This morning, as part of the Women on Writing WOW! Author's Blog Tour, Do you sometimes seem to run out of ideas about what to write, even in your journal? Do you have dry spells, in which your words seem uninspired?
Do you ever arrive at a fresh page, eager to write, and then grind to a halt, not knowing where to begin? Or have you ever hesitated, doodling and procrastinating because the "right" way to start writing isn't forthcoming?
I obsess sometimes, worrying that I will run out of ideas. For some crazy reason, the thought of not having useful thoughts is one of my most fearsome and persistent mental monsters.
I depend on my creativity in so many ways. I don't know what I'd do without it.
But like just about all of our fears, this one is purely imaginary, totally fabricated from groundless assumptions. I know this is true because if I ever sense a lack of creativity, or if I don't know where to turn, I have only to tune in to my senses.
You know, the old ears, eyes, nose, tongue, and fingertips. Listening, looking, smelling, tasting, touching. You can add in your sixth sense, too, but we'll save that for another article.
If you can still use any one of your five senses, you have instant access to more creativity than you can ever use.
Right now, for instance: I hear crickets. I see night falling. I smell the lingering flavors of dinner we just finished. I taste its satisfaction. I touch the sagging flesh under my chin.
Clearly, there are infinite stories wrapped up in every one of those sensations. And if I wait five minutes, there will be another set of five.
If you doubt me on this, try the following:
- Open your journal to a new page, and then concentrate all your attention for a few moments on one of your senses.
- Let your awareness rest on what you are receiving through your ears, for instance, or what the inside of your mouth feels like, or the sensation of the tip of your thumb massaging the tip of your forefinger.
- Transitioning from sensing to writing as seamlessly as you can, start moving your pen on the page.
What happens thereafter should be noted. And then the process should be repeated the next day.
It's true that you'll most likely dispense with the routine as soon as a tangent takes you elsewhere.
But remember, you can always return to the simple yet keen observation of your current sensations to jumpstart your writing or creativity of any kind.
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If you would like to enter to win Mari's e-book giveaway, leave a comment on this post by Friday, May 6.
Good luck, and happy journaling!
