Under your own spell

If you write or dream of writing, intending to provide material for other people, it makes sense to reflect on what you think they desire to know. Would you ask them directly, infer or, try out your skills of mental telepathy? Writing for readers is a test for you. Do you tell them a little bit of detail to spark their curiosity? What would you like people to discover for themselves? Maybe you assume reading words would be a meaningful experience for anyone. What kind of experience? It may be a matter of feeling like you're under your own spell. Words can be that powerful.

If you would like to share part of yourself or leave a legacy, stories may be the least you could leave for future generations. In some priceless ways, stories may be one of the most selfless gifts you can offer the world with no strings attached, or at least few expectations. After all, you would likely hope somebody somewhere would read it and benefit somehow.

At times, you may feel you live in your own world, separate from others, maybe even experiencing things that seem impossible to overcome. Writing could give you a way to deal with this. As you look inside you, other people remain outside. The more you explore your inner world, the more connected you can feel to everyone.

1) Why do you need to learn? Writers may write because it enables them to reflect back on their words and learn. Readers may read in order to build on what they think they know or, learn completely new things. Any person may simply desire to develop self-inquiry and grow. Our minds think ceaselessly on everything that happens. Our perception can be positive or negative. It can expand us and enable us to feel strengthened or, it can contract us and make us feel troubled. As you discipline your self-talk, and how you interpret words, you'll learn to control which ideas you accept and which ideas you wish to reject.   Will you choose to change?

2) Would anyone pay to read this and why? Some writers naturally imagine how they would market their material to an audience. What would make it stand out from other writers and motivate readers to buy it? How would you honk your own horn? What about your life or style, is purely unique? Readers might look at certain published material and wonder how that ever managed to get into print. Publishers and literary agents also have to learn to think strategically, to survey best seller lists and other trends which help influence the projects they choose to believe in. If you have low self-confidence, its hard to convince others to buy your work.

3) Will I come away with anything useful? Only an individual reader or writer determines if words are worthwhile. What you drink in or churn out is subjective, yet relates to your values and vision of the world. Understand whatever job you have, whatever life choices you make, your perception will cause you to think as you always have, unless you progress along your inner journey and grow. For those people who feel over-confident in their credentials and abilities, they may not feel ready or willing to absorb new words or their implications. Whether or not a writer benefits from the writing exercise, and whether or not readers choose to learn, is based on desire to explore fact or fiction, the past or present or, wallow in fantasy.