have your own style, it doesn't matter if you repeat the same word 5 times in one sentence...if that's necessary to get the message across.
another thing that works for me, is to write on different topics at the same time. if I get stuck on chapter 3, I go back to chapter one and polish it up...or read a few articles that need to be reviewed and added to my reference.
finally, I have people that read what I write. which is great. it means I can submit it to them even if it is not perfect and they will suggest changes, additions...in the end, even if I am stuck on a particular point, their imput will get the ball rolling again.
then of course, when I have time I write for myself. I have a blog, which is a great way to stay connected to people far away...and I do write long e-mails, even to myself!
I don't intend to be a writer...I just write because it helps me to get the message across. I need all the practice I can get.
write is a verb..
am in the middle of this book. Inspiring and makes me feel a bit foolish to be spending so much time NOT writing.
Great Post - thanks!
Thanks Wordbird for a great article. You have aroused the muse in me. I hope you write more articles like this. I think I can't do this but now I am more motivated than ever!
WRITE ON RIGHT ON be smitten with what you've written
Are you sitten? Have you been bitten? Ready to chase after the things you should be gitten?
Expression tantalizing text in and out of context from concave to convex... any word can come next now time to redirect...
Soulful dimensions from honest intentions mentions inventions from various conventions. "like a one winged-bird flying in frantic circles " "test drove like a tank" "surreal cereal quality like walking on corn-flakes with sugar but no milk!"
The new automatic windshield laser saver would be a boon to society, no more dead bug splatters to look through or at. Upon futher examination and having a laser in the visual spectrum it has been determined that
curious and experimenting students may be distracted and even quite taken with a free laser light show.
I could not resist to put something, anything, OK those things I just wrote. No rhyme or reason, oops ok some rhyme and unreasonable reasons LOL> It is about the action writing as a VERB I love it!!