Shut Up and Write
As a writer, I’ve learned you can’t write in a vacuum; at least, not forever. At some point, you have to get out of your self-imposed hermit hole and not only get out in the world, but actually participate in it.
Characters become more real when you have real-world examples to draw from. Colors become brighter as you view them through unencumbered eyes. Though much can be accomplished by isolating and pounding away at the keys, characters grow flat, and colors dim when you use only part of your mind; a fraction of your being.
One way I’ve learned to do that is to participate in Meet Ups where soloists like me get together to morally support a specific time period of solid work. But a couple of less-than-stellar experiences with writing groups, and my own unwillingness to get moving too early in the day, travel far from home, or give up dance nights have limited those options…until now.
An Altered Mindset
A new Meet Up group was recently formed with, instead of a restaurant or coffee house as it’s 
location, my favorite used bookstore. What could be better? Granted, I’ve been without a laptop since the great computer purge in early October 2019, but I decided not to let that limit me this time. After all, in my day, we had to become proficient with cursive. Besides, I have a great book of writing prompts whose surface I’ve barely scratched.
Over time, I’ve developed an extensive list of writing resources, but I know there are many I haven’t come across yet, and one of those might just be the missing piece I need to move things forward. Granted, 10 in the morning on a week day is going to limit us somewhat. It means we’ll draw from a few groups:
- Retired people
- Self-employed who make their own schedule (like me)
- Students who don’t have classes on that day and time
- People who don’t work for reasons of their own
It may be a limited cross-section of society, and will likely remain a small group. But as our meeting place is fairly small, it should prove to be an asset rather than a liability. Less people means more focus and less distractions. I’m looking forward to getting out of the house, and frankly, having to get up earlier on Tuesdays. Just being up an hour or two earlier is well worth the two hours I’ll be getting out of the house.
Improving Upon Good Habits
Admittedly, my writing lately has been far less sporadic than it was for awhile. I’ve conquered 4 of the 5 schedules I set for myself, and am feeling pretty good about it. (I’m trying to avoid feeling smug, but the old me was such a buzz kill when it came to setting lofty goals. I can’t help but lord it over her just a little bit!) Still, I’m feeling the need to get back to writing fiction rather than just editing and rewriting what I’ve already done. I am craving something new and different.
Perhaps it’ll be a short story, or maybe I’ll switch genres. I don’t know right now, and it’s not important. I don’t need to decide. I need to provide the environment for change, and change will come. In its own way, it’s a bit like decluttering except what I’m getting out of the way is myself.
It’s too easy to get stuck in the same old routine, hammering out the same old stuff day after day, week after week. Once again I’ve fallen victim to the deadly rut, so the invitation to this new “Shut Up and Write” came at exactly the right time, as such things often do.
Getting Out of The Doldrums Before They Get Comfortable
The Universe knows when it’s time to shake up my world a bit. The first one is gentle. A subtle 
hint of an opportunity. As long as I take it, things chug along nicely, and I climb out of my rut with a minimum of pain and heartache.
I know if I ignore this opportunity, the reminders will slowly grow more insistent and uncomfortable. I’ve had enough of those to recognize and respond to the subtler ones as soon as I see them. Those Universal head slaps are neither pretty nor fun!
Admittedly, I’d like to get out and write for more than an hour a week, but for now, this will prime my engine, so to speak. I can always hang out longer, earbuds in my ears, and write for as long as I wish, other commitments notwithstanding.
It does mean I now have to leave Tuesday mornings free, and I won’t have my one long day at home any more. Given the sloth I’ve fallen into other than the volume of writing, I’m guessing I’ll see huge benefits and few negatives in making this small but significant change in my weekly routines.
Routines as an Asset
It’s taken me awhile to get used to having routines, but I’m learning when I do, I get more done, have healthier habits, and feel better about myself. I don’t create a schedule that’s so constricting I have no room for flexibility or change, but I do have a framework that’s been working well for me for the last couple of years. The development of a rut is, in my opinion, only a temporary thing, and easily undone with a couple minor changes.
Something else I’d like to reinstate is what Julia Cameron calls “An Artist’s Date” in her book “The Artist’s Way”. Once my brain got unstuck and I realized I didn’t have to spend my weekdays doing exactly the same things on certain days, I got some ideas about venturing abroad.
Indulging in a Little Creative Planning
Though I love the beach, I have had a tough time justifying the 30 or 40 minute drive there and 
back. I realized there’s a beautiful spot about 15 minutes away where I can sit and write, and commune with nature. The City of Thousand Oaks recently opened a Healing Garden in memory of the 12 people who lost their lives at Borderline Bar and Grill in November 2018. It’s a gorgeous, peaceful spot which has picnic tables where I can sit and write to my heart’s content.
If that proves to be more of a trek than I want, we have numerous parks around town which also have areas where I can sit and write, and which are unlikely to be busy during school hours. If I need to tune out some of the ambient sounds for awhile, I have my headphones to give me my cacophony of choice (usually either Simon and Garfunkel radio, or smooth jazz).
I’m grateful for the opportunity to start looking at my world a little differently. Had I continued on in the same pattern, I doubt getting back to writing fiction would have ever materialized. I was too stuck in old patterns to make that leap. Now, I feel confident I’ll be knocking out a few stories in the coming months, and by November, I’ll be good and ready for NaNo.
Always Looking for New Ways to Express My Gratitude
My gratitudes today are:
- I’m grateful for things that make me change my patterns.
- I’m grateful for friends who influence, guide, and motivate me.
- I’m grateful for change. It truly is my lifestyle of choice (assuming the changes aren’t of the volcanic variety). I get cranky and out of sorts when I am stuck in the same place for too long.
- I’m grateful for communities who band together to make things right for all.
- I’m grateful for abundance; love, friendship, opportunities, motivation, inspiration, joy, peace, health, harmony, philanthropy, and prosperity.
Love and Light
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”.
