Mozart Inspires!

Emily,

Thank you for the email. I love the thought of sitting down and writing a book from beginning to end in a continous swoop - with almost no revisions. Thanks for the reminder about Mozart - it makes me want to spread my wings, jump off the edge and fly through the process with joy.

Georgia

The Five Ingredients of the Scene, Installment One

The Five Ingredients of the Scene
An Introduction …
by way of three conclusions

Conclusion One: We make writing a lot harder than it is meant to be.
Don’t get me wrong—writing is not a piece of cake. It is hard work, but it’s good hard work,
like digging in the earth to make a garden. The problem for many of us is that our minds have
convinced us that sitting down to write a story much less a book is at best painful, at worst impossible.

I believed this for many years and despite that I managed to get five novels, two picture books and one book
on writing published. (Not to mention the books and stories that never got published.)
I don’t believe in the pain theory of writing any more. Experience and age has convinced me of this:
all our stories and novels are vibrant and complete somewhere in our creative unconscious. If we could
side-step the mind or what I call the Inner Critic (aka the ICK), who resides in the mind, we could
sit down, put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and the story would reveal itself in its glorious
completeness in much the same way as Mozart’s symphonies did for him. I have
read that Mozart sat down and wrote his symphonies with very little revision, if any at
all. In other words,
he gave himself over fully to the creative journey and fell headlong into its passion.

The first time I read about Mozart composing without revision, I thought, sure, right. And if it’s true,
well, we’re talking Mozart. For sure, that’s not me! Now, some twenty-odd years later, I no longer doubt
that it is possible to sit down and write a book from beginning to end and have it come out whole. I would
like to experience such a creative flow and know that what prevents me is me, my mind that says it’s impossible,
“What, are you kidding? Writing is blood,
sweat and tears. It’s revision after revision. It’s tearing your hair out. It’s giving up and picking up. It’s blah, blah, blah…”

Because that voice, the voice of my ICK, is still strong, I have, like you, something of a difficult time opening
to the creative flow. It’s getting easier—some of the time. And who knows? One day I might just manage to
quiet the naysayer in me and write a book whole from beginning to end. For now, I’m thrilled that the pain of writing has left and I see the possibility of creative nirvana.

Look for CONCLUSION TWO: Creative writing is a subtle and magnificent dance
between the rational and the intuitive, between the right and left parts of the brains,
between technique and imagination.

Coming soon! Bookmark this page....

© Emily Hanlon, www.thefictionwritersjourney.com, 2004

This series on The Five Ingredients of the Scene for the Fiction Writer can be passed on to a friend but cannot be reprinted on another site with written permission from Emily Hanlon. Any reprint must have the copyright, a link back to my site: www.thefictionwritersjourney.com. My bio as well as other articles by Emily Hanlon can be found by clicking here.

Venting is Good!!

I recently received this email and with Stephanie's permission am passing it along. Hope it helps with your angst, too!!
We are not alone.

Hi Emily,
Happy New Year!
I have enrolled in a course to help me with my first novel. My first assignment is due on the 22nd. of this month. I just need to tell someone who will understand(you) I am nervous and scared, I wish that I wasn't but I am.
I know it's the inner critic at work but the fact that I still have just two paragraphs for my first assignment is freaking me out.
Emily, I know I can write but why must I continually succumb to scribe paralysis (what I call writer's block).
Anyway as I close this e-mail I'm heading back to my work. I just needed someone to vent to that would understand.
Thanks for being out there.
Peace,
Stephanie


Defanging your Inner Critic goes a long way in breaking writer's block. Learn how to identify and defang your Inner Critic
in Emily's book, The Art of Fiction Writing.

"Using Emily’s books and tapes I wrote over 90 pages in 10 days.
It was one of the most intense—and fun—writing experiences I’ve ever had!"

Valerie Storey, author
"The Essential Guide for New Writers"

A Writing Prompt from The Fiction Writer's Journey

My passion for her vanished in that one moment of betrayal. A lifetime of love and desire that had warmed my every breath seemed a mocking reminder of the cold, empty days that lay ahead and I wasn't sure I could leave her. Why? Why? Why? I demanded silently to my God who seemed as lost to me as she was. Why had she .....


