August Writing Challenge

Week 3 - Refinement

Welcome back my friends!

Fantastic work for these first two weeks of the challenge. I had a feeling there were quite a few hidden talents out there waiting for a chance to share their gifts with others!

Congratulations on your leap of faith. I’m so honoured to be here with you all. You people rock!

Photo by Ian Stauffer

If you’re still waiting on the sidelines but thinking you might still want to give this challenge a shot, you’re in luck! There is always another opportunity to jump in. Let go of expectations and just have some fun. Let me know by leaving the comment, “I’m ready now!”

WEEK 3 - REFINEMENT

Photo by Clémence Bergougnoux

Can you hold onto something without squeezing it while also relaxing without dropping it?

The balance of these two opposing ideas is how I like to view the process of refinement in writing.

Editing is all about refinement. Finding what is working well and feeling out what isn’t quite hitting the mark.

This week give yourself some extra time to refine and tune your piece of writing so it feels harmonious with your intention. The key here is to feel it.

Feel it without “squeezing” your creativity into a self imposed writers block while at the same time “relaxing” without becoming distracted or careless with your efforts. This is a dance with your own creative expression.

Find the right balancing point for yourself and you’ll know you hit the spot and it’s time to release it when you feel a lightness around it.

Photo by Ibrahim Rifath

Invitation

I know many of you are bubbling over with ideas for your next piece of writing. If that’s you then I invite you to take some extra time before sharing and allow yourself the space to refine your work as needed.

Sometimes just taking a walk or even reading it aloud to yourself will reveal areas that need some attention. Remember, it’s a feeling of lightness that will be your signal of completion.

Feeling that lightness now? 🪶

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Get Your Motor Running

Feeling stuck? Maybe not really sure what to write about and need some inspiration?

1. Challenge your body to physical movement beyond your comfort zone. Maybe that’s a long hike, weightlifting or even an impromptu dance in your kitchen. Increasing blood flow increases creative flow!

2. Inspiration comes to you when you’re in the moment. Let the ideas come to you by giving yourself time to enjoy life and the moments you have. Keep a note pad in your pocket and go about your day. When the time comes to write, you’ll be ready.

3. Stillness. Prayer. Meditation. All creation begins in the stillness. It can be as simple as giving yourself a pause while reading this and watching your breath…

More Beautiful Questions

Need a starting point? Here are a few questions that might be useful for your writing this week.

1. What would you say to your younger self at a time they needed love the most?

2. What silver lining have you found within your most challenging moments? How does it feel to embody this insight?

3. What resentment have you finally let go of? What does it feel like to be free from this weight of the past and return to your power?

Photo by Sage Friedman

I wish you all the very best this week and look forward to reading your creations. 🙏🏼

Continued Blessings,

Graham