Monday, March 17, 2014

My (NON) Writing Ritual: For Times When I'm Lost


So,
I’m here to report:
there are those times when even though I’ve ritualistically readied myself to write, I am unable to move forward with my story.


I lose my way somehow.
My fingers freeze.
My North Star is elsewhere playing Hide-and-Seek.

The Good News, however?
Like that wondrous woman who lives inside our cars’ or devices’ GPS,
the one who expertly and melodically repositions our course when we turn left instead of right or bypass our designated Exit or come to a grinding halt at the wrong destination,
I know how to RECALCULATE!

Here’s my 3-Step Easy Ritual for finding my way back.

#1
I take myself away from my writing space, sit still and quietly re-read the encouraging hope-filled greeting cards I’ve mailed myself the past 37 years (!) while out-and-about on my Writer’s Journey.



#2
Next I re-read and think on the inspirational quotes I’ve tucked away inside my treasured Hansel and Gretl box.


#3Finally I empty my beautiful one-of-a-kind carpet bag of its contents - the notes, letters and Thank You’s I’ve received, and read my way through, savoring the words,

especially and always those penned long-ago by my fellow TeachingAuthor Carmela Martino when I sold, at long last, my very first picture book.


Before I know it,
I’ve recalibrated my compass, refueled my heart and found my way home to my keyboard and story.


Happy Writing – and – Recalculating (if and when needed)!

Esther Hershenhorn

P.S.
The above Rx is a true-blue twofer; the 3-step ritual helps me REBOOT too!

P.P.S.
Let’s hear it for that hard-working second-chance prefix RE! Where would we be without it?

7 comments:

Carmela Martino said...

What a GREAT ritual, Esther!
And I'm smiling from ear to ear knowing that my long-ago note still inspires you, my friend. <3

Linda B said...

So glad to hear you "keep" those treasures, for re-booting, re-newing, whatever 're' you need it to be. Words helping to start words, love it!

laurasalas said...

I love this. That idea of emailing cards to yourself? Brilliant! Lots of us save notes/cards/letters from kids/editors/fans, etc. But finding encouragement from within is even *more* powerful. Lovely.

Patricia Toht said...

You had me at hope-filled greeting cards! That is so Esther. <3

Irene Latham said...

You had me at your North Star playing hide-n-seek. :) Love how you are taking care of your writing self by mailing things that will help you. Really lovely. Thank you for sharing!

Esther Hershenhorn said...

How terrific that my Recalculating Ritual strike a responsive chord with so many TeachingAuthors readers.
Re those encouraging greeting cards I've been SNAIL-mailing myself, despite the rising costs of stamps (!): I realized early on that if no one else was encouraging me in realizing my Dream, it was the least I could do for myself. :)

The Pen and Ink Blogspot said...

MUST start emailing cards to myself. Love this. I need to reboot. Thanks you.
Pen and ink - Susan