Writing to me is more than putting words on the page. When I sit down to tell stories, I’m writing from the heart, from worlds that I want to live in and explore (unicorns!), and often from my most sacred ideals and beliefs. It’s why I’m so focused on the creative nervous system, and one of my biggest tools for managing this is yoga and yogic practices. But my work is more than yoga. I find that practices such as meditation, mindfulness, energy work, even spending time with my horses or out in nature, helps with my writing.
No two authors are the same. I can share what works for me, how my nervous system works, and that’s why I have the nervous system quiz, so you can find out what type of creative nervous system you have, but nothing works for everyone and if there’s anything being a published author for so long has taught me is that there are no absolutes, no hard and fast rules in this business. And honestly, those who tell you that there are, that there are systems or tricks, are usually trying to sell you something. General practices and best practices, yes — fool proof ways to riches? Not so much.
Which is why I love working with a buffet of creativity and writing tools. Maybe you resonate with using archetypes like tarot or oracle cards to guide your path. Perhaps you find that getting away from the computer and going for a mindful walk helps you. Taking deep breaths and following pranayama breathing practices might energize you or calm your mind so that you can write. Whichever one of these sounds good to you, it’s all part of the buffet.
We are individuals. Capitalism tells us that we are widgets, much like the widgetization of books that I’ve so often talked about, interchangeable and fill in the blank systems are all we need. The truth is that couldn’t be more wrong. So enjoy the buffet. It’s all you can write/use, and most of all, it’s available to all.