A gift

When I was writing a poem several weeks ago, I suddenly had thoughts about writing another poem- it was like a rush of inspiration. I decided to pause what I was working on and go with the new thoughts that came to me. This new poem came to me. I didn't think of it on my own. This is the one I wrote in my previous blog. It may not be how we want it to look right away but we can revise it the way we want it to look. The important thing is to get the ideas down on paper first. I wrote this poem and then a week later I revised and I like the way it looks, however I still want to change a few things to it. Sometimes to get to what we really want, we have to write up to it, meaning we need to get as many ideas out as possible and see what comes to surface.

Many times, I get ideas to write but I might now always write them down right away and then eventually they become forgotten and almost impossible to retrieve again. These thoughts come to us for a reason, because it's passion that dwells inside us-a gift. And sometimes we might not always know what we are going to write and or how our work is going to look but it's important to go with out writer instincts. My seminar professor knew that the new poem I wrote came after the first one because of how it was written. She said that this is a gift.

Let in the thoughts that come and see where they take you because they come for a reason. It is a wonderful gift and it is something we all should embrace. We don't need to be a muse of inspiration for ideas to consistently be born at any given time. If this passion lives inside you- to write- then so does creativity. Don't block these thoughts or ideas because you don't feel like letting them in or you don't think they are good enough or won't amount to anything good. Like my teacher says, it is a gift and we need to listen- no matter what it is or when it comes. Then stand back and see the masterpiece you have written.

Writing comes from the heart

There is a major difference in what many people learn in middle school and high school about writing papers, essays, etc. I remember hearing that a "proper" essay needs to have an introduction, three middle paragraphs and a conclusion rapping up everything we previously talked about. I remember writing papers with a thesis and having to change the order of the thesis so I could reiterate it in my conclusion. This type of writing defiantly could block our natural flow or any type of creativity that may seep through- if it could could even get past the blockade.

The very first time I wrote one of those writing samples that was mandatory to do was in the 6th grade. I didn't learn about structure and what "I should" be doing- I just wrote whatever came to me. And I happened to receive an 11; and the largest number that a student could receive was a 12. My only problem was grammar so my mark wasn't higher. But since then, there was a focus on preparing for these writing samples which always made my marks lower. My worry and doubt would kick in every time I thought about rules and regulations for writing. It wasn't natural and I didn't enjoy writing them.

Even though I came a long way since then, doubt sets in here and there and those teachers with the crazy rules echoes inside my head, but we just have to push it away. When it comes to writing fiction/non-fiction, poetry, and any other different types of genres, it is best to remember to write with feeling, not perfection. Try not to let the words be afraid to come out because then they won't want to come.


The words,
they shiver in fear
The pen, my dagger.
They scatter off
the page.
I Yell, demand them back
my dark voice shrills the distance
hovering over them.
Echos pierce their undeveloped
frame.


While I was talking to my English Seminar professor this week, I realized that I still sometimes think my writing has to look a certain way and be a certain way- when really, I'm trying to write poems that express what I am thinking and feeling. I'm not looking for accuracy here. I am looking for feeling. Sometimes my poems ramble and it seems like I am subconsciously trying to find an ending to bring a poem to a conclusion. But I don't need to do that. When I can't finish a thought then maybe I'm not supposed to keep writing into the poem. And when I look at the poem again and re-read what I had written, sometimes I can tell where the real feeling is and where I'm trying to find a closing.

Real writing comes from the heart.

The Search for Inspiration

You're in your usual writing room- lamp to the left, writing journal or computer in front of you along with everything you can possibly ever need to write- pens, pencils, highlighters, and lots of paper! But are these things really needed to begin writing? You begin to look around the room almost begging for the walls to come alive to give you inspiration or if something somewhere will pop out for you- where you can say. YES- a thought! This is highly unlikely but you can fix this. How? Try changing the atmosphere.

