What Is Mindful Writing?
How presence and fun can transform your writing practice
My dear bright stars,
I’m a recovering perfectionist healing from a serious case of FOPO (fear of other people’s opinions) and big writing blunders make me laugh. I love a good autocorrect fail meme, and hearing my author idols admit their gaffes and foibles is hilarious. It’s such a relief to know things are often a hot mess behind the scenes, and yet books are published, screenplays become movies, and lyrics become songs every day.
As much as we edit and attempt to control every detail, some mistakes slip past so things can get done, and that’s okay.
It really is. Typo-related deaths are very rare. And fear of what people will think is what keeps us small and shamed into silence.
After spending over two decades lost in the details of writing, my big AHA that’s transformed everything is to focus on intention and insight instead, in a way best described as mindful writing.
How I got from minutiae to mindfulness
Last year I enrolled in Eckhart Tolle’s Becoming a Teacher of Presence program to practice being more present and less in my head, especially when I teach. I didn’t expect it to be a masterclass in writing, but Tolle talked about his writing process, and I wrote it all down. (He also admitted to missing most of his book writing deadlines by being too in the moment, which is very funny!)
“Stop deferring satisfaction to the future. It’ll never arrive. Whatever you do, enjoy the practice, and let go of outcomes.” Eckhart Tolle, worldwide bestselling author.
What Tolle says about enjoying the writing process and balancing being with doing danced in my head with everything I’ve learned from watching dozens of Elizabeth Gilbert interviews online and reading her book, Big Magic. (In one interview she admits to being messy with grammar and spelling, hah!) I’m sure Leonard Cohen, bell hooks, and Anne Lamott’s creative direction wove their way into my thinking too.
My mindful writing method became clear when I drew a messy draft of this Venn Diagram on the back of an index card (I love a good Venn Diagram!):
When I talk about mindful writing what I mean is the combination of three elements:
1. GO DEEPER: The creative spirit (or if you prefer, Eckhart Tolle’s presence or Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic)
2. GROW: The drive to understand the human experience via personal development and psychology
3. IMAGINE: Creative writing across all genres and forms, including fiction, prose, poetry, song writing, play writing, screenplay writing, essays, journaling and free flow writing
It’s also an invitation to slow down and luxuriate in the writing process, where all the energy and fun is. Write with me to find out what happens when we drop the ego (hustling, performing and proving) and create from wisdom, play, purpose and generosity instead.
To hear more about mindful writing and learn three powerful mind shifts to write mindfully, listen to episode 8 of the Stardust and Courage podcast!
An episode you might have missed
Episode 7: Refilling The Creative Well
How do we get back into creative flow when we haven’t been writing or feel stuck or stressed about what we’re working on? In this first Dear Suzanne advice episode find out all about refueling your creative energy with artist dates and the one-minute vacation. Plus go on an ocean adventure in a buoyant and rejuvenating imagination activating guided practice.
Coming up next!
Episode 9: An interview with author Heidi Reimer on tenacity
Where to listen and how to subscribe to the podcast for free
Apple Podcasts (click Follow)
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(I'm slowly adding the show to various podcast directories. Search for Stardust and Courage wherever you get your podcasts and see if it's there yet!)
Be part of the show!
Submit a writing question or dilemma and I’ll answer it on a special upcoming Dear Suzanne episode. (We can use your first name or a pseudonym to protect your privacy.)
Sending you stardust and courage,
Suzannexo
PS: I still have a few fall/winter book coaching spots available if you join the wait list now.
