Secret Three: Following Your Fascinations
These are the things that help me to be brave, and to take that step toward my goal, my dream, my light. That step can be painful and frightening and scary and it sometimes makes me feel sick to my stomach.
- Remembering that people believe in me, and in my talent. I remember compliments paid, the look on someone's face as I read the words that flow from my mind, the stories that are uniquely mine.
- How I feel when I write - like I've slotted into some invisible groove and this is exactly. where. I. need. to. be. The sense of belonging and hope is something I've looked for my entire life, only to find it inside of myself, induced by the act of writing.
- I talk about my writing, mostly to myself. Sometimes I'll be in the car and I'll pretend to be answering questions from a group of people about what it is like to be a successful author. I talk about my characters, my challenges and even though no one is there, and it is just me, I feel like I'm acknowledging my writing self and stroking its soft golden head and thanking it. Okay, that's a little weird. But it works for me. :)
- Knowing that the pain of not doing anything is far more than the discomfort that comes with trying something new.
- Planning. I love to plan, even if my execution is a little shaky sometimes. I read the book Wishcraft that Gail McMeekin mentions in this chapter. I love it, and highly recommend it. Even if it is a bit old, the principles are very sound and some of the best ideas I've heard in regards to goal setting and achieving. If I have a good plan, I find this can make all the difference.
My little step this week will be to get up 30 minutes early on Wednesday morning and spend this time writing. I've been a little out of it lately, possibly due to my massive efforts in November for NaNoWriMo. But, this is me, back to an active writing schedule. Hooray!
6 comments:
Thanks for coming over and giggling at the Bourne Ultimatum - I think the universe is definitely having a laugh at my attempt to be part of this book club!
I love the way you describe how writing feels for you - and also the great way you self-talk with your author self.
I talk to myself a lot and yesterday on the radio heard someone say that people used to think they were mad for talking to themselves but now they just assume they're on a mobile!
I love finding what you've been looking for within and finding it through your writing. How powerful is that? Wow!
I burst out laughing on the 2nd one, laughing out of absolute delight! I don't think it's weird at all - no odder than Jackson Pollack laying canvas on the floor and throwing ink instead of using a canvas and brush ... in other words, it's freakin' brilliant! (I also love "stroking it's soft golden head and thanking it - lovely!)
Hooray for an active writing schedule!
I read Wishcraft years ago and have to agree it was a fabulous book. Found your post very inspirational.
I know the feeling from NaNoWriMo...I haven't even read what I wrote yet! I decided that would be my brave step this week...
I really like how you to talk to yourself about your writing. :)
It's so important to take a break after an intense exercise to refresh :)
Your reflections touched me. I was moved by this one the most:
"Knowing that the pain of not doing anything is far more than the discomfort that comes with trying something new."
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