The other day in the Impulse Writing Club, our Writual Blessing was Writing heals you. This Blessing seemed particularly apt for the week’s writing.
I’m just over 20,000 words into my novel in progress. There’s a lot to write, and my deadline is November 17th. We leave for a vacation in London that day and I hope to have a shaggy draft done before I go. I need to channel Tori Amos and her energetic keyboard jam style to get this done!
While bobbing around in water aerobics class the other day, I had wave after wave of insights about how writing this book is changing my life. I’ll share a few of my benefits of writing a novel here.
1 I have ‘writer’s eyes’ on all the time. Out in the world, I automatically write in my head the things I see. I describe and put into words what I see. This feels good, and it somehow feels like I am learning to write better. I call this ‘hands-off keyboard’ writing. Even when we’re not inking things, writers are always playing with language.
2 I have a clear creative edge. My current creative edge is description. I struggle to find interesting ways to describe external things like the landscape or the setting. It’s a fine line between straightforward writing and overwrought prose. In this novel, I get to apply myself at my creative edge and see growth.
3 I see situations in the book – and in life – more objectively. I always tend toward seeing multiple perspectives on life. In this autofiction, I can get out of my point of view and see myself and my actions objectively. This is the kind of thing we seek in therapy. This is a big bonus I didn’t expect.
4 The hard stuff I am writing about yields benefits I have always sought in therapy. This is where writing feels healing.
5 I feel happier. Having a creative writing project gives me a sense of satisfaction that I don’t get from other work projects. Engaging in a project that’s initially just for me seems to give me confidence and self-respect. This is one of the big challenges of writing a long project – while doing it, we are the only ones benefiting from it. But I assert it’s worth it, even if it’s just for us.
I appreciate all these insights. I just dove into this idea. NaNoWriMo – the invitation to draft 50,000 words in a month – drove me past overthinking the idea. My published novel took 12 years to write. I’ve avoided other long works of fiction because I don’t want to take that long. Now I feel motivated to take up projects for their own sake. Not worrying about how long it will take. Setting aside concern about where it will go and what it will do for me.
Soaking up the feelings and insights I get while writing gives me plenty. Right now, I’m going to savor that.
And now, I’m off to ink my 2500 words for the day because that deadline is moving toward me. And I am moving toward it, with my heart open and fingers dancing.
What benefits are you gleaning from your current project? Share in a comment below.
I absolutely love #1. It reminded me of a time in my life when I was practicing “seeing” with enough accuracy to describe a crime scene if I had to…what was that strange looking person wearing, how tall, what color clothing, what was it that made me feel something odd, what sounds were there, etc.?
It’s not easy!
It’s definitely not easy! I am hoping that practice will improve my skills.
Thanks for sharing your experience – not one we want to have but it’s a good idea to be observant for those and any other major moments.
While I share all the benefits you’re enjoying I’d say the highest vibration comes from number. Walking in the world with “writer’s eyes” is one of my essential identities. I’ve done this since childhood – sometimes writing down the best bits later, and sometimes just letting them melt on my tongue like a lifesaver. You always offer relatable shares Cynthia – one of your most generous gifts!
Hi Alyson!
I love hearing about your experience. It reminds me of the Anais Nin quotation – “I write to taste life twice.”
Thank you for reading and responding. 🙂
I can relate to your process. I love the expression, “hands-off keyboard writing” and taking yourself out of view to see your actions objectively. It’s so artistically fun to be in life when you walk with those lenses. Your article gave me so much joy for you, and I giggled out loud while reading it. Wishing you the best on your creative journey.
Thank you, Cindy! I love that this gave you joy.
The hands-off keyboard is something I talk about with my clients all the time. When we’re engaged in a project, our minds are working it over throughout the day and night.
I was surprised by the immediate gift of objectivity from writing. I didn’t expect that. I love that benefits come well before a project is done.
Thanks for your well wishes – I receive them with joy!
Isn’t it great that you are turning your “writer’s eye” to observe your inner journey? That’s the power we all have – to observe, evaluate, and find meaning.
You mentioned that you are an “interior writer” and your creative edge is describing landscapes or people. When I write my books, I capture the interior essence of the scene first and then layer in the description later. That way, I don’t get distracted by trying to describe the exterior when I am focused on the interior meaning.
Write on!
That’s a great idea, Kathryn. I suspect that is going to be my process, too. I am getting down what I can of the external world and will later look at pictures and do a bit of research to capture stuff.
I love hearing about your process! Thank you for sharing.
I was surprised that this will be my fourth book for NANO. Always have to remind myself, I’ll fix that later. Can’t remember characters names but keep going. Only time I write. Isn’t that weird? Someday I’ll edit.
That’s amazing, Tracy! Four novels! I do love NaNoWriMo for just getting stuff down. It’s really helped me to just keep going. I like the second draft where I am crafting the way I tell the story. The first draft is the what and the why. Later comes the polishing.
Have you edited any of your drafts and moved them forward?