How to write

“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

Most of my ideas come from the world around me.  To write I have to be in the world to interact, observe and imagine.  I find inspiration in everyday events, an overheard conversation, a visit to the store or reading the newspaper.

I write everyday, whether I’m inspired or not. At first the words come painfully slow, the work of writing eclipsing the joy.  Eventually the words start flowing and I forget how hard it is.  I begin with no expectation of producing results so I’m free to be outrageous and this is when truly beautiful ideas blossom.

Even the most successful writers struggle to write from time to time, but they are successful because they write anyway.   A creativity block may be due to a subconscious sense of fear of the unknown, a fear of failure or even a fear of succeeding and the demands that come from it.

I write a page about anything, if I had a superpower it would be ….. I would use it to ….if I were (a celebrity, the President, disabled) my typical day would be like….

It is different when you write the words on a page rather than typing them on a screen. You may slow down, become more contemplative or judicious with the words you choose. To fire up right brain hemisphere, write with your left hand. This can be a practice in patience, especially if you are normally right handed, but the payoff isn’t a slew of pages. The payoff is a bevy of intriguing ideas waiting to be explored.

Begin where the last sentence left off.  This tricky technique is not for the faint of heart. It will take you down dark passages and into strange neighborhoods. Neighborhoods where thoughts and ideas battle for territory in my crowded mind. Mind the words, for they are currency and must be spent with care. Care and determination will be your greatest allies.

Another trick is to begin with the end. Telling a story backwards forces you to plan ahead. No one arrives at a destination by chance; they arrive step by step. Starting at the end gives you hindsight, which is always 20/20.

Write a word: the first word that comes to mind. Then construct a sentence containing that word. If a second sentence doesn’t take shape - write a second word, and so on.