Vidya wanted to write. She had wanted to write for a long time. But she was waiting for creative inspiration to begin.
You see, some of us think that creative inspiration is a magical spark that happens for reasons beyond us. And others consider it as the Grace of Universe descending unto our brains helping us create.
So we wait. And wait. And wait some more.
Unfortunately since writing is produced by the brain in collaboration with rest of our system, we will be inspired when we choose to court that which can inspires us.
We are stimulated through our sense organs. In the following section, you will discover various sensory stimuli that you can deliberately seek to stimulate your creative process:
- Visual: Some of us will respond to still images on the internet, or paintings or cartoons or a photograph in a newspaper/magazine. Some of us will respond to moving images – movies, videos. Or while walking/driving/cycling etc. Some like images that stand out or are unique. Some like compare and contrast images. Some like certain colours in the landscape. Some need the room to be setup in a specific way. Some like nighttime when it is dark.
- Sound: Some might need a theme song/rhythm for writing a piece and play it on loop. Some need a familiar song/music. Some respond to classical orchestra music and some to a raaga. Some need silence. Some respond to windchimes or bells or birdcalls early morning.
- Taste: You can condition yourself to write after drinking a cup of specially coffee/tea or maybe a drink. Or you can associate writing to a piece of fruit or chocolate or a savoury. Some have been known to write after a meal of biryani.
- Smell: You can condition yourself to write to sandalwood or lemongrass or lavender essential oils. Or the smell of samosa. Or smell of flowers. Or the smell of old books. Or the smell of fresh linen.
- Touch: Some of us need a soft cover to sit on as we write. Some like the breeze on our face. Some like warmth in the room. Some like to write after a walk/run/cycling. Some like a strong back support. Some like a nice diary/notebook and a pen to hold and write.
Each of us is stimulated in unique ways. We can also condition ourselves to respond to specific stimulus in creative ways. The trick is to figure out what works and then deliberately seek it repeatedly till it becomes a muscle memory.
In Lightweaver writing courses, I show participants how to use the brain to create rituals and space to nurture a positive relationship with writing. And many other creative hacks to work through your blocks.