The Writer's Journey

As a writer, journeys are essential. Lately, I've started a writer's journey of sorts. My travels so far have been in the direction of the epicenter of my inner most being. The place where I live all by myself and am afraid to visit at times.

Three tour guides are directing my adventure. In no particular order, the first is Natalie Goldberg. My copy of "Writing Down the Bones" is the 1986 printing. Goldberg teaches us how to reach into the depths of our soul and expose our unknown self -- to our known self. She leads us gently into areas of our lives, worthy of exploration, void of explanation, and stripped of expectation in search of who we are inside. Using writing practices and encouraging honesty, she creates a stirring to discern and learn about our covert self.

Next, is Julia Cameron author of "The Artist's Way". It's a book of healing, personal development, and artistic discovery. The textbook and / or the accompanying workbook is chock full of exercises and ideas to nurture the artist that lives with us. The course is a how-to and includes encouragements and ideas for losing the baggage that keeps our creative self struggling to move forward. My version is part of a volume that includes The Artist's Way, Walking Through This World, and Finding Water.

The last, but not least, of my tour guides is Andy Couturier, author of "Writing Open the Mind." His exercises are not traditional writing exercises but unique techniques that stretch the imagination and waken the writer with calistenics for the brain.

This will be my first time through Cameron's twelve week process and Couturier's eleven step system. I'll keep you updated about this adventure and in the meantime encourage you to start your own writer's journey. Stimulate your right brain. Let me know how it goes.

Note: Painstaker, author of Writing Panes, has not received compensation in any form for the mention of any author's books listed in this blog. I would like to thank author Darnell Arnoult for her blog that mentioned Julia Cameron's work, which initiated my interest in taking a personal writer's journey.

Writing Craft and Art

Encarta defines craft as "a profession or activity that requires skill, training, experience, or specialized knowledge.

Master crafters are the best of the best. And being a master takes years of practice, learning, perfecting. Endless hours serving as an apprentice.

Dedication lives in the heart of a master. For writers, this means writing every day, studying other writers, and rewriting to improve and to apply (to our work) the skills we learn.

Most of us don't have the privilege of a mentor. Neither did Checkhov, Poe, or Joyce. If we're graced with talent, we still devote hours honing our craft.

When writing is life-changing, thought-provoking and beautiful, it is art. Consider craft and art as the preparation and presentation of writers.

Sometimes, we get ahead of the process and make a presentation of our work before the preparation is complete. This can leave an unappealing, unsatisfying taste in a reader's palate. Quite discouraging for a writer.

Don't be so anxious to send your work to an agent or an editor. Let the story perculate, simmer. When it rises, punch it down like bread dough; let it rise a second time. Patience and hard work will pay off in the long run.

Write, rewrite, study. Prepare. Present. Any questions?