Arlene Francey Lyne, Life Coach at The Writers Company, writes about how to tap into the energy of Spring to help your writing process.
Daffodils are out, tulips are on their way, birds are making their presence known.
The darkness has held the potential of bulbs and seeds beneath the surface of the ground. The light, which gathers pace from now on, will help them to grow. As in nature, so in life; it’s time to begin, to be bold.
Here are some questions to help you embrace the burgeoning energy for yourself.
1) Which ‘life seeds’ would you most like to grow this season?
If you’re reading this, I’m guessing that writing is something you’d like to cultivate. However, even the stuff we’re passionate about can sometimes occur as a great big should.
Sometimes the kindest thing you can do as a writer is to give yourself permission to have a season off from any big stuff; to keep it ticking over and allow your energy and attention to be where it needs to be for now.
That said, if writing IS one of your chosen ‘life seeds’,
2) Which specific ‘writing seeds’ will you choose?
I get excited by our box of seed packets. In the past I’ve tried to sow all of them. Big mistake! I always end up with gluts and/or poor crops as I’m not able to give them all the care and attention they need.
Just as we’ve chosen which individual variety of tomato we’re going to grow this spring/summer and left the other packets to rest in the box for now, which specific writing project would you like to choose and sow?
3) What do your ‘writing seeds’ need to thrive?
Seedlings need water, sunlight and nourishment to thrive. When it comes to my writing, I have specific practices I use to give it the attention it needs. I block out 10am – 1pm on certain weekdays, I put my phone on ‘silent’ during that time, and I go to the library to write two sessions per week. What are three practices you could adopt to tend to your writing this spring?
For the women writers amongst you with a writing project or practice you would dearly love to grow this spring/summer, bookings have opened for the Make It Happen coaching circle. This is a dedicated 12 week programme for a small group of 5 women. You can find out more here [link to courses page].
Arlene Francey Lyne is a coach for women who want to live the life they imagined. Part way through a MA Creative Writing at the University of Essex, she is passionate about helping other women root themselves in what matters to them, to create the time and energy to tend to it, to stay motivated, and to do so gently.