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The Writing Life

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Finishing Your Book on This Epic Life Podcast

It was a delight to be a guest on Kristoffer Carter’s This Epic Life podcast. Here are highlights from the show:

  • We uncover the many correlations between a writing practice, and meditation practice. This was a powerful discovery for us both, because we probably met in this life to share those gifts with one another.
  • How so many creatives and entrepreneurs get stuck in a loop of their own creativity versus the work it takes to finish something.
  • The secrets and best-practices Cynthia puts to work in her own writing practice (which resulted in her latest book)
  • The power of an “insertion point” in creating momentum.
  • Some powerful reflections on staying on integrity with ourselves, and honoring our commitments.
  • Lots of laughs about many random, funny things. lol.

Listen in on our conversation here. 

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Writing Beyond the Thin Topsoil of Our Mind

There’s an odd thing about writing (probably true for any art) – we can do more than we think. When we set out to write something, we think we have to have it all figured out. Then we’ll sit down and take dictation from our mind.

But what I have seen for myself and hundreds of writers is that the mind represents only a thin layer of our knowing. I call it a thin layer of topsoil. What’s below – in our heart, our gut, our essence – is much more rich than our minds believe.

And what’s above – coming from source, the Divine, God, inspiration – is also much vaster than our thinking mind.

This might sound crazy to you. Or perhaps you’ve experienced it yourself? You get into the writing zone. You go into a sort of writing trance. You lose yourself in the words and let it flow.

Later, when you read over your words, you find surprises. Clever turns of phrase. Things you don’t recall writing. Some good stuff. Where did that come from? You have no idea. Your mind certainly didn’t generate it.

I wouldn’t believe this myself if I didn’t experience and witness it thousands of times in my 20 years as a writing coach. It’s the most marvelous magic we spin with our pen, when we surrender to the flow state. When we write freely, we access an intelligence that’s much wider than what we know.

If you haven’t had this experience, have you tried free-writing? This method of writing is the quickest, easiest way to get out of the thin layer of our minds and into the depths and heights of what is possible for our creativity.

If your mind tells you that you don’t know what to write, that you aren’t good enough, that you have to have more figured out before you sit down, don’t be fooled! You really just need to sit down, open a document or grab a pen, and let your thoughts rip. Using a timer and a prompt, write for at least 10 minutes without stopping. See what emerges.

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Glean the Immediate Benefits of Writing

Writing your book will require time, focus, attention, humility and courage. But your project will also give back. And not just when it’s finished. Throughout the process, you will slowly and subtly gain confidence. You will fall in love with your material all over again. You will enjoy how it feels to really know and share your expertise in this new way.

I believe that our creativity is the source of our vitality. When we are creating, we are tapping into our truest aliveness. We ignite our life energy when we create. We generate new energy. This energy feels so much better than the dread or pain of avoiding our writing. Quite frankly, this is the primary reason I coach authors. I want everyone to enjoy the aliveness that we generate when we are doing our creative work.

Now, here’s the weird thing. Usually, you won’t “feel” like writing. Your mind will trick you into thinking everything else is more important. That’s why we build structures around our writing so we don’t get lost in feelings or insecurities. We build a writing practice that helps us cross the river of resistance.

What if you had a reflection process that allowed you to feel the benefits of writing throughout the whole process? Simple, quick, but potent, capturing the vibe of the sessions will help you notice and savor more. The cool thing is you will begin to appreciate that working on your book is working you. You are writing this for others, but doing the work is having a positive impact on you. The first world you are changing is your own.

Exercise

Here’s a simple practice to help you notice the difference your writing is making in your life on a regular basis. At the end of each writing session, in your author notebook, jot down three words that describe how the writing session was for you. Don’t overthink this; just write three words that reflect your experience. You will certainly see a range of experiences on your list. Some days might be “slogging, hard, good” or “freeing, fun, challenging.” Keep a running list to witness how the writing is changing you.

