Navigating The Writing Path: Start to Finish
I am very grateful for the timely request from my publisher, Sheri Andrunyk, to contribute to this summer’s blog tour on this very specific topic of writing. I have been writing a little less than normal lately and missing it quite a lot, so the opportunity to have to carve out some time and sit to think about how I write, why I write and what projects I have coming up next is definitely a welcome one.
Thank you to Sheri Andrunyk, my publisher for creating this great opportunity to spread my passion and message of living well from the inside out. Her patience, clarity and expertise as a publisher is a true gift to writers like myself.
Sheri Andrunyk is the founder of I C Publishing (sponsor for this blog tour) and the I C Bookstore, entrepreneur expert, and author of Working From Home & Making It Work and Hearts Linked by Courage. She is extremely passionate about providing more choices and high level support to other writers, business professionals, wellness coaches, and spiritual mentors.
Here are some insights into my writing process; from start to finish…
How do you start your writing projects?
For as long as I can remember I have been writing. Even as a child and young girl, reading and writing were two of my very favorite things. I had countless journals on the go, and still do to this day, they are places for random thoughts and daydreaming.
Now, much older, as a busy entrepreneur and Mom to two incredible children, writing takes on a different purpose and meaning for me. I own Simplicity Yoga and Fitness Therapy Studio, host two local television shows; one is a yoga and pilates show – the other a holistic lifestyle and nutrition show, act as ambassador to a few different companies and most recently in April of 2013 became a first-time author to
The Simplicity Project: A Simple, No Non-Sense Guide To Losing Weight and Changing Your Body Forever!
http://www.icbookstore.ca/thesimplicityproject
To say that I am busy and slightly micro-managed on the best of days would be an understatement:-)
So where do I create the time and space to let these projects begin and flow?
My ideas and inspirations happen everyday all around me, whether it is through watching my children or from my students on their yoga mats in front of me or working with nutrition clients, I have the most beautiful and thought provoking moments daily in my life. I keep a few different journals around my house; one in the kitchen, one next to my bed and one in the washroom (sometimes I write in the tub with the door shut, to find some peace) and I have journals in both of my bags that I alternate between – this way I am covered no matter when an idea or inspiration strikes me. I have also taken to creating a lot and thinking aloud when I am driving. I use the hands-free voice recorder app on my phone or siri and audio record my ideas or outline for what I want to write next. This works really well for me, especially because I write how I talk, so to hear my thoughts as words with emotion, humor, joy, sadness, anticipation etc really gets me excited to continue the creative process and move from talking about it to actually putting pen to paper.
When I was writing my first book, it took me about 8 months start to finish. I began writing a few hours a day when the kids were at school and then stopped for almost two months, I simply couldn’t find the time. But then something clicked and my desire to produce my book and spread my core message and passion further became stronger then the feeling of “I have no time” and I just made the time. I took three full weeks off of clients and got some of my classes covered, my children were in camp and I wrote everyday and most days into the very late night and finished all 220 pages of my book. One inspiration, one message and one chapter at a time. It felt incredible.
How do you continue your writing projects?
Now that my first book is down and out in the world, I continue to write but in different ways. Sometimes they are blogs such as this, other times material for new courses or workshops and sometimes simple notes to myself or elaborate day-dreaming concoctions of maybe’s and what-if’s…
Having the opportunity, daily, to teach so many different people really feeds my inspiration. I have new conversations with students and people seeking guidance or simply wanting to share their stories or be heard everyday, so for me it’s not difficult to think about “what” I want to write about, it is harder to focus on what to leave out:-)
My yoga practice, personal workouts, eating healthy, sleep and finding gratitude in the small stuff helps to keep me motivated and writing.
How do you finish your project?
To be honest, I need deadlines, hard deadlines and reminders to be accountable. It’s true; I have my hands in so many pots of creativity and a to-do list longer then my body, that I get distracted and at times over-whelmed, leaving me to crunch time. One of my intentions for the remainder of 2014 is to transition my early morning “still” meditation and journalling time into a power hour of de-clutter for my notes, my files and half completed project so that I can see what is close to being produced and what still needs some TLC – Time, love and chatter from me.
It truly comes down to me focuses my energy on the topics and ideas that light me up as opposed to feeling like I need to “deliver” a certain result. When I get myself in that zone then I can nail down my thoughts and message quickly and precisely.
Include one challenge or additional tip that our collective communities could help with or benefit from.
Allow yourself to be vulnerable and remain authentically who you really are. If you try to write or sound like someone else or follow the same old outline, routine and expectations, you will probably feel flat and un-inspired in your work. If you stoke yourself with what seriously fires you up in joy and awe and create the right moments, experiences, places and people who energize you and motivate you, you will be blown away at what you can create.
You have no idea how much potential you have.
Have a soul-serving, incredible day
Jenn xo
If you are interested in working with me on your own holistic wellness journey towards living a kickass life, please read more about my consulting services below:
https://jennpike.com//2014/06/17/i-created-this-program-just-for-you/
Please share this blog as part of IC Publishing, my publisher’s, summer blog tour and enjoy the other great contributions by some of my fellow authors and bloggers.
For your convenience, here’s our Twitter (@icpublishing) and Facebook (Insightful Communications Publishing) page links too; and the hashtag for the summer blog tour is #ICBlogTour, so you’ll be able to find us quickly!