Tag: writing

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A Paradigm Shift to… Putting Yourself First

Tamarindo Beach

There is a really good book called The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, in which she mentions that one of the important things to do is to set an artist’s date with yourself, at least once a week. It is a book about reigniting the inner artist in yourself. Simply, it means that it is important to take time for yourself, to awaken the side of you that you might put away in front of others, family, loved ones.

I read this somewhere recently: “There are two kinds of people in the world – those who walk into a room and say, ‘There you are!’ – and those who say, ‘Here I am!’ ” – Abigail Van Buren

I had a good chuckle when I read this. This isn’t about that.

Now, Putting Yourself First is important in the “You put the breathing mask on yourself first so that you can help the person next to you” kind of way. Many people live for the sake of others: Doing things that other people think is right for them; and helping others whom they think need help, and so on. Things to do, places to be, people to see… you know the motto.

Essentially the body and mind need time to re-assimilate to its surroundings and that means with little things such as, getting back to nature – we live in such a technological world now that it is hard to tear away from the mobile phone, the laptop, the iPad, or the TV. The body needs to rest to revitalize itself.

The mind also needs time to recuperate from all the external messages that it receives – and frankly, there has never been an age where we are bombarded with constant information on a daily basis. (There are days when I just keep going and going and then suddenly I hit a wall and think “OMG I have just reached my point of OVERLOAD – and I literally have to stop.) So step away from the techno babble and just relax with a book, or take a drive in your car to the country, venture a stroll in the park, or just sit and do nothing but daydream.

It is all about keeping the balance within yourself because if you don’t – your body and your mind will tell you anyway. I always think that when I hear people saying (or myself thinking or feeling) – I’m tired, I’ve had enough, I don’t feel like doing anything – that’s when you know that you have reached that point and need to Put Yourself First.

The body is like a barometer and if you listen to it carefully, it will tell you exactly what it needs.

Have a great restful weekend, respectfully, CC

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Coffee in hand and writing…

It’s Saturday morning and I have my coffee in hand and writing.

I recently joined a site called Goodreads.com and am featured as an Author on that site (yeay!) I am really beginning to like that site and I find it exciting to see so many authors, books and readers that are featured.

If you are interested in reading, paper or e-format, that is the site to begin listing the books that you’ve read, or written, and connect with other readers or authors. The site will recommend your next books based on what you like to read.

I have been so busy, and going away, that I need to catch up with my writing. I did some this morning and also had to put time aside to do a bit of marketing. I definitely find the writing part much more enjoyable than the marketing part of it. However, the marketing part of it also gets me in touch with other writers, and sites. Anything to get me away from writing.

So, I’m going to keep this one short and get back to writing my second installment this morning. I may be back later to update my Ten Paradigms of Writing. Today’s will be A Paradigm Shift of… Putting Yourself First.

Don’t you find sometimes that there aren’t enough hours in a day?

G’day,

CC

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Back from Costa Rica and Back to Writing…

Tamarindo

I have not been consistent lately with updating my writing blog. I have to be honest: I was overdoing it, overloaded with work, and just got to a point where I felt completely drained. I went to Costa Rica (with the love of my life) for a week and just took it easy.

We arrived in San Jose and rented a car and drove 4 1/2 hours to Tamarindo. We experienced the country firsthand from the road. Costa Rican drivers are a little crazy and pedestrians walk on the road: a dangerous feat, especially at night. But, we made it to our destination in one piece without taking out any Costa Ricans on the way. The resort was welcoming and like an oasis in the Costa Rican night.

We rested, did some house hunting, and read by the swimming pool. In the evenings, we strolled along the beach watching surfers take advantage of the last waves. The weather was tremendous; the food was delicious; the people were gracious and friendly. It was the perfect environment in which to unwind.

On Saturday, we left early, deposited our rental car at the local aeropuerto. (See photo below.) We waited patiently for our plane. It would take us to San Jose, to avoid us having to do the drive back.

(Does it look like a field? it is.)

We got into our plane (below).

