Wordsmith Wednesday–Show Up and Write!

Showing Up
A Poem

Meditation is like
writing.
You have to show up
or nothing happens.

I thought I’d start out with this short poem I wrote a while back. It’s a bit of advice I need to remind myself of often–both for meditation and for writing.

If we are going to succeed in any area of life, we have to be willing to devote time to perfecting our skill.

I’d like to entertain a dialogue on this subject, if you will indulge me.

• Do you have any techniques to assure that you are dedicating time to writing?
• Do you have proven cures to overcome laziness, avoidance, all those things we sometimes refer to in the mythical euphemism writer’s block?

These are a few of my thoughts:

• Dedicate a space for your writing. Create an ambience that will inspire–add music, candles, privacy, order (or chaos if you prefer). Try out coffee shops, libraries, nature or other venues that attract you, without distracting you.
• Schedule writing time that fits your lifestyle. For some this may be a daily affair, for others weekends, early mornings or late nights.
• Get the support you need from family members whether baby-sitting, assisting with household needs or privacy.
• Write an Rx for writer’s block. Here are a few of my favorite remedies:
• Take a walk in nature
• Grab a dictionary and randomly choose a dozen or so words. Use those words in a poem or flash fiction.
• Review and revise your work from your previous writing session.That often propels you forward.
• Retrieve work that you’ve edited out or rejected and use it to produce a new poem or short fiction piece.
• Visit a blog that offers prompts and go with it.
• Browse a newspaper for a potential story line

Okay, now it’s your turn. I’m asking you to help write this short article. In the comments section, please add some of your proven cures for writer’s block and what it is that makes you show up and write.