Did you know there are many, many, many writing prompts in The Art of Fiction Writing?

Where Do You Find Peace?

The other morning I was listening to NPR, National Public Radio, and they had a wonderful special. It was called "Where do you find peace?" The reporter had interviewed many people, from a 14 year old on up, and asked them where they found peace. The answers were so moving, I thought it would be a wonderful subject for submissions on our newly organized Writer-to-Writer for the holiday season.
If this subject touches a cord in you, please write and submit your piece, whether it is a few words or an essay to Emily at emily@emilyhanlon.com.
These are the responses I received. Thank you all very much!


Michelle Marissa, New Port Richey, FL
I find peace in the occasional early morning hours of a day when I get out of bed only to prepare my twig tea, lie back on my pillows and read a novel I can get deeply into. This is so peaceful for me because it's the only time of the day when the house is truly quiet of people and the TV blasting down the walls; it's when it's quiet enough to hear the birds chattering outside my window; and it's when my Calico cat, Mizzie, sprawls on my lap, falls into her cat-coma of deep sleep, and purrs ever so lightly. Starting my day this way never fails to balance my soul, preparing me for a peaceful and productive day.

Moira Brown, Scotland
Peace is... the hush before dawn.
Peace is... the garden in spring, summer, autumn, winter.
Peace is... a bird singing its heart out for the sheer joy of living.
Peace is... listening to the silence and letting your heart fill with the blessings life has showered on you.
Peace is... holding a loved one's hand.
Peace is... the comfort and companionship of a good book.

And when peace is disturbed , fractured, scattered to the winds by all the evils that men unleash on our confused world - remember the old, Celtic rune that says, 'Let peace begin with me.'
 Carolyn Howard-Johnson
I believe that the only way to find peace is from within. Unfortunately our culture puts a negative meaning on detachment. Its "true" meaning for me is to not only recognize that I have a boundary but that I must nourish the soul within that boundary; I must search for peace and nourishment for that inner place so that it can, then, nourish those other spirits (husband, children, friends, work) outside of it. This is not selfish. This is what we were put here to do.
In our culture it takes some doing to truly understand at a gut level that we are not our spouse, nor our offspring, nor our work, nor our car or house. All we are is our feelings and awareness.
Each of us must learn to nourish (find peace) in our own way. For me the food of life is a visit at some beautiful gardens near by, tea with friends, a bubble bath, time to exercise, prayer and meditation. (Not necessarily in that order!)
I believe that my writing comes from my soul and that the more closely aligned to soul it is, the better it is. In addition to getting in touch with the universe--with feelings--I must find time to write. For me there is even a difference between writing. Some is a necessity or work-writing. Some is love or creative-writing. This note is love-writing. To all you fellow writers at Christmastime. May we remember who we are so that we can give that someone at least as much caring and love as we give others.  

Margaret Martin 
This comes from a long history of family full of cancer victims. So I would have to say I find my peace at the end of a dirt road leading up to a garden of marble and stone where I can sit and talk and they all listen. my dad, my favorite aunt and favorite uncle and grandfather. I just say that when i am with them that it is really a feeling of emotion release because i can laugh with them cry with them and can get angry with them. But one thing that remains the same is with the faith of god. We all can still be filled with peace.

Karolina Mjeda

When I was four, I loved to play church. I would stand outside a closed
room, reflecting on the noises that surrounded me in contrast to the peace
behind the door. Pressing my toe against the door and wrapping my hand tight
around its handle, I prepared myself for the world I was about to enter.
Slowly, quietly, I opened it and stepped inside. Carefully, respectfully, I
shut it behind me. I was now in church, and had to be quiet. I didn’t think.
I didn’t even pray. I just tiptoed around the room, delighting in the
creaking of the floor. The distant noises of the world from which I had
escaped drew farther and farther away, and soon there was nothing but me,
and the peace that is God. I would play this game, going in and out of the
room, several consecutive times. As I grew older the game lost much of its
magic.
I grew up. A room was just that, silence became uncomfortable, and God
changed into an abstract concept in which I believed, but wasn’t quite sure
why or how. This continued until I recalled the game I enjoyed so much when
I was little, and the realization of how much I missed the feeling of just
being, hit me like a ton of bricks.
When I am outside, in the peace and quietude of nature, there is a simple
(but not easy) principle that I strive to practice. It is the following:
Time stops here.
This principle is achieved through three important steps:
1. I either take off my watch, or forget that I’m wearing it,

