***I have a number of writing
deadlines coming up over the next couple of months so I have decided
instead of stepping away from my blog completely to concentrate solely
on my writing, I will bring back an encore performance of my WRITERLY
WISDOM series from three years ago. WW is 52 glorious posts by authors,
agents, and editors from around the country providing writerly wisdom in
categories from why even become a writer all the way to how to publish
and market your books.
There
will be two posts loaded per week...Mondays & Wednesdays...so be
sure to stop by and check out all the encouraging information given by
my lovely writerly friends! I hope you enjoy the encore presentation of
my WRITERLY WISDOM series and I will return with shiny, new posts in the
fall!***
Reinventing
Your Imagination
By Wendy Whittingham
Suppose people
were born without an imagination? (I can’t even imagine it!)
Don’t let my
normal appearance fool you. You’ve no idea what flies into my head at a
moment’s notice. (Mind readers, back off!) As an artist and writer and
all-round creative soul, most days I find my brain racing with ideas. I don’t
understand people who hit a brick wall and seem to be always seeking lightbulb
moments. I have enough ideas to light up the Taj Mahal. (Holy Moley, it sure is
bright in here!)
Sadly, as the
general population matures, they begin to think about life with a more
realistic perspective. The brain develops as we become adults and our thought
processes and behaviours change. The truth is, our creative side is put on hold
and we stop imagining. In short, we learn to be boring. (Not me though!)
Is there any
way of reversing this cruel reality? And what sort of person would pursue the
task of reinventing their imagination? It’s not something that can be acquired
at the local shopping mall, place of worship and you can’t sign up anywhere to
apply for a new imagination. (Right about now I bet you’re wishing you hadn’t
lost it in the first place!)
Perhaps you’re
toying with the idea of reinventing your imagination. What I mean is, you’ve
made the decision to take it to another level. Suppose you could close your eyes and imagine a whole new
angle on the things around you? Would you dive right in, or would there be some
hesitation on your part? Come on, what would you have to lose - or gain? (I
knew you’d see it my way!)
There is plenty
to gain, and nothing to lose. Now here’s the hard part. You need to find a way
to actually go about doing it. I bet you can think of a zilllion of excuses not
to try, but come on! Living a colorful enriched life means being a risk taker,
and if we need to go out on a limb, let’s find the longest and most precarious
limb. Seriously, if you want to make a change, you have to feel uncomfortable.
This goal is no walk in the park. So, relax and try some of the suggestions
below. (Easy peasy lemon squeasy!)
Plan A:
Find a place
where you can be alone, close your eyes and imagine you’re no longer an adult.
This spot is where your childhood self exists and in this place there is no
stress, no inhibitions and no disappointments. No one telling you that isn't true, or that isn't doable or you’re
wasting your precious time on something that will prove to be worthless. The new voices you will hear inside your head are your
own creation and they’re okay! Have fun in your childhood place - play, dream and create like you used to. Who cares what
other people think? And hey, if you can find a like-minded friend to do this
with, it will be twice as fun! (Two kids’ heads are better than one!)
If finding or moving into this zone, is uncomfortable or difficult for
you, give plan B a try.
Plan B:
Head outdoors. Depending on where you live, enjoy the
world around you. Whether you simply sit on the front porch step, walk or jog
along a sidewalk or hike up a rocky trail, take time to smell the air, listen
to the sounds, gaze in all directions. Do you see birds, clouds, mountains,
skyscrapers? Being outside, wherever that may be, erases all the short term
stuff in your head and allows you to keep only the important thoughts. Oh, did
I mention inviting a friend, (imaginary or real) along? Sometimes it’s good to
have someone else there so you can bounce ideas. (imaginary friends have
awesome imaginations!)
If neither of these are
working, go directly to Plan C:
Plan C:
Be irresponsible. Yes, I’m
not kidding. Go do something completely crazy right this minute! (Not anything
illegal of course!) The last thing you want to do is land up in prison. Just
forget what other people think, as the only fear you have is how you will be
perceived by others, and does it really matter anyway?
Now go and do it!
PS~ I’m off to take my pet
ladybug for a walk.
(See you on the flip side!)
As
Alice in Wonderland said: “If I had a world of my own, everything would be
nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it
isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be,
it would. You see?” ~ Lewis Carroll
My full name is Wendy Jane Whittingham. I am a professional artist and have been selling my work for quite some time.
I currently reside in a quiet, but artsy south-western town located on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Not
only did I excel in the visual arts as a child, but I loved to play
with words. I wrote hundreds of stories and poems as I grew up, and
imagined many more inside my head, some of which are still floating
around in there and dying to get out!
Most
days I feel like one of the luckiest people around. I love the
creative process and the flexibility it offers me on a day-to-day basis.
Mucking about and getting my hands dirty is just half the fun!
Website: www.wendywhittingham.com
Email: www.tooartsy@hotmail.com
