Writers want to avoid frittering away time chewing cud without producing much except cow pies. Good writing requires focus.
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But, the creative process can fly you to the moon. It's wonderful that way. Oh, how about a story on that? How about a poem about the other? How about a personal essay inspired by that awful story on the news? Ideas on the wing. A delight.
In past columns, we've suggested that exercise, meditation, free writing, and affirmations facilitate the flow of writing. But you don't want to let creative bursts scatter you like sugar spilled from a jar. Nor do you want to follow the whims of the market; it's fickle, and you won't write your best stuff. Best stuff only happens when you're focused and centered—being the true you.
Every day, people (including ourselves) bombard us with demands that we struggle to fulfill. Sometimes the necessities of meeting demands obscures who we really are and what we truly want. I sometimes feel like my energy is "out there," and I become exhausted. I need to bring it home.
We know that the inner child and our intuition provide tasty writing fodder. But the little kid represents only one aspect of our personality. Center yourself, and as you plumb the depths of feelings earlier unearthed, write with precision from an integrated mind.
A Moo stone will center you. My stone is round, speckled, about three inches across, and only about one-half inch thick. If you choose to try centering yourself with a Moo stone, search for a stone that appeals to your eye, but most important, find one that feels good in your hand.
Seriously? A Moo stone?
Actually, yes. It does work. You can incorporate the stone quite nicely into a meditation practice, or use it to complement an exercise where you focus on your solar plexus, the center of personal power.
Where do you like to sit and do free writing? Find yourself a good stone, and go there. Sit comfortably and hold the stone in your lap. Breathe deeply. You can run energy if you choose—sending your energy deep into Mother Earth for replenishment and drawing it back up and over your head like a fountain. Play around with searching for an image of the depths of Earth that pleases you. If you want more energy, you might consider imagining fire. If you want strength, you might consider imagining a huge ball of iron. If you want peace, you might consider imagining the lap of Gaia.
After only a few minutes coupled with deep breathing, you'll feel calm, energized and focused. I recommend the practice. It's lovely.
Happy writing!
Nan Lundeen
http://www.mooingaround.com/
http://www.nanlundeen.com/
Nan Lundeen's book of poems, The Pantyhose Declarations, is available at amazon.com. She is seeking a publisher for her handbook, The Moo of Writing: How To Milk Your Potential.
Artwork copyright Cynthia Morgan.
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