On Writing

Uninspired? Change Your Spot

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Today, as I was getting ready to work on my novel, I could not get myself started.  I sat at the desk, opened the file, and soon got distracted with something else.  I knew I had to go back to it, but something was not quite right.  I felt the urge to go outside and write, pen in hand.  I looked outside and the chair was still a bit wet from last night rain, but I went outside anyway.  I sat to write.  Soon, words started to pour, almost nonstop.  In no time, I had a chapter done, as soon as the words stopped pouring in.

I understood that I was ready to write, just not at my desk.  Sometimes, just moving to another spot will do the trick to get you started on that page or that chapter.  Next time, if you want to get started but somehow don’t seem to connect with your muse, go somewhere else and try it.

Turning Point

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It took some time to master the courage to follow my dream of writing – and going through many jobs as well.  There are three things that I love – Writing, Real Estate, and Art – of this I am sure.  Writing is me, Real Estate is pure beauty, and Art is an outlet.

When I decided to write, my goal was to write my first novel.  I am happy to say that I did that and I started my second novel.  During that time, I got distracted doing other assignments – all related to my love of writing –  however, this has taken me away from my dream of becoming a novelist and it has taken all my time, leaving me with little time to write my next novel.

It dawned on me that  I had deviated from my dream and that I was at a turning point – I realized that I had to turn back.  Many times, we set sail on the right path to later discover that we have deviated from it doing something similar to what we were set out to do in the beginning.  Once more, we find ourselves mustering the courage to turn back, and setting up the sails to a different wind.

Citrus Spray for Writing

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Many times, writing can be a tedious and time-consuming job that can leave you almost asleep at the keyboard, after many hours.  Even when you take short breaks, and pour the coffee to no end, this may happen.  For when I feel in a Zombie state, I have a quick remedy that seems to work for me – Citrus spray.  I spray it around the room, and a few minutes later, I feel focused and even re-energized.  I used Pure Citrus, and eco-friendly and natural brand.  It also comes in a mix of vanilla with citrus or lavender with citrus, but the main citrus aroma seems to overwhelm the vanilla and lavender scents, so you mostly smell the citrus.  It works for me, it may work for you too.  Just sharing this simple trick.

Shakespeare a Day 14

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“Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge had stomach for them all.” – Othello, The Moor of Venice

This line is full of emotion, vengeance and anger – both strong and powerful emotions that can take over the best of our humanity.  It only takes a moment for those emotions to undo the best in us.  As humans, we experience a ray of feelings and emotions that can shape our behavior; the real power rests in how we deal with them.

My favorite authors are the ones that can tell a good story but also let me feel the emotions through the words in the page.

White Blanket of Dreams

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The snow inspired me today, so I decided to write a few verses.

Frozen branches 

White blanket of dreams,

one by one falling.

Covering my Universe,

Hearts of many, minds of few.

Ice age in frozen time,

one by one dreams are falling

as snowflakes unique

white blanket of dreams.

If I ever wake up from dreamland that’s thawed,

flowers of ice would grow amongst us.

One by one dreams are falling,

Petals of ice, frozen desires.

Hope you enjoyed my attempt at poetry 🙂

I Asked, I Believe, Now What?

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The Law of attraction is based in three simple principles or steps – Asking, Believing, and Receiving.  The asking process might seem the easiest one, however, many times we ask the wrong way.  We ask from a place of lack, instead of visualizing clearly what we want.  To ask we just have to visualize our lives the way we want, or the object in our lives.  Believing is in my opinion, the hardest step, as we feel, talk, and act with the joy and conviction that what we asked for is already here, just waiting for us to receive it.  Now what?

Opening our arms to receive is the next step.  But as easy as it sounds, the key here is to get ready to receive, to truly prepare the path, and act as if what you asked for is already in you life.  It may be confusing, but for us writers, it may involve writing that second novel because the first one is on its way to be published – however, you have not heard from any agents yet.  That is not important here, what is important is to continue your work with open arms – the only way to receive.  And it doesn’t hurt to have fun in the process.

The Reason to Create

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Why do you create?  For whom do you create?  Approaching our craft with this question in mind can help focus our work.  It also helps set the mood for the day, even when you are not in your best mood.  It helps discern the goal – for what you work for or towards. 

When you approach your craft with Love, you are in for a great day at what you do best.  When you approach your craft with love for your Creator, then it makes all the difference.  You are gifting something to others and to your “God” or however you happen to call him/her/it.  Assuming this attitude will not only get you thru your daily task, it will improve it, make it better, because you are offering it to your Creator.

Next time you are about to paint, write, or do what you do best, answer this question.  The answer will set up the mood of the day.  If your answer is – for the agent or publisher, for the pesky boss … then maybe you should go back and reexamine your reasons.

If you don’t believe in a spiritual level, then the answer should be for you – for your contentment and happiness.

We all have to work to pay the bills, care for the family, and many other commitments; however, it is how we approach our craft that makes the difference.

Listen, Watch, Wait

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Yesterday’s post was about the need of every artist or creative person to Trust, Be Still, and Listen.  Today’s post is about the importance of continuing with the process – Listen, Watch, Wait.

For many, this might seem stagnant – lack of action – and not too goal oriented.  However, it is just the opposite.  As we listen to Spirit, we learn to see opportunities in a different light, we train ourselves to Watch, to be vigilant for the many blessings that await us as creative beings. 

When we watch, we know that we are watching with positive eyes, and learning to wait – learning to receive.  Many times, waiting is the hardest part, especially for artists and writers who want to see their work in print, published, or on exhibit.  This waiting becomes worry, and worry takes us far away from receiving – receiving all that is already ours, what we have asked for in the beginning.

When we are capable of listening, watching, and waiting, we attune ourselves to our goals.

Sleep Your Way

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One of the areas that we seem to neglect the most is having a good night sleep.  One of the biggest culprits –  chores, TV, PC, and all our favorite shows and movies.  It is truly hard to dedicate the proper amount of hours to sleeping.  However, I have found that when I go to bed earlier, I am more productive the next day and my mind seems more clear.  For me, eight hours seems to be the perfect amount, others need more, others less. 

Sleeping well makes me less grouchy and it actually helps my writing.  I can write more in less amount of time, and it also helps my inspiration – ideas flow more fluently.  I recommend sleeping as a tool for better writing – it does sound funny, but true, at least in my case.

When I feel less tired and more refreshed/awake the tone set for the day is totally different and I can carry out many things that have been put aside for lack of energy or “time.”  Somehow, suddenly there is time for more …

Give it a try, and see if it helps your writing and your day, overall.

Don’t Avoid People

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Many writers and artists endure long hours of solitude working in their craft.  Social contact is limited for many.  Making a living writing requires long hours at the computer, whether you are a best-selling author or a novice freelance writer.  

Some has introvert personalities, and that suits them well; others, love any time that they can get socializing among people.  For writers especially, people provide a source of inspiration and interesting material to include in their work.  Many times, it presents opportunities that will open other exciting doors in their career.  Inspiration can come in many ways, people come in many sizes, personalities, race, nationality, and cultures – a huge amount of inspiration.