Written by Jenn
|
11 June 2010
Blind Writing - Part 2
Glad you could make it back. Now where was I?
Oh yes! I was going to tell you why I call it Blind Writing.
But that has to wait just a bit longer. First, back to Klauser in Writing on Both Sides of the Brain: Breakthrough Techniques for People Who Write
. She explains that to reach into the creative side of your mind you must first shut down the editor. To do this, she advises setting aside everything else and simply writing for 10 minutes. To keep your editor from kicking in and trying to change things, you need to force yourself to just keep writing. If you are using pen and paper, keep the pen on the paper and keep writing. If you are using the computer, keep typing no matter what.
Here's where my term "Blind Writing" comes in. When I first started doing this I selected using the computer since I can generally type faster than I can write. However, I found that the editor kept kicking up her head wanting me to stop and fix stuff. At the time I still used a desktop computer so the screen was farther from me than with my laptop. Since I am nearsighted, I would simply take off my glasses while I typed so that the screen was only a blur. This held that editor at bay because she couldn't see the screen. Hence, "Blind Writing".
However, I did learn quite quickly that I could easily also get my hands in the wrong position on the keyboard and end up with gibberish, so I would peek occasionally at the screen.
Now, here's the deal about the 10 minute requirement. Generally, you will run out of words to type or write. Since you have forced your brain to keep supplying you with words, it is forced to search for topics to write about. At this point, Klauser points out, your brain "hits the wall" like a runner does in a marathon. The runner gets his second wind and keeps going. Since you keep writing regardless of the lack of words, your brain scrambles to fill the void.
Incidentally, I often find myself writing such things as "I have to keep writing even if I don't know anything to say. I promised myself I'd keep writing so I am going to keep writing..." and on and on until my brain gets to its "second wind".
Since you've shut off your editor (the left side of the brain), its only recourse it to pull from the right side. Thus, instead of seeking out the linear, analytic information it dives right into the random world of the right side. While dealing over there it starts putting random bits of information into a logical sequence for writing. That when it hits its "second wind". Suddenly thoughts start spilling out that you never knew were in there. Don't be surprised if you are actually quite amazed at what appears. You have now tapped into the creative side of your mind and it is randomly grabbing bits of information and making sense of them.
Try doing this for a journal to access the recesses of your mind. I'm sure you'll find it an enlightening experience. Plus, you will find yourself coming up with ideas that are totally new to you and possibly to anyone else. Do it daily and you'll find resolutions to personal issues that have eluded you to that point. You might also end up being the creative one at work, the person who can "think outside the box", and the person that management seeks out for promotion.
Go for it. Get "blind" and get writing!
To Your Success!
