A Message from the Muse

"When I begin a story, I can never work in any of those promising paragraphs,
those apt turns of phrases, those small turns of anecdotes I have believed would be so valuable."

Katherine Anne Porter


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Messages from the Muse

Creativity: A Call to Adventure

Creativity is forged in the fire of the unconscious and the unfathomable depths of the unknown where nothing is predetermined and everything is possible. Its presence is often heralded by the seductive "spark" of an idea or image that brings with it feelings of flight and the godlike brilliance.

And yet, for the tens, hundreds, thousands of ideas that burst up out of our unconscious, very few if any get carried to fruition. No sooner does the spark rev us up with the feeling that we can do anything, than we find a 101 reasons to cast away the idea, worse yet, stomp it into the dust bin of possibilities that might have been our lives.

Clearly, not all our sparks are worth the time and effort it would take to carry them out; not all are even viable -- but the problem for many of us is that we indiscriminately throw out the baby with the bath water. For our creations are truly our babies, born of us, male and female, as surely as our flesh and blood children.

Become a Warrior for Your Creativity

A work in progress is susceptible to immediate extermination from the most unlikely sources: A spouse, parent, child or close friend can often be the worst people with whom to share your work in progress. Let me give you an example from my own experience. I was working on my novel Petersburg, which was a great joy in my life. I wrote the novel in eighteen months and was hopelessly, madly in love with my characters. Incidentally, Petersburg went on to be a great success. I received a large advance; it was published in hardback as well as softback, reached the best sellers list in England and was translated into German, Italian and Greek. The first draft was twelve hundred pages, and when I was about three quarters done, I proudly announced to my parents that I had just finished writing eight hundred pages. My father was delighted and he congratulated me. My mother laughingly said, “Who would want to read eight hundred pages you wrote?”

I laughed with her. After all, I was used to Mom’s brittle humor. Ha! I blocked for three months. I couldn’t write a word. Fortunately, I was in therapy at the time, and in desperation, I said to my therapist, “There is this one thing . . . something my mother said—but you know my mother. It was only a joke.” I shrugged, feeling suddenly stupid. Mom’s remark was meaningless, wasn’t it? It was just Mom being Mom.

“What did she say?”

I told her about the episode, and as I did, my self-deprecating laughter turned into tears. I had been crushed by my mother’s careless remark. But this time I decided to do something about Mom, and in so doing, I put my Inner Critic in check, too. I stood up for myself as a writer and I told my mother nicely but firmly, “If you ever want to read anything I write again, then I only want to hear that you love it and I am the best writer you ever read. I don’t care what you really think. I only want you to love my writing. Period. End of story.”

To her credit, she listened and now tells me she rehearses what she is going to say to me about anything I give her to read! It’s always complimentary. And I’m thrilled...

Are you a warrior for your writing and creativity?
If you're not, no one else will be....

Explore Emily's Coaching

Creativity is Cosmic!

Your creativity is cosmic. Image your creativity as a great huge egg. Maybe your egg is as big as a house but your Inner Critic wants you to believe it’s very small, most likely a passageway of two inches by twenty feet and in this small space are the subjects that the Inner Critic deems “safe” and “appropriate” for you to write about. So, you are constantly writing within that very narrow parameter. As you start to challenge your Inner Critic, start to write out of your true voice, that area opens and grows bigger and bigger.

Everything expands. This magical brew that is your creative unconscious begins to send up these very exciting images and story lines and characters that take you to new places.

What happens, I believe, is that when you write from a passionate core, when you are writing from your true voice, your writing naturally gets better. I’ve never seen it fail; the writing naturally gets better. However, when I work with people, my emphasis is on opening them to the deeper passion and teaching them technique. Technique is a very important part of the foundation.

Explore Emily's coaching

Three New Fall Workshops

1. Writing Your Story, Creating a Tapestry of Your Life,
ATeleWorkshop on Writing the Memoir, 6 Sessions

2. Tapping into the Feminine, Connecting to Source, 4 Sessions

3. Interviewing Your Characters, 3 Sessions

TeleWorkshops are workshops that meet as a conference call on the phone.

I have been holding them for six months now and are they are as intimate and supportive as "in person." A great way to join a group from wherever you live! You can live anywhere in the US or Europe to join this TeleWorkshop with a phone number in your home country!

Writing Prompt

1. Any prompt is only a starting point. If your imagination takes you in a direction that has nothing to do with the prompts, go where your imagination takes you. Do not listen to the voice inside your head that says, “Oh, no! I shouldn’t be writing about this!” or “I’m not doing this right!” There are no “shoulds” or “should nots” in this process. The only thing you can do wrong is to not write.
2. Always name your characters, even if the name never appears in the story. Why would a character tell you her story if you don’t care enough to learn her name?
3. Write dialogue. In twenty-five years of teaching writing, I have never worked with anyone who couldn’t write dialogue – only with people who thought they couldn’t!
4. Be a risk taker. Don’t think. Write from your passionate core. Risk and passion are the essence of the creative journey and the sweetest nectar for your Inner Writer. Don’t forget to have fun!

Prompt

“Nobody loves you like I do,” he said as …

This prompt can be an introduction to a love scene or a horror scene. Who is the “he” and to whom is “he” talking? Is the other person a lover, spouse, child or victim? What is his tone of voice? Where is he physically and emotionally? How does he feel about the other person? Does he adore? Feel jealous? Hate? Is he protective? Possessive? Imploring? Impassioned? Is the other person a man or a woman or a child?

