Comments on CATHARSIS: What's It Like When You Write?

Me too Janine. I find it sad though that I've...

2011-10-18T10:31:39.075-05:00

Me too Janine. I find it sad though that I've been finding it hard to hand write. We've all been so used to being on the keyboard that our handwriting is suffering....well, mine is. And yep, whatever works!

And thanks for sharing what inspires you Cath! I ...

2011-10-18T08:27:59.732-05:00

And thanks for sharing what inspires you Cath! I can't imagine how it would be for me if I had a full time job outside the home. I admire you and others like you who do that and STILL write and engage in creative endeavors!

Don't apologize for the long comment. I love ...

2011-10-18T08:26:38.834-05:00

Don't apologize for the long comment. I love them!!! Anyway, I agree that a relaxed mind is more productive. I'm happy you moved (otherwise there won't be good stuff for us to read!), hehehehe.....Thanks too for sharing your experiences and your 'style' Sam! :-)))))

I'm all about talking to strangers and part of...

2011-10-17T23:04:10.818-05:00

I'm all about talking to strangers and part of what I love about Huancayo is that it's so much easier to talk to strangers. Less people look at me funny. =P But I had never purposely talked to strangers to gain inspiration nor have I purposely sought pieces of inspiration from any conversation. It's a good idea though because I find that I naturally pick up ideas from what others tell me or from discussing a topic with someone. Actually, now that I think about it, once I have a topic down, I do try to seek our conversations to flesh out the post. For example, I'll often try to get different opinions from different people.

I'm definitely not a professional like Elizabeth Gilbert -- I would love to focus as she is able to -- but I have found that the physical surrounding has done a lot for my writing. It's done *everything* for my writing. It wasn't until I came to Peru that I started writing creatively (after many years) and professionally. I attribute it to being able to relax my mind enough to let the words flow through it versus my whacked out mind in the big city that's obsessed with never-ending productivity.Wow! Thanks so much for having me think about this, Joy! =) Maybe I should try the sitting in a cave idea that Gilbert had. =) Or maybe I should buy myself a netbook!

Since I was a child, I spent time alone. Reading,...

2011-10-12T07:30:22.032-05:00

Since I was a child, I spent time alone. Reading, painting. Especially painting. Everyone would go to bed and I'd be up half the night painting. It was a magical time for me. I still prefer the solemness of night, or early morning. These days I have been working hard at a new job, and still learning to find my rhythm. So I am usually too fatigued to stay up at night. But I find I think the best when all is quiet, and so early morning, sometimes as early as 2AM, works best for me.

I can't tell you where my inspiration comes from...it just happens. I am thinking about something, reading something (these days mostly blogs and online things) and BAM! an idea hits and I am off and running. That is how my haiku verse happens...

I can work on the desktop, iPad, pen and ink and paper or pencil (for my art), I just pick up whatever feels right at the moment.

Thanks for such a thought provoking article Joy.
~cath xo

I must be on my Mac...I find it hard to even write...

2011-10-12T05:35:33.926-05:00

I must be on my Mac...I find it hard to even write in a actual paper notebook these days. It's like I must be connected to my laptop, fingers touching the keys, for the creativity to come...what else helps - I agree, nature. I have to think about what else...

When I write, really write, it's as if I'm...

2011-10-11T12:19:21.172-05:00

When I write, really write, it's as if I'm possessed. I don't want to do anything else - not eat, see anyone, read or watch TV, no distractions except for maybe going for a walk. Just leave me alone, leave me alone, I beg, don't call me, ask me out, come to see me, wonder what's the matter with me. I'm in Paradise or in the loony bin, on a cloud where no one can reach me, or in bed with an all-encompassing lover. I'm madly in love with the words, the language, the story, the characters, the scenes, the emotions that pour out of me as if inspired by some force or power beyond or outside me, and writing becomes my everything - until the world intervenes.

Three times in my life, I've been able to shut myself away like a hermit and concentrate solely on my writing. I live in hope of another such chance that will last until I'm finished. Selfish? Maybe. Don't understand? Who can except for me and other writers?

It's a long time since I've done any real writing.