I realize we all go to the usual same spot for writing. Maybe it is a cozy place by a lamp where you have plenty of light or a desk with you over looking an open window. It is our place but what happens when we get stuck in our place or if nothing new is happening outside that window and you captured every thing in a picture already? Move your self from that scene into a different place perhaps outside. Do new things, see new places, but most of all, take a break. Give your mind a break of pressure and let the thoughts come when they want to, in a place where they feel more free. Maybe your special spot scared them into a writing block because they think, "well, here we are in this place so we have to be inspiring." A lot of times, when you go out to different places, you won't need to think about getting ideas because they just come. So just in case, bring some paper or a carry journal with you. Of course this doesn't mean you're going to write down everything at this time. If you happen to get some ideas, write them down in your carry journal and write them up at a later time. But don't go somewhere and expect ideas- just go to escape, take a break and see and observe new things.

I find myself thinking about random things when I'm driving where I'm on the open road- it's a nice feeling when you're getting to your destination yet you have that time- just for you, where you can listen to the radio, talk to yourself, or just think. I often see driving as getting away, going somewhere. I'm in control.



The places where we can go are anywhere- the park, the beach, the mall where we can walk around observing people and things around you and just think. You can also meet up with friends and have fun- let out a few laughs. Try playing games, singing, dancing, and anything that might loosen your body up as well as your mind. They are both connected to each other in so many ways so it is important to look after both of them. When one feels good, the other might just follow. Or just have some alone time. If you want to write away from your normal spot, then give it a try but again, let it come on its own. Painters like to go to the actual place where they paint their pictures so they can grasp the full effect and detail. Writer's are also artists so sometimes the best way to write about something is live it and watch it in front of you. Spend some time with it- and then write what you see and feel!


Ideas are everywhere... they aren't going anywhere. They are out there for us to find and we will find them.

We write by Feeling

I had insight yesterday to write a poem about the title of writing that many of us carry around when instead we write just as we feel or talk. It doesn't have to look a certain way. And of course there are those that say...

"I don't write because I'm not a writer."

When I talked to my friend yesterday, he said that he isn't creative and it is not something he likes to do- that there are other things that he would like to do to take out his tension or stress. That's great if you find something that does that for you- to find your own special passion and interest, But writing goes beyond that. It is not always about doing something because it is what you want to do with your life. Writing can be about finding what you like to do, exploring your self and your interests, and getting out what been trapped inside- maybe you didn't even know it was there. If you give some time for writing, you just might feel better. And writing most certainly can take out the stress and tension inside you if you look at it in a different way.


And many people think writing is about being a writer or being creative and if you can't be that person on paper, then why do it at all? Well, maybe that is the problem. Take out the stigma you attach to the writing process and let out whatever comes to your mind. Shake things up a bit. Write what comes to you without thinking. Scribble, jot stuff down, act crazy. But just release. I feel that writing is a way to tell you what you are feeling when you don't know how your feeling. It is a way for us to get out the unconscious that sometimes we trap up or block. And when you get some time- even if it is just 15 minutes a day, give yourself that moment of release. We owe it to ourselves and our bodies. We need to take care of ourselves and acknowledge what we truly feel. I noticed that my friend might need writing to answer some of the questions he might be thinking. To step outside the orderly, away from trying to be perfect and having things in the right place all the time. It's hard to live a life in order all the time. Some times we just need to do things differently, step back and think. Don't be afraid to be messy. Writing gives us the opportunity to silently scream on to the page. Writing could be important for all of us.

I have to admit, I am still seeing all this myself. I learned so much lately about the process of writing (through my teachers, readings) and different ways to approach it and I found that it makes it more easier for me to do it. And it is important for me to reiterate this to myself and for you.


We write by feeling

Oh I'm not a writer, he says
in a logical sense
the rational type he so firmly
shows
as if the actor can't perform
for it's impossible to live
without words.
But what is a writer but
a title?
when every one is able
It is the doubt that strains
the perfectionists blunder
and keeps us from freeing
the confined soul
to write what you feel, can see
or touch
lifting the unconscious to surface
and on the page either wet with tears
or is shined upon
to claim who you are
arriving home, not obscure