If you have stories regarding Creative Patience or Filling the Well, we want to hear them. This journey can be a lonely one and we can use all the encouragement available. If you have a story to share, please contact me. We’d love to hear it.
Now, on to exploring a different concept: Documenting
This is one from my history and it’s a hard story to tell. A very wise person and the original reader of this blog, once gave me some very good advice about Creative Blocks.
If you can’t Create, Document.
It was, like most of this person’s advice, simple but cryptic.
I was seriously blocked. Maybe the worst in my life. This advice got me unstuck.
But.
What does it MEAN?
It’s actually very easy, but it can be VERY hard to start.
Documenting means putting down in words what’s happening around you. It can be the weather, your feelings, daily occurrences, habit tracking, or anything really. What you document is up to you.
The point is to keep a log (of anything) that proves you are moving through the world. Things are happening to you. You are surviving. You have not given up.
It starts with paying attention.
Write about what flowers are in bloom or what birds or insects are visiting them.
Write about what the sky looks like and what the colors remind you of in other parts of nature.
Write about what you had for breakfast lunch and dinner and how you acquired that food, who you ate it with, how it tasted, and how you felt after.
Write about anything.
You may be surprised to find some of these descriptors showing up later in your fiction or non-fiction writing when you are past your block. You never know what little tidbits of the journey are useful that you might otherwise have overlooked.
STRUGGLES & SUCCESSES
Fortunately, I haven’t been at this stage in a very long while, but I have been broken before.
I’ve counted hours, staring at the ceiling, thankful to be alive.
Not pleasant, but doable.
If you can count, gather, catalogue, list, track, or otherwise document your surroundings for 30 days, I bet it will change your writing game, and maybe your life.
Last week, I wrote about Artist Dates from The Artist’s Way. This week, I introduce Julia Cameron’s other tool: Morning Pages.
If you don’t know about Morning Pages, I’ll explain more in this week’s email, but suffice it to say they are longhand writing.
(If you’re not getting the email, let me know, or hop on over to linseyewing.com and sign up under the Get Access tab.)
There’s no better way to Document.
Start with a new journal, a new pen and a new attitude, or pick up a well-loved friend and pour your heart out.
Start now.
Remember, the “what” is up to you. The “why” is yours too. Here’s a “how” you can try, and if you don’t, well, don’t blame me. I’ve given you the “when” and now the “who” should be obvious.
Here’s another challenge: If even pen and paper feel too much for your poor heart, try a camera. Log your days with photos or videos. Collage or paint or make a pretty log book. Try something. See what happens.
If you like this series on Writer’s Block, would you Fill Out This Form? It’s all about Writer’s Block and would help us both tremendously.
CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS
TDG: Final Stages In Progress
ASD Draft 0: 15,401
Project Zero: 0
It’s Happening. The Daily Grind is underway.
Dreaming and Doing at the same time is not my ideal way to function, but it is A way to do things. I am currently finishing the final draft, planning the launch, writing the book description, negotiating the cover, and thinking about marketing all for TDG. Some of it feels too early. Some of it feels too late. All of it feels wrong. All of it feel exactly right.
I persevere.
You’ll notice a new project on the list. I plan to start it as soon as this is over. Maybe October. Stay tuned.
HAPPENING THIS MONTH
Every Tuesday in August: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST
Next on the Radar: Author’s Roundtable. TBA.
Authors Interviewed: 3
This is a fun little idea I had in February that is coming to fruition. We’re going to hear from a panel of authors about their passion projects, planning styles, processes, and publishing plans. Stay tuned for details. And as always, if you’d like to participate, please message me!
In Other News
Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.
Start or Finish today. I can help.
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