writing rituals

Cleaning up, clearing away

In these last days before the new year, I’m going to rid myself of the clutter that I accumulated in 2010.  I suspect you writer-types will know exactly what I mean: the extraneous "stuff" that litters our office space; the self-imposed limitations that hamper our creativity. 

"Advice to Writers," by Billy Collins, seems apt for the task at hand. It’s open to interpretation, of course, but I think Collins might be giving a playful nod to those of us with messy traits and/or elaborate writing rituals. Maybe he’s encouraging us to drop our mindless tasks, in favor of actual writing. (Do you read that or something different?)  Whatever its intent, this poem helped inspire me to create an "immaculate altar" of my own writing desk…"a clean surface in the middle of a clean world"…a welcoming space in which to lift my own "yellow pencil."
 

ADVICE TO WRITERS
By Billy Collins

Even if it keeps you up all night,
wash down the walls and scrub the floor
of your study before composing a syllable.

Clean the place as if the Pope were on his way.
Spotlessness is the niece of inspiration.

The more you clean, the more brilliant
your writing will be, so do not hesitate to take
to the open fields to scour the undersides
of rocks or swab in the dark forest
upper branches, nests full of eggs.

When you find your way back home
and stow the sponges and brushes under the sink,
you will behold in the light of dawn
the immaculate altar of your desk,
a clean surface in the middle of a clean world.

From a small vase, sparkling blue, lift
a yellow pencil, the sharpest of the bouquet,
and cover pages with tiny sentences
like long rows of devoted ants that followed you in from the woods.

~From The Apple That Astonished Paris, by Billy Collins. Image credit: StewartInteriors.

Site Meter

Friday Five: writing rituals

When I invite authors into The Authors’ Tent, I frequently ask about their writing routines. Turnabout is fair play, of course, so at the risk of sounding presumptuous (I’m unpublished…), here are some of the rituals I’ve incorporated into my own writing practice:  

1, Clearing the Air. While I’m drinking my coffee, I burn a palo santo stick or light a candle under a small bowl of essential oil–infused water. As the smoke tendrils waft across my desk, I allow my morning mind to wander.

Some people draw inspiration and healing from special fragrances; others scoff and say that aromatherapy’s pure bunk. I say: Whatever works.

2. Bringing Light into my work space. When I flip the switch on my Buddha lamp, I pray that my story will reflect my own inner Light. He sits on the credenza beneath my office window, so whenever my eyes drift away from my my manuscript, I’m looking serenity in the face.

(It could be any light, really, but I love my smiling Buddha. He has a blissful face and prayerful hands, which speaks to me of contentment and inner peace.) 

3. Seeking inspiration. I like to reflect on short passages from spiritual texts. Or for a light-hearted alternative, I have two decks of cards from which to draw: Power Thought Cards and Zen Cards.

(Let me know if you want me to pick a card for you today…)

4. Practicing yoga. I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be. But when I allow time for yoga in the morning, I find it easier to stay centered throughout the day. It also replenishes my energy (in all senses of that word), which translates itself into vigorous, authentic writing. 

5. Connecting with my friends. Last, but certainly not least, I spend a little time on LiveJournal almost every morning, and at random points throughout the day. I realize that some people consider blogging a colossal waste of time, but I consider it a priceless opportunity to learn from (and grow alongside) good-hearted, talented people.

So I’m wondering…what gets you started in the morning, and what keeps you going throughout the day?