Many writers describe their writing as coming from somewhere outside of themselves. For me, that is definitely true. Sometimes, when words want or need to be written, the pressure and emotion behind them becomes unbearable. They must be expressed on the page, regardless of the demands in the world around me.
While highly uncomfortable, it is easy to feel the need to hold words back, especially when faced with the possibility of negative consequences. The feeling that I will be judged by what I have written is often enough to stop me in my tracks. Sometimes, I do not want to experience the emotions that come through me with the words.
You need to remember that when this sort of inspiration strikes, the words are not mine. They do not come from my mind. The feelings they elicit are a fantasy. The things I do in my writing are not what I do (or want to do) in life โ like a dream, my mind experiences them, but I do not.
Instead, my words are the ramblings from some other place, some other timeโฆ perhaps even the life of another. My job as a writer is not to know everything so that I may write, but to know nothing and let the words come through me โ preferably untainted and true to their source.
This sort of writing is about letting go, not trying. About trusting where the words will take you, and accepting them. About allowing them to be as perfect as they need to be.
I wasnโt always able to do this. Not knowing the process, I would try to control it. I mistakenly thought that it was purely about me. Imagine my confusion when I became flooded with emotions, impulses and thoughts that were unfamiliar, yet pushing through me with more force than my own desires.
Soon I learnt to allow these โmusesโ to come through me, not only to release the pressure they produced. Once I started allowing this flow, I realised that by embracing this other world, it allowed me to live in this world more fully. It balanced my life, so that while I had an otherwise ordinary life, there was a fairy storm brewing in my heart. This was the magic I had always sought to find. These days I embrace it like an old friend.
But the secret ingredient this magic needs is love. Without love, we are unanchored in this world, and flights of fantasy can result in us losing our way or losing ourselves. It is love that accepts that the writer must disappear into this strange world for a while, so that they might return refreshed, cleansed, but with a hint of flying dust still in their hair and a few pieces of leprechaunโs gold in their pockets.
It is being loved that allows a writer to express and feel what they need to, so that they can exist in a state of sanity in a world where nothing makes sense, except the words in their head.
Photo Credits:
Butterfly, Dreamcatcher & Wheat photos by Pixabay at Pexels
This is so true! I think writers are just messengers bringing messages from someone else.
LikeLiked by 5 people
So many writers experience this. It can’t just be our imaginations ๐ The only other explanation is that we’re completely nuts, but that’s a different post entirely! ๐
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes!:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really loved this piece and each word was perfect. I think it reflects how I feel a lot the time. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you ๐ It’s lovely being in the zone like that, so you are very lucky. Nice to know I’m not alone in this ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
well it was a very nice zone
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it! ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
yeppers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi there, thanks for the like. Off to reading your blog now ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you find something you like ๐ Thanks for the follow – I really enjoy following your blog! Lots of great stuff.
LikeLike
What a wonderfully inspirational post.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you. I’m so glad you found it inspiring. Nice of you to visit ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, you come and see me, its the least I could do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And that’s what makes blogging so wonderful! ๐๐ We get to drop in on and say HI to all our friends… ๐
LikeLike
Oh my gosh Wendy, what you wrote resonates with exactly how I feel, all the time. This is a perfect description of how I think most writers feel. Great post! ๐
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you SOO much ๐ As per usual, I was worried about posting this, wondering if someone would send the men in the white coats around to my house! So I’m super glad people are relating to it ๐๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course people relate to it, especially those who write/blog. Iโm going to tag this post to the one Iโm going to publish Monday. Iโm letting you know you wonโt be too surprised, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! Thank you so much! ๐ I really appreciate that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome post, you have nailed the feeling exactly Wendy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad! Thank you! ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
You describe the writing process so uniquely well, Wendy!! I recognize your words in my life. And I like you used to (no longer!) was nervous about those posts that were strong or held a very “in your face” message. My “muses” work in different ways. I never know what to expect, but this I do know … when the words are within the urge to bring them out is undeniable something I couldn’t hold back. Thank you so much for expressing this Gift as you did here. Impressive!! ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks hun ๐ I’m astonished at the number of people who have related to this. It almost makes me feel normal… almost ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Define “normal”. Teehee ……
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hee hee. I tried to be normal once. Worse 3 minutes of my life!!! LOL ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve given up on normal a long time ago. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Imagine it! Would be sooooo boring!!! ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can relate very much although, lately, I’ve been more careful with what I write about publicly. People have been hurt and as I can’t control who reads what… but when I have to write, I do so ๐
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a shame that you have to restrain yourself, but I understand. I often write things out in full, then remove bits that people may take the wrong way or may find extreme. If in doubt, I take it out ๐ฃ Sometimes I will have to restrain from publishing it if I can’t make my point without these parts. It’s a shame, bit then there is always something else to write… Thank you for making this important point ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, so beautifully written. This is a magical example of living in harmony with the flow of the universe and the rhythm of your soul! This is why I do what I do, for these moments that you described, some short and some long, all empowering.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Julie. Your approval makes me feel quite zen ๐ค
LikeLiked by 1 person
This explains so much, and so eloquently! Thank you ๐
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you liked it ๐ Nice of you to visit and comment. Thank you ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi. Sorry, your comment with your Camp username got spammed (????) and now I can’t find it. I have sent you an invitation to join our cabin ๐ Sorry for the delay and the mix up ๐ข
LikeLike
This was beautifully written. When I write my blog post, I am in a zone and it is for the passion of writing that I am still doing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s lovely of you to say that, thank you ๐ I truly believe that our readers can tell the difference. We can’t help but reflect that passion and excitement in our writing ๐๐๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most definitely. The readers can tell how much effort you put into your posts. Your posts are always well written. Keep up the good work ๐ฏ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you ๐ So are yours. Very professional, but relatable too ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
Thank you soo much, it is much appreciated ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I share so many of your emotions. I don’t always know the source of my words. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you could relate ๐ Thanks!
LikeLike
Thank you for your brilliant post, which prompted me to reflect on my own relationship with writing. My muse is a contrary creature, seemingly spending much of her time getting rat-arsed at the pub. As a result, a lot of what Iโve written in my travel blogs is mundane and uninspiring. Just occasionally however, usually prompted by a chance encounter with one of lifeโs random cruelties or absurdities, something odd happens. At these moments my pulse rate rises, and words, ideas and images begin to flow. A veil is lifted and I glimpse a hidden world, making unexpected and improbable connections. When I revisit one of those posts I find myself asking “Did I write that? Me? Really me?” and although I find it exhilarating, my primary reaction is one of frustration. Why the hell canโt I recreate at will the conditions that led to this post, and turn on my creativity like a tap?
I tell myself that I should give up this blogging business and take up something altogether less painful instead โ barefoot marathon running maybe. But I know I wonโt because I cling to the notion that one day soon my muse will take a long cold shower, sober herself up and pay me another visit. Sheโd be very welcome.
Forgive me for rambling on โฆ your post was inspiring!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your great comment! Funny you should say this, with so many comments still coming through for this post, I thought I should refresh myself and read it again. I got to the end and thought: Did I write this??? But then again, I suppose that is the point – I didn’t!! ๐ Thanks for following.
LikeLike