quieting the writer's mind

Every writer working on a story can tell you about the time she woke at 3AM with the key to fixing a failing plot. Or maybe it was a brand new story idea that interrupted a peaceful slumber. Perhaps, it was just before sleep took over, and he was distracted with that scene in chapter whatever about the guy and that situation...

Whatever it may be, a writer's mind thrives when it's quiet, and it's no quieter than the middle of the night.

If you want to tap into the midnight creative juice pool, take the time to quiet your mind. 

As we are sensory input and output machines, there are a variety of ways to discover your inner peace. Here are my two favorites.

Tune Out. Do your best to create a silent world around you. Buy some inexpensive squishy earplugs used to drown out snoring partners or spend more money on sound-reducing headphones. If they sound of your own breathing is too much. Plug yourself into the music of someone like LIQUID MIND.

​Black Out. I'm not suggesting typing with a blindfold--but if you can do that, try it! At the very least, place yourself in a space with no art work, no windows to the outside world, and no Internet. Rid your outer mind of external visuals and fall deep within your own imagination. Remember when you were little, and you would hide under your bedcovers to read or draw? Recreate that child's world if you can.

Try both of these suggestions for a week or more and share your results. Is your writing any better? Any easier? Any different at all?

Sometimes, we need sensory input. If you are seeking that help, try these previous blogs:
Employing the senses
​An exercise
The sun
Write on!

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