Oh! Or Om: A Writer Must Write by Barbara Millman Cole
Some writers are at constant war with themselves, trying to force themselves to write, arguing with themselves, blaming themselves and living in constant strife. Others see themselves at one with the universe, in perfect harmony, guided by Spirit, at peace, and in constant love with inspiration. Yet both struggle with the written word. Both find the actual act of writing elusive, painful, and just beyond their reach.
Why?
Both the muddle-minded and the spiritual dreamer have created ways to prevent themselves from moving forward. Both are thinking and feeling, but neither are acting upon those thoughts and feelings. The conflicted one tells himself he can never accomplish the task. The spiritual one spends all his time connecting with and drawing inspiration from every aspect of life.
A writer must find his way past negative self-talk and blissful inspiration-seeking in order to get on with the work. There are many paths to writer’s heaven. Whichever you choose, be it a war path or a peace path, both meet at the same place in the end. Both require the act of climbing the mountain to reach the top where you will attain your dream – your finished manuscript.
Barbara Millman Cole is a Writer of Short Literary Fiction and Creativity Coach. She can be reached at bmillmancole@sbcglobal.net.
Photo Acknowledgment:
Hindu God in hell, Siem Riep, Cambodia
Hindu God and tree of life, Siem Riep, Cambodia
Photos by Stadden Cole, July 2008
I have found that “baby” steps are best to start! Actually blogging ccan help!
Ann Evanston
http://www.zenawomen.synthasite.com/index.php
I agree, Ann. Baby steps are the way to go. And blogging, writing in short 100-200 word increments is a great way to get writing in small bites.
Thanks for commenting Ann and Beth. Small steps take you closer to your desired destination. Using Beth’s suggestion of creating a ritual to get you started and then commencing to write (whether you write about what you want to write or journal about the process or blog about the struggle) will give you confidence and encouragement to continue. Little by little you will make progress chugging up that hill.
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
You’re so write. Sometimes I start my writing sessions with a string of phrases not necessarily related to each other, like, “So, I had a salami sandwich for lunch today. So what will I do about CRM problem…”
Let the hand move across the page and allow your thoughts to emerge.
Beth