You’re thinking “What’s that?” Well, okay, I’m just kidding. We got into this other plane… (See below and please note the dog lying on the walkway to the landing strip.)

And we were off to San Jose. The flight took 45 minutes compared to what would have been another 4 1/2 hours of driving. We were relieved — and so what if it was a single propeller plane? The flight was safe and secure and we got to see some of this…

 

 

We followed the same path that we had taken by car and landed safely in San Jose – rolled our suitcases a couple of (short) blocks to San Juan Santamaria airport. It was right next door to the other smaller airport.

Everything was so easy!

So, for now, we are back to our reality… and look forward to doing this trek again soon!

CC

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A Paradigm Shift in Trust


Reflection by © CC Dailly

One of the most important elements in any relationship is trust.

And, so should it be with the relationship you have with yourself when it comes to writing.

It is a part of yourself that must be earned, nurtured, and rewarded. You must take care of that part of you fervently to keep it, just like any other relationship. You must spend time with it, you must not be mean to it, you must be patient, you must have love for it. And, in the case of writing, I would almost say that you need to have an unconditional love for it.

A reader can sense where you are coming and going from your writing. Are you insecure, scared, or are you confident and sure of yourself? Are you really giving of yourself, or are you pretending? Are you being honest or trite? Are you writing because you truly love it, or are you writing because you think that at the end of the rainbow there’s going to be a big stash? (Well, honestly, who wouldn’t really want that? — because it would mean that you could do it full-time and not be continuously trying to cram it in between the meals, the full-time job, the kids, the dog, the long commute…) But, inherently, at the bottom of your heart, you must love the craft. The simple art of putting down in letters, sentences, and paragraphs, your thoughts and ideas; the ones that you want others to read.

The more you write the more you learn to trust the path that you are on when putting pen to paper. As in real life, there are times when the path detours, detracts, becomes circuitous, but if you remain steadfast, persevering, loving your craft, as well as determined, your words and your stories will keep you on the right path. If you listen to your intuition, to that little inner voice, to the very core that drives you to write, you will be course-corrected when you detour, you will know which path to take if you reach a fork in the road, you will instinctively choose the right one for you.

And the rest of it is all exercise. Trust must be earned and you must remember to reward yourself as well.

A reward can be as simple as buying a new book, taking an afternoon off and relaxing with a cup of tea or coffee, or watching a movie.

You must be true to yourself in order for trust to grow and become the foundation. Your true self knows when you are lying, conniving, cheating yourself or others when you are putting your words down.

Perseverance, determination, intuition, consistency, and honesty in your writing will lead you to trusting in yourself, your writing, and your motivation.

~ CC Dailly

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The Paradigm Shift of Expectation

In Writing… 

Sunrise by CC Dailly

Expectation and anticipation are the keys to manifesting your desires.

Those just happen to be the two elements that keep readers glued to the pages of your book. Master the art of keeping your readers on the edge of their seats and you will have mastered the skill of expectation and anticipation.

What will happen next to the protagonist? Will he take the chance to change his life or will he just settle and watch the world go by?

The same should be expected in the story of your own life.

Expectation creates a certain excitable feeling. You will feel those wonderful butterflies in your stomach when you live your life with expectation and anticipation. (I’ll leave out the worry and angst that goes along with that for now.)

Writing should be approached with the same feeling of expectation:
Expect to write a great chapter.
Expect that your character and your story will develop in exactly the way it should.
Expect that you will accomplish what you have set out to create.
Expect to write everyday for a few minutes or an hour.
Expect the unexpected.

I expect that you will go out there and seize the world now that you have read this!

(So easy to say; so hard to do.)

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The Paradigm Shift of Creation

In Writing… 


The Word Lord    © Colette Baron-Reid

The second paradigm to shift is Creation.

A thought is just a thought until you write it down.

We receive messages from our inner selves — from an energy field that we can access and that is all around us. We write one sentence, a second one, and  then another, and before we know it, we have a paragraph.

We want to communicate to others. Something tells us that we MUST write, that others need to know, and that it might make a difference to someone else.

