As writers become bloggers, writerly advice is dispensed ad nauseum, as if we are all the same,
all fitting into some mold called ‘writer.’ If we do such and such, we
will be successful at . . . take your pick.
YIKES!
We are all too different to fit into one way of doing
things (Oh, and by the way, this might just be a life lesson as well). I don’t
want to fall into that trap of using the tried and true method of list making
today. You know, do these 5, 7, 10 things
and be a successful writer (blogger, author, dieter, skier, pool player . . .).
Whatever!
So, in this New Year, why not open up your creativity
without trying to do anything?
Okay, that was easy, now what?
When I go into my creative mode, I try to remain as open as I can to the influx of new ideas
and things that come into my world, how I view the world around me and the people
I come into contact with. I try to just observe and not do anything for awhile. Not that
I succeed all the time, and I have some miserable failures, but I see it as a
mindset. Acceptance is a big part of it—believing in yourself as a path into
your own creative mind. Don’t let anyone devalue your unique way of doing
things. Play.
If you are stuck in your writing (or dieting,
exercising, etc.), and you go to all the dos and don’ts that others have
said will make you unstuck, it just might make it worse, because then guilt
sets in. I tried this and I’m still
stuck, I must be a moron.
Logic works well for science but can be deadly when applied
to the artistic creative process. As some of you who have followed me for a
while may have noticed, I can be all over the place in my blogging—from talk of
perfumes to exploration of the Beat Generation to roses, thorns and the
Munsters. It opens doors, it breaks down resistance in the mind.
Why? Because inspiration comes from exploration. I try not
to limit myself because it might appear weird or strange. (I can be weird and
strange so why hide it?)
Conclusion? Approach life/art with openness—with allowing. Don’t block your creative side
with labels and structures that limit or rein in your creativity—give yourself
some rope (It’s okay to hang yourself metaphorically, you learn from your mistakes—they
can be some of the best teachers.).
For me, what works is to dip into the waters of the metaphysical
(the non-physical or beyond the physical that our senses
perceive), where freedom from the logical part of the mind can be found. Logic seeks
to label, sort and box one in with “safe” structures that are tried and true—“be
safe, do what is known to work, don’t venture into the unknown.”
Uh . . . no!
Not when I need to open up my creativity.
Of course I’m not talking about craft here. Writers always
need to keep learning their craft. Writing is not just about spewing your
creative ideas willy nilly onto the
page. Characters and unique situations cannot just spill out without structure
that readers understand and relate to. That’s where logic comes in so you can lay
out your story with depth and intelligence—or simply as a romp for some
momentary fun.
But if you are a writer who works with insights that go
deep, you have to explore and not be afraid of what you find around that next
dark corner, to those unexplored places that need the light of your consciousness.
Go there, see it, feel it, understand it—then write it.
So, what am I exploring in this New Year to stimulate my
creativity? Shamanic Journeying. Yes,
you heard that right. Logical mind; step
aside. I’m going out to play now without heeding your limiting roll of the
eyes. My next blog post should be very interesting, right?
To be
continued . . . .
What do I write?
I
explore the paranormal and the possibility that past lives and the unconscious
impulses they leave behind (or project before) us—that drive us; lead us into
situations that cause us to work through these unfinished elements—this process
of allowing is especially effective for my writing.
My
first novel, Dance the Dream Awake
is about Tessa Harper, a woman plagued by nightmares that drive her to go to
the Yucatan in Mexico where the Mayan past that haunts her dreams is uncovered,
exposed and healed—paranormal, romantic suspense. It awaits re-publication in
2015 with Black Opal Books.
Along
with that novel, Haiku Dance, an erotic
love story (inspired by the pillow book of
Yeah,
I’m all over the place, as per encouragement of @DonMaass in his newest book,
Writing 21st Century Fiction.
So, what do you do for inspiration and to stimulate your
creativity? Tell me in 25 words or less—just kidding, take as long as you
like…I’m giving you enough rope.