2. I allow all feelings of obligation, hurry, and distress to dissolve out
of my mind and being every time I exhale, and

3. I allow the timeless stillness of nature to take charge of my mind and
being. When time stops, life begins. My imagination is free to wander
wherever it wants. I receive inspiration for poetry, novels, stories, as
well as strength to carry on. No cheating is allowed. I am not to consult my
watch until I return indoors. Furthermore, I am not even to think the
question “What time is it?”
Remember that no one has time. We are all born into it without choice, and
we can’t govern time’s course. Those who seem to “have” time, make it.
Since I’ve decided to free myself from the slavery of the watch, to take
charge of time’s role in my life, every day and every place has become
sacred, and I once again know the peace that is God.

Teresa Muzio Caminata
Great floods have flown
From simple sources.
William Shakespeare (All's Well That Ends Well)
I cannot move
right now I see
but not because I can't
I cannot move
right now because
it's better that I shan't
the silence felt
surrounds my head
a golden halo bright
it seeps into my soul
asleep
and says
awake! it's night
be still it whispers soft and sweet
your heart can see this only
the secret place where motion sleeps
it is a place most holy
it is the place your heart finds rest
inside your inner being
it is the place your soul will go
to meet god at its best
Elder Coates 
I have very few words to say on it, but it is a subject I was just
recently thinking about deeply. It is easy to find transient pleasure, but that isn't peace- it is just a brief covering to what we are really feeling. I've only found true peace in love for others. The more I think about others, and involve myself in their needs, the more and more truly I am at peace. I have found that without others in the equation, the best I can achieve is contentment. And I think only those who learn to love others can appreciate the difference between contentment and true peace. You may feel you are at peace enough keeping to yourself and a good book on a quiet day, and that is all right, but don't settle for just being content.


© 2003, Writer-to-Writer is the newsletter of The Fiction Writer's Journey. You are free to pass on the newsletter, however all writing must be credited to www.thefictionwritersjourney.com.Contact: emily@emilyhanlon.com

The Passing of a Writer and Friend

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Sue Southward, a student and friend who passed away suddenly on December 29, 2003. I worked with Sue for more than three years and she also came on several retreats, which is the reference below to The Turtelweaver Writing Group. She had embraced her writing only recent and did so with passion, love and joy. She was a gentle, funny woman, a wild woman, a writer and a maker of tiny stuffed bears. Sue will be dearly missed.

The following is her obituary that was sent to me:

Sue Southward passed away suddenly on December 29, 2003 in Dryden, NY from complications brought on by pneumonia. She is survived by her husband, Bob, three daughters, Margaret Southward and her partner, Meg White in New Jersey, Virginia Johnson and her husband, Michael in Connecticut and Emily Southward of Missouri. She also leaves five grandchildren, Devon, Miles and Robin Johnson and Michael and Matthew White. She had three brothers: Brad Mingay and his wife Amy of Priest River Idaho, Martin Mingay and his wife Doris of Townsend, Montana and Bruce Mingay and his wife Mary of Clayton, California. Sue was born on February 27, 1944 in Palo Alto, California to Lloyd Mingay and Virginia Mingay nee Martin. Sue and Bob were married for forty wonderful years. Sue was a writer and an artist who dabbled in many mediums including stuffed bears. She was a passionate member of the Turtleweavers writing group. She was also extremely active in sports and with her grandchildren. She had recently realized a dream and learned to board surf in Hawaii. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A memorial service and interment will be held at 11:00am January 17 at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo, California. Donations in Sue’s memory may be made to:

Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital Foundation

c/o Kidney Transplant Program.

