I was reminded this past few days that you need to stay grounded. If you lose sight of your goals you won’t be able to achieve them.
You need to find the things that matter most to you in life, and fight for them. Without balance you can lose focus, which can affect your production. Stress is also a creativity killer. You need to do something, anything, to help you relax.
Some writers have a drink before they work. This loosens their mind and makes it easier to punch the story out.
I use marijuana, as I find it helps to place me in a different mindset. I’m grateful I live in a state where it’s legal. Unlike alcohol, I don’t find my inhibitions lowering, but more like a kick start that connects my consciousness to my unconscious mind.
Imagery and colors are easier to picture in my mind’s eye, and I think it’s easier to transition between characters in my head.
But I don’t always use marijuana. I use meditation, I use dreams, I talk to those who have experienced a different life than I have. I even read books. I absorb those lessons, and use them on a daily basis.
Stephen King said “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
I can’t think of another sentence that captures how I feel about writing. Most of what I know, I learned from other people’s examples. There are lots of unwritten rules, and they’re much easier to understand if you are willing to absorb the information.
Sumo Sized Ginger 