Rainy days

(I promise this is a positive post!) 2 minute read - 555 words
It’s raining where I am today. Perfect weather in my opinion for writing, however, I’ve been pondering something I read recently from another writer. It was referring to a low period in his life that halted his writing, and how he likened it to a dreary rainy day. It’s all about life’s little ups and downs and how ‘a rainy period in one’s life’ effects the writing flow – in other words, being bitten by writer’s block.

I’m in the depths of writing my fourth novel and when the flow is working, the process is seamless. However, this isn’t always the case. A little thing called ‘Life’ can happen and sometimes can throw all sorts of spanners in the works. I’ve seen it happen to people close to me, and yes, sometimes things happen in my life that take my attention away from my writing…so I thought I would put my thoughts on paper as they may help someone out there!

The other writer was referring to an unexpected upheaval that overturned all manner of inspiration and therefore the words were just too hard to come by. He was referring to a rainy period in his life. Quite the opposite of how I see an actual rainy day as inspiring.

I was considering this writer’s agony and realised it’s a universal feeling that we must still carry on no matter what life throws at us. The basic requirement is, you still need to get the inspiration and write those words. Right?

But how do you do that when you’re in a rainy period?

Using the emotions that arise at any given life circumstance is a fantastic way to make use of inspiration for writing.

As an added incentive to keep moving forward, I personally also use the tools of a foundation based in my meditation practice as a positive influence. I feel that this approach to writing may just help that other writer, or anyone for that matter if you’re faced with a little ‘rainy period’ in your life.

When you are trying to move forward in writing your novel which can sometimes be a very lonely journey – look at your writing practice just like a meditation.

Each word you place on the page is like an inhale. Each sentence that forms from these words is like an exhale. Soon enough, all those inhales (words) and exhales (sentences) form together allowing a simple flow of connectedness. Before you know it, a paragraph is formed as it connects all those sentences.  Then, as you repeat this process, allowing each word, sentence and paragraph to flow, you find yourself completing a chapter. Then a new chapter starts (new beginning) and the process begins again. All the while, you are gaining momentum, working through your ‘rainy period’ and soon enough the sun will start to shine, and your story will be finished!

I urge you to try it. There is absolutely nothing to lose, but so much positivity to gain.

One word at a time.

All my love,
Gillian

PS…For those of you who know how much I love when synchronicity strikes…I literally finished writing this blog and then turned on my Spotify music and surprise, surprise ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by The Beatles started playing. All is good 😊