Writing by Engaging My Inner Child
I do my best in here to both entertain and inform. Sometimes I have a backlog of ideas waiting to hit the page in all their fully formed glory, and others, I don’t. I’ve learned the ideas are always there, waiting to come out, but sometimes it takes a little getting out of my own way to let them spring forth.
With several years of writing regularly behind me, I’ve learned something will come if I let my subconscious take over without worrying about spelling, punctuation. grammar, or even using the right word.
My process involves typing in the same mindless way I write my morning pages; spewing words on the page from the depths of my subconscious mind without editing or critiquing. It’s all the same as it comes from that place deep within that thinks everything I write is a masterpiece.
Today my internal editor (aka the adult) gets to sleep in while the creative child gets to fling sand out of my sandbox without caring where it lands until an idea is flung along with the sand. Then I get to go off on one of my ADD driven tangents that will somehow sounds intelligent once the editor tweaks a few things. I’m not sure why this process always works, and I’m damned well not going to question my process at this stage of the game.
Write First, Edit Later
I actually enjoy allowing my inner child to go with it and let the sand fly. Though I can work 
from an outline if absolutely necessary, I find it difficult understand how so many people have to have an outline and a plan before they can pen a single word.
Admittedly, they don’t understand how I can create something without either. Different strokes for different folks. I guess that’s why, when I’m really paying attention, I can actually get 3 blog posts a week scheduled 3 or 4 weeks ahead.
The problem right now is I got used to having that cushion, and with only about a week’s worth in my queue at the moment, I’m suffering from a bit of anxiety. Sometimes, anxiety stops me in my tracks, while others, I become almost super-human and knock out thousands of words in a very short time. This week has been somewhere in the middle as I’ve written three posts (including this one) so far, and still have a couple more days and a long weekend in which to get further ahead.
I’ve also learned when I stop and beat myself up over my lack of scheduled posts, I stop dead in my tracks. My inner child, and the creative part of me doesn’t take well to being chastised. It’s guaranteed to be met with crossed arms, and a protruding lower lip; figuratively speaking, of course. It’s a posture which precludes any semblance of coherent writing until she feels less threatened.
Everything in its Own Time
Needless to say, there are dozens of ways to keep the critic from overstepping her bounds. I’ve 
made it clear her job is to edit what’s already been written, and not to ride herd over when, how, or what hits the page. When pressed, she’ll even grudgingly admit it works better this way as she’s also free to edit what’s already been written with minimal input from the creative.
Of course, there was a time the creative would throw a tantrum over every word changed or worse, deleted. I’ve encouraged the two sides to come to terms with each others’ function, and to understand both are valuable to the process. They simply need to stay in their own corners and not try to punch it out in the middle of the ring.
The system actually works pretty well, the more I allow things to operate in their own space and time. Typically, I’ll write a post or two, then let them sit for a couple of days before allowing the editor/formatter to take a whack at it. She’s also come to understand grammar isn’t a concern to the creative, but there are times when things need to be left alone, as correct grammar would alter the message.
Acknowledging My Multi-Faceted Self
It may sound weird to see me talking about myself as if I were two people, but I honestly 
believe everyone has at least two sides, and maybe more. Are you always strong, or do you have times and places when you take a more submissive role? Are you always stoic and buttoned up, or do you allow yourself to be vulnerable when the time is right?
If you ask me, it would be dreadfully boring to play the same part all the time. If nothing else, everyone’s inner child needs to be allowed to come out and play. They can’t do it if you’re busy being the parent, or authority figure all the time.
Conversely, letting your inner child run the show 24/7/365 would be, at the very least, irresponsible. A child doesn’t worry about things like paying bills, fixing meals, or cleaning the house. While unexciting, such things have to get done at some point, like it or not.
Recognizing Lessons Learned
My process of give and take, child vs. adult has been honed over time. There were years I leaned heavily one way or the other, and the results were less than optimal. Too much adulting left me angry, depressed, and stressed out. Too much time letting my inner child run the household left my life in a tangled mess that ultimately caused a lot of sleepless nights, and a whole bunch of back pedaling before I managed to sort out the mess and get my life back on track, and moving forward.
Sure, there were lessons to be learned from both situations. Sometimes the cost didn’t seem to be worth what I learned. Thankfully, I’ve reached a state of semi-balance whereby nothing gets too far out of hand before I reel things in and sort out the relatively minor messes.
I still have lessons to learn and a better balance between productivity and sloth to develop but the swings are much smaller now, and the accompanying stress levels have flattened considerably. For me, that’s enough to keep me writing more and stressing about it less.
Getting in Touch With Your Own Inner Child
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About the Author
Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri 
believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income. If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author. And check out her new group, Putting Your Whole Heart Forward.
Be sure to watch this space for news of the upcoming releases of ” Rebuilding After Suicide” and “Sasha’s Journey”.
