Writing from your heart when nothing is there may surprise and amaze you

“Creativity demands nothing less than all you have. Talent alone is never enough.” ~ Erica Jong

Writing your heart out sounds wonderful, therapeutic, and brain-enhancing. But what happens if a writer in search of a blog -- because it’s time for a new spin, an update – keeps ignoring the usual call to the desktop, because that brain is hovering in blank-slate mode?

Writing your heart out may be scary, but what you learn can be amazing

What if she’s always telling everyone that she never has a problem with writing – something.   Nope, never a problem.  Until one day, she does have a problem. Writing. Anything.

How embarrassing to think of yourself as a creative person (having studied up on the topic in recent years), only to find yourself casting for ideas for an immediate posting. And, then, in desperation, grabbing an empty tea box you’ve saved (you know, the ones with the great quotes) because your eyes land on it,  and remembering you saved it because of the quote that maybe you could write about  – sometime.

Then you wonder, what could be the possible significance at the moment you’re grasping for a blog topic, when you turn the box over and the quote is all about creativity?  When creative is the very thing you’re not feeling. Hmmm.


Furthermore, when you mull over the meaning of the words of Erica Jong, you have to agree with her. Because in the not-being-able-to write-your-heart-out moment, you realize that creativity does demand all you have; and certainly going on talent alone won’t cut it.

I suppose most journalists understand this intuitively. After all, we’re used to writing for a deadline. Words must be created and hopefully be creative enough to influence the target audience -- our readers. While scary, it’s fun to do what I just did, and maybe even be glad your mind is a blank slate.

Writing truly is therapeutic.  If you write from your heart, in the spirit of what comes from there, the exercise is therapeutic. It enhances your brain activity; and it can teach you something -- if you’re willing to tune in to what your spirit is trying to tell you. With nothing on your mind when you begin writing, you’ll find it’s fascinating to see what comes up.

In experimenting with impromptu writing about a found object, or someone’s quote  as a jumping-off place (my example),  you become an artist putting words together, observing them flow a design onto your page as a paintbrush on a canvas, and then into the hearts of those who see it.

Writing from your heart when nothing is there may surprise and amaze you. Never knowing where the brush, or pen or computer keys will lead you -- but trusting in the outcome -- you’ll find you’re using all you have at the moment. Your talent is sufficient, because you’re sharing your authentic self in that moment.

 You learn something by the simple act of putting the words down; and you discover that the something you had no idea of writing about, could be exactly what someone needs to read.

The most amazing discovery, however, is that you are writing from the heart, after all.

(Pub. June 12, 2012 at www.TheLivingstonPost.com)