As writers we tap into our inner child more often than we
think. Every time we sit to write we act out a rendition of the beloved, “Head,
Shoulders, Knees, & Toes.” Don’t believe me? Read on to see how.
We use our HEAD when
we. . .
Let our imaginations run wild. There’s no brain like a
writer’s brain. We’re constantly absorbing. Loved ones doubt we’re listening,
but in actuality we’re not only listening, we’re taking mental notes about
every facet of the environment around us. When we bang out words on the
keyboard we’re transferring splices of these notes from brain to page. Synapses
unite!
We use our SHOULDERS
when we. . .
Use those painful experiences that have made us feel like
we’ve carried the weight of the world on our backs. We’re more equipped to
empathize with our characters when we’re honest about what has triggered royal
cricks in our own necks.
We use our KNEES when
we. . .
Walk the walk. When we practice our craft.
Knees are one of the largest, most complex joints in the
body. There are ligaments in the knee that keep bones from sliding backward,
forward, or from side to side.
Writers get physiological in the knees when we refuse to go
BACKWARD with our work and our careers. We push on. We develop skills. We learn
during every committed writing session.
We also take care not to shift awkwardly FORWARD. We don’t
rush the process. By taking needed time we honor the story. We don’t simply
throw in a quick fix or a convenient save. We respect the organic evolution of
the narrative.
Writers are knee-conscious as our ligaments keep us from
crunching from SIDE TO SIDE. We do this when we focus on our own craft. Avoiding
the comparison trap keeps us from rubbing others the wrong way.
Knees also have cartilage that works as shock absorbers. In
the current publishing climate we need a lot of shock absorbers.
We use our TOES when we. . .
Take what we’ve learned out in the world and incorporate it
into our manuscripts. Our toes enable us to use life experiences—the miles and
missteps our shoes have tromped. Each step or misstep offers ripe material. Oh,
the tales our toes could tell. Bunions, hammertoes, warts & all.
When is the last time you got physiological as a writer?
My physio-check is a crippled right arm, damaged in a woodworking accident years ago. It reminds me that nothing in this world is perfect, and everything's compromised in some way.
ReplyDelete(This is distinct from the "everyone's broken" mantra so popular in Christianity today. That has more than a whiff of mewling self-pity disguised as humility. If we're functioning, we're not broken. We may be hurt, but just as I have to cowboy up and use the arm I have, we need to use the souls we have, with whatever scars or limitations that we've incurred in life.)
"We need to use the souls we have." Indeed. Great point.
DeleteRight now, I am undergoing therapy for a frozen shoulder due to Arthritis. I have had this shoulder act up on me off and on for several years. When I plan my blog entries and my columns, I use my thinking process to decide the monthly topic and then the appropriate entries. The other parts I will have to think about.
ReplyDeleteLike how you applied this, QS. I hope your therapy continues to help your shoulder.
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