The Difference Between Critiquing and Criticism

Creativity Is as Fragile as a Budding Flower

A work in progress is susceptible to immediate extermination from the most unlikely sources: A spouse, parent, child or close friend can often be the worst people with whom to share your work in progress. Let me give you an example from my own experience. I was working on my novel Petersburg, which was a great joy in my life. I wrote the novel in eighteen months and was hopelessly, madly in love with my characters. Incidentally, Petersburg went on to be a great success. I received a large advance; it was published in hardback as well as softback, reached the best sellers list in England and was translated into German, Italian and Greek. The first draft was twelve hundred pages, and when I was about three quarters done, I proudly announced to my parents that I had just finished writing eight hundred pages. My father was delighted and he congratulated me. My mother laughingly said, “Who would want to read eight hundred pages you wrote?”

I laughed with her. After all, I was used to Mom’s brittle humor. Ha! I blocked for three months. I couldn’t write a word. Fortunately, I was in therapy at the time, and in desperation, I said to my therapist, “There is this one thing . . . something my mother said—but you know my mother. It was only a joke.” I shrugged, feeling suddenly stupid. Mom’s remark was meaningless, wasn’t it? It was just Mom being Mom.

“What did she say?”

I told her about the episode, and as I did, my self-deprecating laughter turned into tears. I had been crushed by my mother’s careless remark. But this time I decided to do something about Mom, and in so doing, I put my Inner Critic in check, too. I stood up for myself as a writer and I told my mother nicely but firmly, “If you ever want to read anything I write again, then I only want to hear that you love it and I am the best writer you ever read. I don’t care what you really think. I only want you to love my writing. Period. End of story.”

To her credit, she listened and now tells me she rehearses what she is going to say to me about anything I give her to read! It’s always complimentary. And I’m thrilled.

Become a Warrior for Your Creativity

There is a very large difference between destructive and constructive criticism. The former will flatten you, the latter will allow you to fly. Jean chose well where to take a chance with her creativity. She found a teacher and a group of writers who understand the creative process, love and encourage the bloodthirsty vampire in her, love her for her successes as well as her stumbling attempts, love her writing when it holds us mesmerized as well as when her attempts don’t work as well as they might.

Be careful with whom you share your budding works and fragile creativity. Have your antennae carefully attuned. Protect yourself. Protect your creativity.

List ways you leave your creativity open to being nipped in the bud. Observe yourself and add to the list when needed. (You will probably want to do this with paper and pen. There is space to answer your questions directly in the workbook.)



List ways you can protect your creative works so that they can be nourished and flourish. Observe yourself in the coming days and weeks and highlight your successes.


Being a creator is risky business. Don’t underestimate the tremendous emotional and psychic risks the journey demands. Learn to push ahead even when you are afraid. Learn to love the risk.
Tip 4 from Emily Hanlon's Ten Tips on Creativity

Visit Emily's websites:
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/
http://www.creativesoulworks.com

This article was taken from Emily Hanlon's The Art of Fiction Writing or How to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole Without Really Trying. This is not only a writing book— it is also a course in creative writing unlike any other you'll find.

As you take this journey of discovery you will find new and unexpected characters and stories and learn all the writing techniques you need to create a strong foundation for your story telling. By the time the journey is over, you will be amazed how your writing has developed and changed!

Explore The Art of Fiction Writing at: http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/A_book_on_writing.htm

A Writing Prompt

1. Any prompt is only a starting point. If your imagination takes you in a direction that has nothing to do with the prompts, go where your imagination takes you. Do not listen to the voice inside your head that says, “Oh, no! I shouldn’t be writing about this!” or “I’m not doing this right!” There are no “shoulds” or “should nots” in this process. The only thing you can do wrong is to not write.
2. Always name your characters, even if the name never appears in the story. Why would a character tell you her story if you don’t care enough to learn her name?
3. Write dialogue. In twenty-five years of teaching writing, I have never worked with anyone who couldn’t write dialogue – only with people who thought they couldn’t!
4. Be a risk taker. Don’t think. Write from your passionate core. Risk and passion are the essence of the creative journey and the sweetest nectar for your Inner Writer. Don’t forget to have fun!

Prompt

She stood in front of the mailbox a long time, unable to decide whether or not to mail the letter. She must rewritten it ten times. Still it wasn’t right and before she mailed it, she had to read it one more time. Maybe that’s why she hadn’t sealed the envelope yet. Taking it out, she read…

How old is this character?
To whom is she writing?
Where is she standing?
Is it summer? Winter? Raining? Snowing?
Is the letter to a lover, parent, boss, friend, child?
What if she is adopted and has just found her birth mother and is writing to her for the first time...
What if she is quitting a job? Ending a relationship? Leaving home?
Consider the character’s emotional state.
Or just ask your character to come forth, then put your pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard and begin to write without a thought in your head!
This story can be about anything! It’s up to you, your imagination and your character!

A Paradox for the Fiction Writer

Passionate, creative, exciting writing (for both writer and reader) demands that a writer get out of self and become the character who is rising up out of her unconscious. The paradox of writing is that while your characters are you because they are born of your creativity, none of them are you … at least not the you who you perceive yourself as being. Writing taps into the deeper, often hidden aspects of self. This is true even if you are writing a memoir. You must leave the limited bounds of self and become the character waiting to be born. This is writing from the inside out; such writing ignites the emotional life of writers’ characters.

In his acceptance speech for the Pulitzer Prize, William Faulkner said, “... the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself... alone can make good writing because only that is worth writing about, worth the sweat and the agony.”

Write on!!
Emily