I started doing morning pages late this summer after reading that part of The Artist's Way (after years of having heard about them and not embraced the idea because I write a lot already.) I'm not saying they're the magic elixir that's solved all of my writing problems, but I am feeling good about the role they play in my life. I first had to redefine morning pages as "whenever the heck I sit down to write" which means they sometimes happen late in the day, sometimes early ish in the day. Usually sometime early afternoon tbh. I also in order to not spook myself give myself permission to miss a day here and there, particularly when embroiled in some of the long details of being the parent of college-aged kids where there are long drives or times to prioritize being with them, etc.
Anyway, it's definitely worth a shot. It also has a side benefit of I realized I'm chewing through some of my extensive notebook collection! :) And using some fun pens (which are my reward to myself for, you know, like surviving a Tuesday, lol.) I use that as part of the brain candy for staying motivated. Good luck, I hope you'll report back, though I have to admit it took me a good 1-2 months before I could feel the real turn in myself around these. Like, at first I was just slogging and it felt like usual journal stuff (and still does many days, just the basic boring blah) - but the transformative thing I think is the way it lets me empty out some of that basic boring blah so I"m less tempted to write from that blah headspace.
I'm still figuring it out, but it's been a couple of months and I feel like I've integrated it into my routine and get a benefit, so that's win-win.
I'm a big believer in morning pages. It's part of my whole writing ritual, including pulling a tarot card. Not that it stops me from procrastinating, but it definitely helps me clear the throat, so to speak. Thanks for the book rec!
I started doing morning pages late this summer after reading that part of The Artist's Way (after years of having heard about them and not embraced the idea because I write a lot already.) I'm not saying they're the magic elixir that's solved all of my writing problems, but I am feeling good about the role they play in my life. I first had to redefine morning pages as "whenever the heck I sit down to write" which means they sometimes happen late in the day, sometimes early ish in the day. Usually sometime early afternoon tbh. I also in order to not spook myself give myself permission to miss a day here and there, particularly when embroiled in some of the long details of being the parent of college-aged kids where there are long drives or times to prioritize being with them, etc.
Anyway, it's definitely worth a shot. It also has a side benefit of I realized I'm chewing through some of my extensive notebook collection! :) And using some fun pens (which are my reward to myself for, you know, like surviving a Tuesday, lol.) I use that as part of the brain candy for staying motivated. Good luck, I hope you'll report back, though I have to admit it took me a good 1-2 months before I could feel the real turn in myself around these. Like, at first I was just slogging and it felt like usual journal stuff (and still does many days, just the basic boring blah) - but the transformative thing I think is the way it lets me empty out some of that basic boring blah so I"m less tempted to write from that blah headspace.
I'm still figuring it out, but it's been a couple of months and I feel like I've integrated it into my routine and get a benefit, so that's win-win.
I'm a big believer in morning pages. It's part of my whole writing ritual, including pulling a tarot card. Not that it stops me from procrastinating, but it definitely helps me clear the throat, so to speak. Thanks for the book rec!