770 Welch Road Suite 150

Palo Alto, CA 94304

If you like The Fiction Writers Journey...

please vote for it as the best site in Preditors & Editors TM Readers' Poll.

Click here to vote (http://critters.critique.org/predpoll/writerinfo.shtml)

and go down the list until you come to The Fiction Writer's Journey.

Contest closes January 21. And thanks for the support!!

Emily

Do you have a website that shares a passion for writing and creativity?

Do you have a website that shares a passion for writing, creativity or
the arts? Do you have a product that is valuable to writers? Then, please,
link to my site. But be sure to put a link back to www.thefictionwritersjourney.com
on your site.

Click here to place your link
And let me know when you have reciprocated.

An announcement on a free teleseminar...

A friend and associate, Dr. Doris Jeanette, is doing free teleseminars. The first one is on reducing anxiety
without drugs. This is on Jan. 21st. Please contact Dr. Jeanette at Drjeanette@aol.com to get the bridge
number and time. The first 25 people who sign up can listen in for free. Later, the tape will be
available for $25.00.


Her website is www.drjeanette.com

I think Dr. Jeanette is doing interesting and transforming work. Check out her website or email her if you
are interested.

A Writer's Community

Through my annual writing retreat, Writing, Creativity and Ritual, a community of nearly 100 women has formed. We call ourselves the Turtleweavers. Turtle because like the turtle, creativity is a slow process and you have to stick out your neck to get any place! And weavers, well, that's easy -- because we weave stories.

Many of us Turtles, as we call ourselves, stay linked through email and get togethers like the one we had last weekend in New York City. Not everyone can make these get togethers because we come from all over the world. From New York to California, to Australia, Italy and the Netherlands. But when we meet, no matter how few, we always feel the creativity of the circle of Turtleweavers.

Last Saturday we met in one of the women's apartments for a Musicale. Sheila is a concert pianist and Marti a professional singer who had all but given up singing. And then she came on a retreat. She wasn't a writer but she came anyway, and over the years of her returning to retreats, she gradually began singing again. But her great coming out was this weekend at our Musicale. What a glorious, inspiring and fun afternoon!

The Musicale was held in the memory of a dear Turtle, Sue Southward, who has quite suddenly died two days after Christmas. We began our afternoon with a Turtleweaver circle for Sue and also Teresa, who died earlier in the year. It was so wonderful being in the circle once more. We felt together, a community. Every Turtleweaver who had ever been on a retreat was with us in the circle... at least her Inner Writer was... and our creative fires filled the room as we said goodbye to Sue. Yet we knew that Sue, like Teresa, will be with us always. They are part of a community of women who are driven by their passion to write.

Then the glorious strains of Marti's voice and Sheila's piano filled the room and rose up from the floor, vibrated through the air and brought us all to amazing heights. Being in such a small space with such powerful music, so close it literally vibrates your body, is a truly amazing experience.

As I sat listening to the creativity and talent of Sheila and Marti and the joy of their performance, I thought, yes, this is what the retreat is about. This uniting, this dance is what our writing and our community and our friendships are about. More than anything, it is an expression of the fullness of our creativity and the joy with which we share it.

Thank you, Marti and Sheila. You are talented, creative, beautiful women!! Thank you for the show!

I urge you all to find people who share your joy of writing and creativity. It makes all the difference.

on the journey!
Emily


Emily has been teaching creative writing for over twenty-five years. She is the author of eight books of fiction, including Petersburg, (Putnams) which was translated into several languages and reached the best sellers list in England. Her latest book, The Art of Fiction Writing or How to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole Without Really Trying, is based on her twenty-five years of teaching creative writing and leading writers on the creative journey. Her novels, The Swing and The Wing and the Flame have been re-released. Her weeklong writing retreat for women, Writing, Creativity and Ritual, will be held in Montana, August 7-14 2004 and in Glastonbury, England in July, 2005. Her ongoing writing workshops are in Westchester County, New York. Emily works with writers around the country on the phone and teaches at the International Women’s Writing Guild conference at Skidmore College.