It is naturally a high priority for all writers to hone the skills of the writing craft.
However sharply you pitch your book, the words on the page are where the rubber hits the road in terms of success with agents, publishers and readers.
Yet this represents the tip of the writing iceberg. As an author, your preparation for writing also needs to include cultivating a creative mindset.
Unless you have your creative mindset fully charged, your words may never reach the page.
Your mindset includes both the thoughts you have about your writing and the feelings you have about yourself as a writer. Both will have a significant impact on your success – or otherwise – as an author.
Your thoughts and feelings need to be clear and in alignment to support your creative expression. Whether or not you believe that thoughts create your reality, when you doubt the value of your ability or your contribution, the creative impulse dries up.
Here are 5 ways to support your creative mindset as a writer:
1. Be open to the mystery and wonder of there being more to life than meets the eye.
Even if your creative writing reflects ‘real life’, your creative mindset is fuelled by all that lies beyond your everyday perception.
Pay attention to magical moments as and when they arise. Pause to witness the glory of a sunset and allow it to trigger feelings of awe. Re-create those feelings next time you write and allow them to infuse your creative impulse.
2. Have a willingness to look within and discover your unique gifts and core passions.
The mystery of life all around you reflects the mysterious flow of life right through you.
Make it a priority to explore your inner realms by turning your focus inwards on a daily basis for 10 to 15 minutes. Drop you awareness out of your mind and into your body, feel your feelings, connect with the creative core that springs from your inner well and discover the mystery within.
3. Be prepared to explore new possibilities and take creative risks.
Having a creative mindset involves remaining open to all opportunities and regularly spending time on the edge of your comfort zone.
Uncomfortable though this may initially be, creative risk-taking is par for the course of successful authorship and soon becomes a familiar creative zone out of which your sharpest work comes. Push your creative boundaries every time you write.
4. Feel a sense of infinite potential without having undue attachment to the end results of the form or outcome of your creative writing.
When you feel inspired, anything feels possible and your vision expands to encompass all eventualities.
Dive deeply into your favourite sources of inspiration on a regular basis to know the feeling of creative promise. Release the need to be ‘right’ in order to discover a multitude of ways for your message, insights and stories to find their rightful place in the world.
5. Ultimately, a creative mindset becomes a way of life and not just something you do.
When all aspects of yourself – body, mind, emotions and soul – are creatively aligned, you see the promise of conscious and creative expression in all areas of your life.
Harness your creative writing energy by bringing your full awareness to how you think and feel when your writing is going well. Consciously feed that back into the choices you make relating to work, relationships, money and health.
As you do so, your creative mindset becomes a dynamic two-way flow supporting you to enjoy the freedom and fulfilment that comes from living a conscious and creative life.
Q4U: What are your favourite ways to support yourself to feel creatively charged at every level? Share your discoveries and comments below.
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© Julia McCutchen 2011. All Rights Reserved.
If you want to use this article in your ezine or on your website I’d be happy for you to do so as long as you use the complete article, including the copyright line, and include the following paragraph in its entirety:
Julia McCutchen is the founder & creative director of the International Association of Conscious & Creative Writers (IACCW). A former managing director & publisher, Julia is an intuitive writer’s coach, mentor and professional publishing consultant. She has over 20 years’ experience of publishing and a track record that includes UK no 1 and international bestsellers. Julia is the author of The Writer’s Journey: From Inspiration to Publication. Visit www.juliamccutchen.com for a range of FREE articles, audios and videos for writers and download a FREE Sp ecial Report, Discover Your Authentic Voice – on the page and in the world at www.iaccw.com
Tags: agent, alignment, author, conscious, creative, mindset, mystery, passion, publisher, readers, writer, Writing
