Want to Become a Better Writer? Here are 3 Practices to Take Your Writing to the NEXT Level

If you're a writer, like me, your relationship with writing can either be the most fulfilling, meaningful and life-enhancing dynamic or the most confusing, frustrating and heart-wrecking one.

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On the one hand, there is an energy, a message or a truth that vehemently demands expression in written form.

On the other hand, there is a block, an excuse or a pattern that often shows up between you and your writing.

You have tried everything to make it work.

Forcing yourself to write didn't work, because nothing came through. Your inspiration well was completely dry. The few words you produced were lifeless, dull, almost pointless.

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You prepared yourself, made a plan and were on the verge of entering your writing zone, when your attention was suddenly captivated by something else.

Oups, the dishes haven't been washed! There is an important phone call to make! There are so many unread emails in my inbox that I need to check!

So you end up tying up all other possible loose ends to avoid showing up to do your writing.

There is an almost unbearable ache in your soul, a bittersweet longing in your heart... but a big mess in your head. You want to write so badly, but you avoid it even worse. And what's worst, you don't understand why that is and what you can do about it.

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There is something very precious inside you awaiting expression, something that only you can articulate, something that the world desperately needs, but you're not letting it come through.

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However, when you do write, you feel on top of the world. You feel as if you're fulfilling some sacred mission, that has been appointed to you and you only.

Surrendering to this flow of endless words makes you forget about time, space and reality. Writing takes over you, you become the writing itself.

There is nothing like the sweet liberation experienced when the truth in my heart is granted space and given written form. I feel like a heavy burden is unloaded. I can finally breathe better. I feel like making love to God through writing, almost as if I fully lived my divine purpose for that day.

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If writing is a passion of yours that you feel a strong calling to pursue... If you feel like there's something missing in the way you relate to your writing... If the potential you feel brewing inside is not fully honoured by your choices and given permission to fully manifest... I can assure you, you're not the only one!

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I've been working through many writing blocks recently, and I feel I've made some progress. As a result, I felt a joyful duty to write this article in an attempt to inspire and encourage you to overcome yours as well.

So here are my three main practices that you can implement to facilitate your writing process and become the best writer that you, deep down, know you can be.

1. Practice being present with your emotions and feelings that come up before, during or after writing.

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Especially the uncomfortable ones. They are the mortar for your creative construction. Your writing will come alive and captivate your reader if it emanates raw, unfiltered, genuine emotion.

Believe it or not, the very emotional blocks that prevent you from writing can become your main source of inspiration.

If you feel frustrated, write about that frustration. If you feel guilty, vividly describe that visceral, contracting feeling in your belly. If you feel angry, let it infuse your writing and do not be afraid by its intensity.

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Our emotions are the signals from our internal GPS system. Every emotion has something valuable to teach us about where we're at in our inner process at a particular point in space and time.

But, if we grew up in a heavily repressed environment, where we weren't allowed to fully express ourselves, we internalized the shaming mechanism and apply it to ourselves in our inner dialogue.

"If I say this, what are my readers going to think about me?"

No, no, no, dear. You need to stop that, right now. It's only you who is judging yourself.

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Look into that feeling. It's only there for a reason. Examine it, stay present with it, breathe into it... let it take its course and it will reveal to you its lesson when it is fully processed and integrated.

And you can aid this process by simply letting the emotions speak for themselves in writing.

So much emotional release can happen in writing, and by you courageously sharing that with others almost gives them permission and inspiration to have their own breakthroughs.

Get out of the way, and let your feelings work their magic. I promise, your writing will accrue new, unexpected qualities and your readers will be drawn to you like bees to the sweetest of nectars. Emotional nakedness is very sexy, indeed.

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2. Develop the practice called "morning pages".

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Morning pages are advocated by Julia Cameron in her famous book, "The Artist's Way". I read that book last summer, and ever since I started implementing this practice, my writing has stretched and continues to expand beyond unimaginable frontiers.

Every morning you're basically asked to show up in front of a blank page, ready to let out anything and everything that wants to be written. The topics can range from the banalest things (who you met last night, what your plans for the day are), to the most philosophical ones (what is real happiness, what is the purpose of your existence, etc.)

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Engaging in a free flow stream of consciousness enables you to clear the surface debris of your mind and access a deeper truth of your being.

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It's almost as if you're giving voice to the unexpressed within you, that has been waiting in the dusty corners of your mind to be brought to the light of your awareness for a long time. And that is not only indescribably rejuvenating. It is shape-shifting your internal landscape, as well as maturing your understanding of yourself and your reality.