Once the thought is out there, it has a life of its own. A thought becomes an idea; it turns into a story, and then becomes a book.

What if…?

What if… a character takes a different route and ends up in a ditch in the middle of nowhere in a country he does not know? What if… there is a pack of hungry wolves nearby? What if… the only weapons he has is a flashlight and a pack of matches?

What if… I shut down my computer and go to the beach?

Sounds like a great idea! (I did that last week.)

CC
Please visit my e-book link:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/180048
Also available at Barnes & Noble, Apple for iPad/iPod, and iPhone, Sony, and Diesel — I’m still waiting for it to be available at Kobo!

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The Paradigm Shift of Gratitude

In Writing… 

“Morning in the Castle” by *inObrAS

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder

The first paradigm to consciously shift is Gratitude.

This is a difficult one to grasp and really, truly feel when the ‘word’ can become something that is so easily taken for granted. We assume that words will come to us when we need them.

We forget that there are times when we can’t find the right words; they escape us; they run like fury away from us; they dodge and hide from us; they slip through our fingers.

And so each day, we must thank the Gods of Writing. It’s a happy dance when we are able to string a sentence together that makes sense and captures the essence of what we are trying to convey and describe to another so that they can experience it the way we do. We must be thankful even for the days when the words are not as forthcoming as they are on others.

 This reminds me of the Ho’oponopono meditation mantra of Letting the Material Stuff Go and is the recitation of, “I Love You; Please forgive me; I am sorry; Thank you…” 

Have a wonderful day!

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Imagination and Dreaming

The more you write, the more it flows. It may be hard at first but it will begin to feel easier the more you practice, and at some point, if you don’t write, even for ten minutes a day; it will feel as if something is missing.

Just like with exercise. Set an appointment with yourself, a routine, take ten minutes a day (or more) to write. If you are in the midst of writing a novel, short story, or article, and you need a break; write about something completely different for ten minutes. Even if you’re not in the mood to write; take ten minutes and write about anything.

If you’re truly short on ideas, go to a library or bookstore and pick out a magazine or book about something you would not normally read. Read it or simply browse through the book and it will surely open a window or thought to something new. If you don’t normally read scientific magazines, have a glance. If you don’t normally look through Home magazines, flip the pages, pretend you’re changing your living room or your kitchen, dream a little. Go to the travel section and pick a book about a country you’ve never visited or have always dreamed of visiting; find out about it; look at the photographs; imagine you’re there.

Try something new; anything off your beaten track and it will rejuvenate your mind.

If after all that you still don’t feel like writing; write that you don’t feel like writing and why. Your pen will still be in your hand and the words will be on the screen or paper or whichever method you find easiest to write.

And, if this still does not appeal to you – lean back, throw your feet up and relax. Enjoy the moment.

Imagine and dream.

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Inspiration

This is a photo I took when I visited Cadaqués in Northern Spain in 2008. It is the little Meditterranean seaside town where Salvador Dali lived. After I visited the area, and his museum in Figueres, I was imbued with an energy that I was not able to shake off for a long time. I had been close to a potent creative energy, and even though he is no longer living, it was ever present. He was a different kind of individual with a unique mind, albeit wrought with numerous psychological challenges, but entirely inspiring. I believe there are certain places and persons in the world that offer you that kind of feeling.

It is imperative to change your environment if you want to reignite your source of inspiration or creativity. The mind constantly needs to be fed with new imagery, input, and stimulus to grow.

Try to get away from your screen or pad of paper and discover something completely new once in a while or whenever you need to replenish the source.  You will be amazed at the abundance of material that will come to you when you explore an unknown location or setting.

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Welcome!

Thank you for visiting my blog. This is my first entry, so I ask you to be patient while I get myself all set up with this new system.

I am excited to begin this blog and have a host of subjects that I would like to approach while on this new journey. I hope to find some of you that will enjoy my posts, and I welcome any kind of comments especially those that are constructive and that will help me to improve my blog.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Have a wonderful day,
CC

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