Start Your Story From the Heart

This week I have been really focused on what message is within my heart right now. One thing that has been evident is that God is moving in my life in a way that I can't describe. I have prayed for wisdom, direction, and patience. For a while, I thought maybe God didn't hear me, but then I started paying attention and realized that He is actually answering those prayers by providing with me exactly what I need. Some of these things I miss, some I catch, and some I question.

One thing that I love more than anything is to help others. When I first started my free workshop, November to New Year with Authentically Created, I didn't really advertise it much and was hoping for an intimate group turnout so I could be present with each person. It has been so much that I have gotten to a point where I cannot wait to hear their updates on how they are progressing with their books. Today, we enter into our final four days of plotting and planning where we will go back over all the work we've done up to this point, make sure we have everything we need and prepare to start writing on November 1st. 

There is a question, however, that comes up a lot. How do I start my story?

When November 1 comes and I'm sitting down at my computer, frozen in place despite having a very detailed outline, I like to do a few things to get myself in the zone of writing.

1. Deep Breathing - a few deep breathing exercises help calm my nerves
2. Water & Snacks - if I am going to be writing for a long period of time, which usually on the first day, I do, then I make sure to have enough water and snacks close by so I don't have to break the flow
3. Remove Distractions - I always put my phone on DND during writing times
4. Release Nervous Energy - I get really nervous (not sure why that is), so sometimes I have to pace a bit if I'm stuck inside or I try to go for a short walk right before so I get rid of that nervous energy
5. Speak From the Heart - this is the biggest one, once you start writing, write from the heart and don't worry about mistakes or anything like that, just write
6. Don't Self-Edit - keep writing, don't self-edit along the way, that comes when your rough draft manuscript is complete and if you do it as you write, you may never finish writing because you'll always find something that needs changed

Writing from the heart is the best way to get out what you are feeling and thinking in a way that is controlled but speaks volumes. Even when writing a fiction book, sometimes allowing yourself to feel the emotion of the character you are writing about will help you get their story across. 

May your fall writing be filled with thousands of words that flow from your heart to the page.

With Grace, Shonda Ramsey