I’d like you to imagine yourself in these two scenarios:
In both scenarios you have chosen to begin writing your powerful personal stories. You have stories to share. You are excited to get started and are ready to begin. Life is busy so you are challenged with how to fit your writing into your very full life.
In the first scenario, you pull out a notebook and whatever pen you can find and slide the last weeks worth of junk mail aside on your kitchen table and sit down to get your perfect stories all down onto paper. Your partner asks what you are working on so you explain, and then gather your thoughts to begin again. You begin writing and look across at the unwashed dishes in the sink and begin to focus on all of the other things that need to get done. Back to the writing. You have the beginning of the idea and are not really sure who you are writing for and feel like your language is impersonal and even generic. Who are you to be doing this anyways? Who will ever be reading this? Now you realize you're thirsty and go to fill your water glass and remember there is laundry to be switched over to the dryer and you haven’t yet had anything to eat. 30 mins have passed and you are stuck.
In the second scenario, quiet piano music is playing in the background. Your writing table has been cleared and you have a warm mug of tea, your favorite notebook and pens, and your laptop ready to go with a clear document opened. You light a candle and take a moment to breathe in its calmness. You have let the family know you need this chunk of time to work on an important project. When you sit down at the desk, you remind yourself of the story you’d like to write. You remember how you are doing this so your children and grandchildren have your words long after you are gone and of how you want them to know your great aunt they way that you did, and you are ready to begin.
Which one sounds like it will have the best results?
Would you like to create a writing process that starts with ease?
When working through my writing projects I developed a 7 step process that I have been using consistently and have been teaching others through my writing workshops. I covered these in Episode 14 Unlocking Your Inner Writer: The 7 Step Process to Write Your Powerful Personal Story
I’d like to delve deeper into the first step that is often overlooked, especially when we are struggling to get started. In the desire to get it done we may just rush in and try to write without taking time to prepare or we may continuously put our writing to the side, waiting for everything to align to perfection.
So, what is the first step?
I call it Setting the Stage: Creating a Writing Environment for Success.
This step contains several pieces that together help you create a writing environment that leads to inspiration and success.
Here are the tenants for Setting the Stage:
Clear time and space in your schedule.
Let others know your expectations.
Set boundaries ahead of time.
Clear out distractions by setting this time just for writing - no multitasking.
Create a supportive physical writing environment clear of distractions.
Where are you most comfortable writing? In a comfy chair? At a cleared and open table or desk?
Are you comfortable writing in that space?
Is it quiet? Does it allow for concentration?
Is it inspiring?
Gather all of your materials ahead of time.
Writing elements: notebook, pen, laptop.
Snacks, water, or a warm beverage.
Light a candle for calmness and inspiration.
Is there a playlist that supports your creativity?
Clarify your why.
Why are you sharing your stories?
Why are you wanting to write this particular story?
Clarify your who. Determine your audience.
Who are you writing this story to? A loved one or stranger? A young person or adult?
Should this be formal or informal?
I believe when you intentionally take the time to create an intentional writing environment using even just a few of these recommendations, you will find your writing practice flourishes and the words begin to flow more easily, leading to you finally sharing your powerful personal stories.