Today, in the northern hemisphere, it is the summer
solstice. It’s the longest day of the
year and the shortest night. It’s one of the built in shifting points in the rhythm
of our universe—a magical moment when light and dark start swaying towards a new direction. For me, the solstice is a metaphoric tipping point. It’s a point in time when I look at what I’m
doing and decide if I need to change my course.
I’m part of a dedicated critique group. We meet every two weeks for most of the year,
but right around the summer solstice we take a short hiatus. Life seems to get in the way of writing
during the heat of the summer, but I also think it is a time to give our
manuscripts and writing dreams a chance to germinate.
One of my critique partners has dabbled in
illustrating. He's a writer, who likes to make pictures. He would be the first to tell you he's not an illustrator. His vision of what the illustrations
for his story might look like is often as engaging as his writing.
Like all experienced writers, he understands that it is the illustrator who decides on the pictures—but he really can’t stop himself from thinking about
how his story might be illustrated. At
our last meeting, I challenged him to abandon his keyboard during our break and
instead of writing, just “play” with illustrating.
I believe we all need an occasional change in
direction. A time to explore a new
genre, try on a new style or experiment with another form of creative
expression. Why not give yourself a
brief pause from writing and see what you discover? Imagine the possibilities. Use the solstice, as a writing tipping point
to change up what you do. You never know
what inspiration you’ll discover while making sand sculptures along the ocean or penning a new haiku!
Longer nights coming
The shift of summer solstice
Unveils a new me .
Mary Jo------
Mary Jo Guglielmo is writer and intuitive life strategist. She helps clients chart their course of action so they can DO their True North.
or folllow her at:
http://theadvantagepoint.wordpress.com
http://www.helpingchidrencope.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/do_north
http://facebook.com/DoNorth.biz
8 comments:
Excellent advice, always helps to take a short break and look at things again after a spell. It is also inspiring to try your hand at other interests every now and again.
How timely, Mary Jo. It's supposed to set a record today, closing in on 100. I certainly don't feel like doing anything - even in air conditioning. :)
It's always a good idea to stop and rejuvenate now and then.
This is a good thing to think about, to step back, regroup, refill your well or whatever you need to do to recharge your writing.
A perfect day to stay in air conditioning and read a book!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I spent my writing time today gardening!
Thanks for a good suggestion. I've been spending time learning about how to make book trailers. Time to stop learning and DO. A few days break from writing, spent on playing with graphics and video techniques, will probably do my writing the world of good. THANKS for the prompt!
Terrific! Enjoy your break. My critique group always takes a break at this time of the year and during the holidays. We come back better for doing so.
I've been taking an intensive 2 week writing class. I am so brain dead! I had to stop, get out of the house, do some fun things and be around other people. I am continuing with the class and joining/getting involved/reading, etc. However, I can see where it's not a good idea to never take a break. I haven't gotten any new ideas from my excursions but I feel better physically and mentally for taking some time off.
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