Tapping Quill and Parchment

          It used to be that when I'd attend a math conference, people caught in the elevator with me and finding out why I was at the hotel, would often respond, "Oh, I've never been very good at math." Ironically, when I share with people that I've written four novels, a book of poems about yoga, several stand alone poems, and some short stories, they are just as forthcoming with their opinion that they would like to write a book but share the various reasons why they haven't, or are completely flabbergasted that I've written what I have when they would rather walk on hot coals before completing even a simple paragraph. The tips I've devised here are for the first group, those interested in writing but not sure where to start or are controlled by their reasons for not beginning. If you're in the second group, I'll work on another ten tips for you!

1) Ideas, ideas, ideas.

          As a place to start, to begin to gather your thoughts and ideas and impressions, a simple, spiral-bound notebook works well. You can carry it with you and record objects, people, or thoughts about what your senses gather from the environment around you. These notes can then be expanded into poems or short stories. Don't think of it as a daunting task, just a chance to catch the thoughts that trickle through your mind during the day.

2) Where.

          Some people prefer a specific place, like a desk or a dining room table. A lot of distractions don't bother some writers, but others prefer silence and a limited number of visual stimuli. See if your creative juices begin to flow at home, or away from home. In a park, on the bus, at a restaurant, on the steps of your grandmother's house, or even laying in bed are some of the places people find inspiration, or opportunity, to jot down ideas or work on a project. Try a few places and determine what works for you.

3) When.

          Early morning or late evening, weekends or after work, or after the kids go to bed, try them all and see what time is easiest, when the words flow. Then, just for contrast, try a different time. You might be surprised as to what shows up, or what catches your attention.

4) Why.

          Why do you want to write? Sometimes people ask this as if they were interviewing me for a job. I write because I can, it is easy for me, it brings me joy, it helps me to understand life and everything in it, and sometimes I just have to write. What are your reasons? Not the excuses for refusing to put pen to paper (or Quill to Parchment), that's just the ego and its procrastination to keep you stuck in indecision and mediocrity and boredom. Do you write to record the family history, "the experience was so amazing"," I've created all these recipes"," I'm an expert at so-and-so"," it is my escape", "it is my job", or "because the stories won't go away". So, why do you want to write? This, then, becomes your intention, your touchstone. When you get stuck, you'll come back to this.

5) Muse.

          Some artists worship it, others claim they don't have one, while others prefer to use their dog or their significant other. A muse is "that which is the source of an artist's inspiration". Do you have one? What is it? If not, there is a way to find it. Sit somewhere quiet and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths and settle the thoughts in the mind. Then ask, "What is my muse?" Listen for an answer. I know it sounds esoteric, but if you quiet your rambling thoughts, and ask, and be patient, the answer will come. It might surprise you. Can you still create without a recognized muse? Absolutely.

6) Critic.

          In my experience, we are our own worst critic. Sometimes that voice in the mind speaks so loudly that we don't pick up the pen. Or if we do, we crumple the paper and toss it away, sure that it is not worth reading or sharing. If you're in this state you may find that your words are short, choppy, contrived, that sentences read as if from a textbook. And maybe, if you let the critic "write" the first paragraph or first page, perhaps it will be satisfied enough to step aside and let the muse take over. Then the words flow, the ideas and descriptions of sensuality rush through the pen onto the paper, or out the fingertips to the keys. Be careful how much reign you give the critic when you're creating, and even during editing. It can slather you with doubt and second-guessing.

7) Start, work, finish.

          I know a musician, rather talented, that when he began playing with a friend of mine, it was discovered that he knew lots of songs, but hardly any all the way through. My friend would play keyboard while the other played guitar. In the middle of the song, the guitar player would stop, claiming, "That's all I know. I never played it all the way to the end." I know for a fact that there are many artists who begin something, but then set it aside for the next piece that catches their attention. And I imagine it would be easy to do, especially once the initial inspiration wears off, or writer's block occurs. Then there's also the chance that the critic is saying, "If you finish it, you'll have to publish it." And this only instigates fear of judgment. Take the rush that hits you at the beginning of a project, and stretch it. Use those feelings of excitement to fuel the middle, the "work" of the piece, and push through to the end. It is more difficult to "play to the end", but no one said creativity was always easy!

8) Mediums.

          I prefer pen and paper. A heavy, refillable, click pen in black ink (which has some of the black paint flaking off) is what I've found to my liking. I carry a spiral notebook with me everywhere I go. It has the manuscript in it that I'm working on, and offers extra paper should another inspiration arise. On occasion, I've use a giant sketch pad to catch my words. It is different then, more free-flowing, almost abstract. It forces me to bind and gag the critic and use my whole arm muscle to decorate the page with words. I, personally, find the computer a poor medium to work with. It is too easy to allow the critic to be a backseat driver, backspacing to erase something it has decided doesn't belong. However, I know several writers who wouldn't think of handwriting anything. Check it out for yourself. What is your preference? What allows the words to flow, uninhibited? 

9) To share or not to share.

          Some of what we write is private. Personal reflection, a diary of the day's events, our deepest secrets that we write in order to exorcise them from our psyche. These I suggest you burn. Keeping them on scraps of paper or in piles of journals is the same as repacking your baggage. You haven't gotten rid of it, shreded it, or transformed it. You only put it in another suitcase. Granted, some are rather attached to everything they write and will hold on with both hands. Fine. This is creativity we're talking about, which, based on its definition, has no rules. Some things, even after your best efforts, editing, and rewriting, just aren't fit to share. Fine. Other pieces, even if we doubt, may speak to someone else, help another make sense of a similar experience or impression. I am a proponent of sharing, though I admit that there is a fine line of letting the project go out into the world, and remaining attached to the views of others and how they might regard your work (again, another Ten Tips topic!)

10) Praise and reward.

          A good friend of mine, Krista Cantrell, wrote a book titled Catch Your Dog Doing Something Right. It works with dogs, small children, and even your creativity. Congratulate yourself for starting a writing project. Reward yourself for pushing through, even when it gets tough (and they all do at some point), and when you write the final word, and when you complete the fifth edit, and when it is published, and even when the project reaches Best Seller status. Praise yourself for having the courage to put quill to parchment, to spill and drip and sparkle the page with impressions from the senses. Reward yourself for taking a step on a journey that so many others continue to rally around their reasons for why they cannot write the book they've been thinking about. And when you give them a little nudge, and they jot down an idea or an outline, reward them.