This is an excerpt from my book, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book. If you’re ready to write your book and want support along the way, this is the guide for you. Available wherever books are sold in paperback, e-book and audio book. Get your copy now.

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Back to School with Online Writing Workshops

Do you love back to school time? I do, and always have. While summer delights me in so many ways, my eager student self always welcomes the focus of fall. Time for support with online writing workshops!

What if your writer self got to go back to school this fall? What would they want to learn? 

I’m a fan of designing my own curriculum based on what I want to learn. In my unique online writing workshops, participants get to choose what they want to focus on and what they want to learn. My workshops don’t focus on craft or contain a lot of lessons to fall behind on. 

I create a safe and supportive container for focus and progress on writing projects we care about. I help you know, like and trust yourself and your writing process so you can write what you want, when you want, with joy and ease. 

This foundational work gets overlooked in craft classes. My workshops address the writer, helping you past any blocks or obstacles that keep you from writing your best work. 

In my upcoming classes, this is what you will learn: 

Atelier

Eight-monthcoaching group to focus on one project

September 20th – April 30th, 2022

  • How to overcome old patterns that keep you stuck in writer’s block
  • What works to help you keep going when a project feels difficult
  • How empowering it is to focus on one project
  • What a joy it is to have support to grow as a writer
  • Resources for next steps on whatever kind of writing you are working on
  • The Atelier is open to any type of project, art, business, non-profit, writing…
  • And much, much more. 

We begin the Atelier on September 20th and meet for eight glorious months. All the details are waiting for you here.

 

Write Your Travel Stories

October 8th – November 9th, 2021

This is the most fun class! You didn’t know you needed this kind of space and guidance to write about your travels, did you. And I bet you have so many stories about your travels that you want to explore and rediscover. This class is in itself a journey – perfect for those who haven’t been traveling as much as they like. Write your travel stories workshop with Cynthia Morris

In this six-week, live course, we explore:

  • different genres like poetry, fiction, non-fiction
  • visual storytelling
  • basic elements of writing craft – what makes a good story
  • and more.

 

What do you want to learn in your writing life this year? Which option meets your current writing needs? Contact me if you have questions about which of these workshops are right for you now.

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Choose Which Book to Write First

You may have more than one book in you. If so, choosing which one to write first can be challenging. This choice is something you will have to decide for yourself based on a number of factors:

  • Your hopes/dreams for monetizing your book.
  • The type of book you are writing and its length.
  • How your book fits into your business or career goals.
  • Whether an agent or publisher has expressed interest in your book.
  • Your gut feeling, or instinct, about which book you want to write first.

Do a free-write to get deeper into the answer about which book you should write first. I always suggest free-writing as a way to get clarity for yourself. It’s amazing how much more insight can come through free-writing as opposed to just thinking or talking through the issues.

There are many types of books you can write. Your book might be a blend of your own stories and some guidance. In her book Soulful Simplicity, Courtney Carver shares both her personal journey and specific guidance on how we can simplify our lives for more satisfaction. Her tagline and Instagram account are called “Be More with Less,” and that’s the basic promise of her book. We all want to be more, right? But how to do it with less stuff and less activity, that’s new.

In Your Story Is Your Power by Elle Luna and Susie Herrick, the authors help the reader excavate their stories and live in new, empowering ways as a result of knowing and owning their stories. The exercises in the book are fabulous, and the stories the authors tell to accompany the exercises help make them sticky. While the book isn’t personal essays or memoirs per se, a little bit of this kind of writing blended throughout makes the book more powerful. The colorful illustrations add a lot to the book as well.

It may take time to choose which book is first. This is something only you can decide. Use your intuition and your instincts alongside your intellect to choose the book to dive into first.

Inquiry

What book will you start with and what makes that a good choice for you?

This is an excerpt from my book, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book. If you’re ready to write your book and want support along the way, this is the guide for you. Available wherever books are sold in paperback, e-book and audio book. Get your copy now.