Are you writing a book? These 8 rituals can help you with your inspiration and discipline.
All writers know that when inspiration strikes it does so hard and often without warning. In those cases, it’s time to let it in and do whatever it wants to do with us. We cannot stop her because those moments when she appears unexpectedly are the most energizing of the creative process. However, in the process of writing a book you have to have some discipline and try to comply with a schedule and plan so that procrastination won’t steal your dreams.
So, what to do? I have already told you in previous posts, you just need to sit down to write and make it a habit. Don’t be afraid if the inspiration is not there from the first moment. Sometimes you need to invite her and let her in. Each writer has his own preferences and personality. The important thing is to know that writing rituals help you focus on the task of doing so and encourage your creativity. You can have as many as you want and take them to the extreme you want, as long as they help you create. It’s said that Truman Capote for example was very superstitious and always finished his work on a Friday. Ernest Hemingway wrote many times standing and very early, to be able to have enough time in the afternoon to drink.
Today I want to share these steps that at least have served me. You can adopt them or if you want, add your own rituals. You will see that in less than you think you will have your book in your hands.
Adapt the environment to be comfortable for you.
I am one of those people who can’t sit down to write in a coffee shop or with people around. I need to be alone. My desk is in my room and before sitting down to write things need to be organized. I do my bed, pick things from the floor, and I have to have good lighting. Nor can I have many things lying around the desk. The key here is that you feel that you are in the right environment, that nothing bothers you so that your attention is fixed on what you write, not on the mess around. You don’t necessarily have to be alone, if you can do it in a Starbucks and that pleases you, go ahead!
Dress as comfortably as you can.
Among the wonders of being a writer is that you can dress as you please, even not dress at all! Who am I to judge? Being in the privacy of your home or if you are like those famous writers locked down in a hotel room, you can write in PJs if you want to. I try to dress comfortably, not feeling too cold or too hot, and I never wear shoes when I write.
Feed the body.
There are things I can’t do with hunger. One of them is to write. So before doing so I try to have breakfast (since I write regularly in the mornings). There is a saying in Spanish “barriga llena corazón contento” that translates something like “a full belly means a happy heart.” So just in case, I have at hand some kind of snack if the idea is to sit down to write for several hours. Something that can’t be missing at my table is a good coffee (I’m Colombian after all). And I don’t deny it when I write in the afternoon or at night, sometimes a good glass of wine can do wonders.
Feed the soul.
This ritual is the most recent that I have adopted but I must say with total certainty that it’s the one that has given me the most fulfillment. To feed my soul I need to take time before writing, around 10 minutes to be in silence and meditate. This space also serves to invite inspiration to the doors of my work. I make an internal call to it. I use music with mantras, guided meditation, or simply inspiring music that connects me with my feelings. This also helps me separate my day from the task I have in front of me. Meditation helps me put a stop to all those thousands of thoughts and concentrate on the challenges of writing no matter what is going on in my life. I write better when I am at peace when I feel a sense of joy and this is how I enjoy doing so.
Use good background music.
Thanks to the great YouTube I have been able to discover magnificent collections of music to write. Music and inspiration go hand in hand with me. Music transports you to places or awakens feelings that help you with a scene or dialogue. I try to choose instrumental music but as in everything else, this is a personal choice and it depends on what works for you.
Disconnect.
The cell phone is a great friend of procrastination. It distracts you easily. You can stay on it wasting the time you could be writing. The same goes for television. You have those 3 or 4 hours and of course, you could be catching up with your favorite series. I read something that struck me recently: Why spend time-consuming the creation of others when you could be using it for your own creation? It’s best to turn off all those things that can distract you and now is your time to write.
Write in the best position.
Sitting in my favorite position for writing. Very rarely I grab the laptop and go to bed to write. But I have read that many recognized authors chose to write horizontally. You can try Hemingway style and do it standing up. It doesn’t matter! Find the best position for you and now write!
What if writer’s block haunts me? Easy. Go for a walk.
Sometimes there is no human power to help the inspiration flow. You can do each of these rituals and the words simply do not flow. In these cases, I recommend not forcing the situation and going for a walk. Connect with nature, or if what you need is to see people, go to a place where you can have contact with others, but distract yourself. However, once you are outside keep your eyes wide open and your senses alert because inspiration can be born around you and be there waiting for you without you noticing.
How about you? Do you have any rituals to add? What is your favorite drink to write? Let me know your comments.
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