July 9, 2010

Two of my daughters were in Italy this spring, and (knowing I was a fan of the movie “While You Were Sleeping”), they bought me a snow globe from Florence, Italy.

It sits on my writing desk, and when I’m mulling something over, I shake it up and watch it snow all over Florence Cathedral. Little did I know it would become a catalyst to help me settle down and write.

Get in Your Write Mind

The last post about Eric Maisel’s book, Write Mind, prompted some great responses. I was reading more of his book last night when I came across his comments on quieting your mind in order to work.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have trouble settling down at my desk to work. My thoughts resemble corn popping. Should I work on this part of the revision or that? Should I do a bit more research on the setting or just get to the writing? Should I blog or am I just trying to avoid writing?

Settling Down…

As Maisel says, “When you shake up a snow globe, first the snow swirls chaotically, then it begins to settle nicely, and then all is quiet again.”

He contends that many of us use those “wrong mind” thoughts to stir ourselves up, the equivalent of shaking the snow globe. Our wrong negative thoughts create inner chaos and worry. We can’t sit still then and get to work.

He suggested using a snow globe (or just the image of one) to give yourself a visual way to picture the chaos, then the settling, and then the quiet. I tried it while repeating some of my own “write mind” positive comments. As the snow settled, so did my thoughts.

Make the Substitution

When you’re churning your mind (the snow globe shaking stage), you’re telling yourself things like “My mind is so noisy that I can’t think straight” and “I must be ADHD because my mind won’t focus more than thirty seconds” or “I’m a mental wreck, so how can I write?”

Instead, tell yourself that you can quiet your mind. You can focus. You can think just fine. Use the “Write Mind” thoughts in Maisel’s little book (choose from 299 of them!)  Or make up your own. (I personally use a lot of Scripture.)

There’s no need to continue to suffer from a chaotic mind. You might be all shook up right now, but sit tight–and watch your mind settle along with the snow. Take charge of your own thinking–it will change your life.

How about you? Do you have any visuals you use to settle down and get to work? I love hearing about other writers’ rituals to get started. Share if you have one that works for you!

6 Comments »

1. 

   Hi there, this piece is lovely. Your book looks good too. Our members would love it.
   May we guest blog this piece on our blog with a link to your book?
   Jacqueline

   Comment by Jacqueline Burns — July 15, 2010 @ 7:04 am

2. 

   A final ps.
   I chronically suffer from not settling to write. You asked us to share our secrets. Mine is 45, just pinning myself to the desk for 45 mins, no tea, no pee, phone or email, just writing.

   Full blog here: http://www.publishabestseller.com/2010/05/i%E2%80%99ve-found-my-perfect-writing-number-and-it%E2%80%99s-45/

   Comment by Jacqueline Burns — July 15, 2010 @ 7:08 am

3. 

   Jacqueline, I enjoyed your blog post. We certainly all deal with similar issues, don’t we?

   Yes, feel free to quote from this blog (a small section) with a link back here to the rest of the post. I appreciate it–thanks! And a link to the book would be great too!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — July 16, 2010 @ 8:14 am

4. 

   Where did they find that snowglobe? I am going to Italy in 19 days and that is one thing I will be looking for, as I too LOVE that movie!

   Comment by DawnMarie Crake — June 15, 2011 @ 9:57 pm

5. 

   DawnMarie, I know they got the globe in Florence, probably just a tourist shop of some kind. Have a wonderful trip!!!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — June 16, 2011 @ 4:13 am

6. 

   Where can I buy that snow globe? I have to have it!

   Comment by Chris Stefanelli — November 18, 2011 @ 9:55 am

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