On Writing Right

Dear Creator,

You’re always right when you write.

This is not a grammar lesson. Relieved? Me too! As much as the nuts and bolts of writing are important, they are somewhat useless if your writing is poor, bland, or just plain boring. Writing stories, fiction or non, needs creativity!

I wanted to share an idea with you. It’s about your brain; your creative imagination to be exact. That place where the great ideas come from. I’ve always been fascinated by the part of the brain that collects information through our senses, then swirls it around until “poof” or “pop” an idea just appears out of nowhere. Usually in the shower, or while you’re driving or doing something on auto pilot, like sleeping. It’s fascinating because when you really desperately need an idea, it’s impossible to force it. You could shower all day long, but if you are focused on creating that big idea? Forget about it. Literally. Don’t even think about it.

Some people call it the “right” side of the brain and I think that is very poignant because it is always right. There are no bad ideas, or wrong imaginations. It’s the execution of the idea that often goes awry, or the lack of execution. The idea itself is our brains way of helping us grow and evolve as people.

When I am writing, ideas often flow while I am at the keyboard. And I let them dance around on the page right then and there. Because if I analyze it, dissect it to see if it’s a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ idea, then I’ve missed the point of creativity. My brain switches gears and I’m now using my critical brain to make decisions about something that was about to reveal itself anyway. Ideas and imagination need to manifest out in the real world before we can judge them.

I encourage you today, Dear Creator, to allow your imagination to flow freely onto the page. Write it down. Doodle. Draw. Paint. Sing. Play! Enjoy the right side of the brain and see what beauty reveals itself. At the very least, you will have had some fun!