Well, no one laughed at me.

They listened to me (mostly), and I was not called a fraud. Here are my takeaways from the retreat:

• I’m thankful (but we could all be more so) for the creative gift I have been given, and I will take on the responsibility of sharing it with the world.

• I will toss fear and comparison to the curb because they do not serve me.

• I will create space for my dreams and continue to dream the impossible

When we make space for creativity, creativity shows up for us. I’m living proof it’s true.

So whether you want to start a new writing routine or not, whether you consider yourself a creative or not, if you have a dream, it’s time to put it in front of your face and breathe life into it.

I’m so blessed I get to do what I love every day. Don’t you want to say the same?

If you’re thinking now is the time to start something, then CONTACT ME about beta testing my courses.

I have 3

LIVING WRITE is all about getting your routine under control. Whether you have some writing time or a lot of writing time, we will get you some space to create. Don’t think you’re exempt if you’re not a writer. Creative people of all stripes need a routine.

SKILL SCHOOL is grammar basics for writers. Even if you’re a seasoned writer, you may not know which rules you’re breaking (or how to do so with confidence). Beginner and Advanced writers welcome.

ENVISION is about creating a vision board and getting your dreams on paper. In order to create the life you love, you have to make space in some key areas. I help you eliminate the clutter and focus on the dream.

xxxlinsey

By the time you read this, I will be at the Space 2 Create Writing Retreat with my cousins, sisters, fellow hope*writers, and brand new friends.

I absolutely cannot wait.

I have some trepidation that I hope to exorcise by writing about it: I have terrible imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome involves unfounded feelings of self-doubt and incompetence.

healthline.com

No matter how good I am, no matter how many awards I’ve won or accolades I’ve received. No matter how many times I’ve succeeded. I don’t feel I’ve earned a place at the table.

I still fear that no one will listen to me, that people will make fun of me, that I will be exposed as a fraud.

But that’s not the truth.

I’m not a fraud. I’m an experienced expert. I have the knowledge and the track record to back me up.

So, move over, Imposter Syndrome.

I’m clearing this table and using it as my platform.

Here’s a sneak peek into my presentation for the retreat this week and the coming course:

*IN* VISION

PUT YOUR FUTURE ON PAPER

For creative people, the visceral matters and the visual is visceral.

You’ll learn:

The importance of a vision board:

How to organize a vision board:

My favorite vision board categories and why:

LEARN MORE.

I’m excited to bring this to them and you. CONTACT me for more details and have a great week!

xxxlinsey

Writing is like reading except the book is trying to kill you

Lauren DeStefano

original post

Why write?

or Create, if you prefer, for writing is an art as much as painting, sculpting, dancing, and music making.

Why do it at all?

This isn’t a rhetorical question.

I’d really like to know what you think.

I can tell you why I do it…then again…I wonder if I can.

Because it’s private, isn’t it? Maybe we’ve never asked ourselves the question before, but we know immediately it’s off-limits, at least until we’ve had a chance to view it.

Well, here we go…

Why do I write what I write how I write it?

because it’s true. the worst thing you can do in fiction is lie.

this one’s me

My truth is dark.

I don’t know why. I probably wouldn’t have chosen it that way, if I’d been given a choice. Then again, I’ve always been a red-pill kinda girl.

My point: I wouldn’t have chosen the pain, but I don’t regret it. Pain is an excellent if harsh, teacher. Experience is another.

Fiction is the truth inside the lie

Stephen King

If we continue to be afraid of the dark, the light cannot win. I want to look at the ugliness and pain that is in the world and show it I am not afraid. It can’t scare me.

I am a Lightbringer.

Why create??

Because I can’t not.

If we refuse to bring the light, the darkness will win.

And we can’t have that.

xxxlinsey

When is the best time of day for writing?

I’ve added my own answers and polled some hope*writers for their answers as well.

The truth is, there is no best time to write.

Or, conversely,

EVERY time is a good time to write.

It doesn’t matter what you write or when, the fact that you are writing is the important part. I broke the day down into three categories: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening and listed the pros and cons for each time of the day. Let’s get into it.

MORNING

Pros: Let’s face it, you’re at your best. You’ve just come off a good night of sleep and your energy level is at the highest it will be all day. This is a great time to get going and start your day at the computer or with your notebook. Many people decide morning is the best time to write because they and their ideas are freshest. Many writers can think more clearly, get more done, and have fewer distractions.

Cons: Not everyone is a morning person. It can be hard to get up in the morning for something you technically don’t have to do. Some people have early morning responsibilities, such as getting kids off to school, making lunches, and commuting to work. Some folks can get up an hour early to work out or have a quiet time or write, but it’s not a possibility for everyone.

AFTERNOON

Pros: Some people may have more free time in the afternoon when kids are at school or in activities. Benefits of the afternoon include not being so tired or so rushed to get from point A to point B. Most people are already awake and well into their day by lunchtime and the afternoon can be a reprieve from morning or evening activities. If there’s a lull, it can be a great time to write. Sometimes the afternoon just works better.

Cons: On the flip side, some people are worn out by the afternoon and hit a slump. Ferrying kids to and from school and after-school activities can leave little time for creativity. It’s also a somewhat awkward time of day in between busy mornings and evenings. Unless one has a designated writing time for the afternoon, the creativity can get lost in the activity shuffle.

EVENING

Pros: Day is done and so are most of life’s responsibilities. After dinner and kids’ bedtime, there can be some glorious writing hours, especially for those who consider themselves “night owls.” Many people find it easier to think about themselves and their writing after they’ve had a full day of activity. Plus, the ideas have had all day to mull around your brain and take shape. Evenings can be the quietest time of day and more conducive to concentration and productivity.

Cons: Most people have been zapped by the end of their full day. Work, kiddos, and other responsibilities can wear on a writer, and it can take major self-control to sit down to write when all you want to do is hit the hay. Not to mention, you may have more evening activities to attend to and your day may not end until quite late.

So what’s the answer?

Write whenever works for you.

The most important thing about writing is consistency. Writers have to make time to write, and that means utilizing the “crack” space in between activities, or scheduling a “chunk” of time in which to be productive.

What works for you will depend on the kind of writer you are.

The most important thing is to write.

As for me, I find my best time is in the morning, though I do schedule some writing times in the evenings like my LIVE@5 WRITING STREAM on Tuesday nights. I find it best to write in “chunks” (though I do occasionally take advantage of the “crack” time) because I can concentrate on my subject and minimize distractions.

What about you? Do you write in “cracks” or “chunks?” What time of day do you write?