When we have a fifth Thursday in the month—like this one—we tap into the wisdom of accomplished creatives.
Today, we garner insights from two greats: C. S. Lewis and Julia Cameron. Both touch on a struggle many writers face—getting out of our own way.
They emphasize surrender, letting go of control, trusting the creative process, and allowing inspiration to flow.
Easier said than done, right? But maybe surrender is less about doing and more about allowing.
Do you struggle with control in your writing, or have you found ways to let go? Share your experience in the comments section below!
Always remember, the only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all.
In my mind set, I surrender only to let my instincts kick in. That is how my siblings and I survived our parents dynamics. We all became creative as a means to express survival, which is a huge asset in acceptance off the larger portrait of life. As I write, I surrender to that force acquired threw many daily challenges as I forged identity. That part of me trusts to reveal on paper any thoughts or stories that need to express themselves. That process allows me to not consider censure as an alternative. In so doing I let the story… Read more »
Interesting to hear another sailing story. Mine took place during a lightning storm on lake Geneva in a small sailboat with an aluminum mast. Not a fun experience, especially without a motor and no way to get back to the marina. A fellow boater eventually towed us in. We had no other way but to surrender to nature. I have done it ever since in many other life situations, including writing. I cannot be forced. I have to wait until the muse comes knocking; then the process becomes natural.
I learned the lesson of surrender in 1973 on a sailing trip. When caught in a gale as we crossed back from the Bahamas to Ft. Pierce, Fl. No words could ever capture that experience. Since then, surrender has been easy for me. I go to my heart and connect to my feelings. That is why when I am given a prompt, it is challenging for me because I don’t feel it first. Happy writing to you all. This surrender was a blessed lesson that not everyone has had or lived through to tell about.