Making a commitment to show up to the morning pages, in spite of your resistances and distractions, rewires your brain to the habit of writing. It creates a "writing groove" (expression borrowed from Canadian writer Jeff Brown).

The more you write, the easier it's going to be to write. The more momentum you build, the more consistently, quantitatively and qualitatively you're going to write.

You are born to write, therefore you must write.

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The satisfaction you get from feeding your passion and making an impact on the world is going to grow stronger than your resistance, fear or laziness.

And for that to happen, you just have to write more. Morning pages are the perfect place to practice your writing, in a completely non-judgmental and unstructured style.

I can guarantee you, there's so much fun and release to be had when you enter into an intimate conversation with yourself. It can be hard to get started, but once you find your flow, it can be the most satisfying thing.

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I've been writing journals since I was 12. Only in the last year have I established the practice of writing every day, and in the meantime I've noticed an incredible improvement in the quality of my writing. So I can only recommend you experiment with it as well.

Every morning, make an intention to write whatever comes to mind. If you feel the need for structure, set yourself a few guidelines: write either 3 pages, or for 15 minutes. I personally write until the topics exhausts themselves.

3. If you want to be a better writer, you have to become a better person.

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And by that, I don't mean being better than anybody else. It's all about YOU: your growth, your evolution, your maturation.

Your writing directly reflects the quality of your consciousness. The more you work to bring awareness to your thoughts, feelings and inner process, the more profound and insightful your writing becomes.

The more you work to process your unresolved feelings, purify your mind of toxic thoughts and enhance your sense of presence, the more you open up a space within yourself for more imagination and creativity to flow through.

Step outside of the confines of your comfort zone. Face your fears. Overcome your limitations. Take consistent, conscious choices reflecting the courage and strength you know reside in your heart, as opposed to listening to the voice of fear and smallness.

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These actions will open the gates for more life to pour through every pore of your being. You become more adventurous, your imagination is unleashed and suddenly... your writing is no longer black and white, but the latest 3D action-packed movie.

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I'm not joking. And I am at the same time. Hey, why you take life so seriously? 😃

Seriously now, a commitment to self-work is the greatest service you can bring to humanity and the key to unlocking previously unknown creative vistas.

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The more love you can hold in the face of judgment or hatred, the more compassion you can demonstrate at someone's suffering, the more peace you can feel in the face of the torment of today's world, the better your writing becomes.

Higher and deeper, wiser and purer, your writing will encompass a wider variety of human experience and describe it in subtler nuances.

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But hey, don't take my word for it. You have to experience it for yourself.

After all, I'm only talking about my own experience, which I hope can be universalized.

If you resonate with my ideas, let me know! I am very curious to find out what's your view on the matter.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to comment! I am here to help, to the best of my ability.

If you enjoyed this post, I'd really appreciate it if you upvoted, resteemed and followed me!

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You can also check out my other articles so far: Introducing... Diary of A Free Spirit, Enough Self-Sabotage! From Inner Conflict to Inner Peace, With a Little More Awareness Each Breath, Why Meditating is (Slowly but Surely) Changing My Life for the Better and Challenge Accepted! 5 (Quirky) Things About me

And lastly, a poem-manifesto on writing as my soul's calling...

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There is a burning sensation inside my chest
like a volcano on the verge of an explosion
like boiling water on the point of evaporation
like a chick breaking its egg
and taking its first breath of life

I cannot wait any longer
the ache in my soul is unbearable
the frustration in my mind is terrible
the truth in my heart is begging
to be given space, to be given form
pain into light to transform

like a blossoming new flower bud
this life force that moves my blood
remembers its calling that feels like home
yes! at last, there's nowhere else to roam

for far too long I didn't bother
open the curtains for the light to shine through
and deep within this longing slowly withdrew

I would sometimes give it voice
when literally I had no choice
but to drown in merciless depression
or heal myself through unfiltered expression

Today I remember once again
what lies in my innermost core
what opens the door to my soul
what ignites the spark of my essence
human merging with divine presence

I write to stream this restlessness
that permeates my soul
I write to celebrate this endlessness
that fascinates my mind
I write to summon this fearlessness
that resides in my heart

I write so I can breathe lighter
I write so I can move faster
I write so I can think clearer
I write so I can see sharper

Finding totality in this one practice
Needing nothing, loving everything
I am all, at one with the universe

When the calling beckons
make sure you answer the call
for it will reveal your way home
and your whole life it will transform

You become it, it becomes you
even if you don't have a clue
as to what is going on, that's okay
I promise it will make sense one day

Be You, Be Wild, Be Free

Bristena
#DiaryOfAFreeSpirit