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Corridors to Creativity

by Rob Daugherty

This is the companion article to the Whole-Mind Advanced Hypnosis and Guided Imagery CD called Corridors to Creativity. This article contains many tips for writers to break through writer's block and be more productive. The CD was created to reinforce all the ideas discussed in this article (in addition to many other positive qualities of writing).

An Exercise to Eliminate Writer's Block and Increase Productivity

Every artist has experienced a state of pure creative flow, when the words, thoughts, and images seem almost to be inspired by something beyond them. Other times, writers have stared at an empty page or the same paragraph hoping, wishing, praying for the flow to begin.

This exercise will help you overcome writer's block. It's based on a proven psychological process that helps people find solutions to the issues at hand. I've modified it and geared it specifically to writers. Explore this exercise the next time you need an idea. Enter the "Corridors to Creativity."

In front of you are three doorways. What's in these doorways can change based on your creative process, but for now, imagine that down the first corridor is a special restaurant.

In this restaurant, you invisibly float about, able to hear everyone's conversations and thoughts, and able to see facial expressions and reactions up close.

Describe the people, noticing details like when they breathe or sigh, where their eyes look, what they do with their hands when they speak, or if they bite their lip or play with their food. What things catch their eye as they sit? Notice non-verbal behavior,
appearance and posture. Make up their occupations, dreams and talents, and use this information for a character's motivation or conflict, a plot twist, or a new story line.

Lovers are always in restaurants. How do they look at each other? What might he think about her smile? Is there anything she'd like to change about him? What issues exist in their past that are causing problems today? Imagine what made them fall in love.

Ponder the person sitting alone. Is she new to the area? Is he a detective? Or possibly waiting to meet someone who maybe won't show up? Create the scenario.

Have fun with this idea the next time you're in a public place. Become invisible and observe. Pretend to read minds. And remember, everything you imagine is exactly what's best for you at that time. So trust your inner mind, and let the thoughts flow.

Let's explore the second door. It's like a dream, but it contains a strange variation of writing inspiration.

As you move down this second corridor, you hear extremely large pages turning very slowly, deliberately. Visualize a forest of giant books, newspapers, magazines, yellow pages, greeting cards, market listings. Step into a cartoon - a world of magic - pages and pages of inspiration, ideas, tips and reminders just for writers.

As you wander through this forest, be aware that these pages are controlled by your subconscious and are familiar with your current challenge. Look at one of the items, and its pages open to words or images that are pertinent. Newspaper articles bound through the trees as they prove real-life drama. A psychology book with a nervous twitch may be just over the hill, its pages detailing an interesting trait that would subtly add the unique twist to the conflict or motivation of your character.

A hefty telephone book shouts out names and occupations that add depth to your characters. Drooping and limp sympathy cards may give you an idea for foreshadowing. A river of market listings open your mind to an idea that serves a need or leads to a paying assignment.

A forest of playful children's books, internet pages with short attention spans, photo albums, song lyrics, magazines and advertisements are at your disposal by simply stepping into this second doorway of creativity.

As a writer, you have read that these are great ticklers for ideas. And you know that
people-watching is an equally good source. Remember that most of the time these ideas already exist in your head. You just need to dig them out.

Sometimes it's best to visit places and be stimulated by things around you. Other times it's best to utilize your internal sources. By stepping through these corridors, you use both as you recall what you've already seen and heard and then, simply modify them to serve your needs.

I mentioned three doors. What's interesting about the third door is that this is entirely your creation. If the other two doors haven't already worked for you (did you give them enough time without judgment?), imagine yourself walking through this final long hallway, allowing your thoughts to pursue the first thing that comes to mind.

This exercise works because you are giving yourself that necessary deep breath, and you're escaping the pressures and anxieties bearing down on you. The more you imagine these corridors, the better you will become at tapping into and remembering all the sources of creativity and inspiration that you've read and experienced throughout your life.

Remember, your mind responds differently to work than all other things. Usually, the greater the effort, the more you accomplish. With your mind, it is the opposite. The less stress and the less work you impose on your mind, the more it can accomplish.

So, relax. Take in a deep breath. And allow yourself to explore your Corridors to Creativity. Then notice how much more you're experiencing pure, creative flow.

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Rob Daugherty is a webmaster, writer, and certified hypnotist. His writings can be found throughout the net in addition to being published in A Cup of Comfort by Adams Media. This article is the companion article to the hypnosis/guided imagery CD he created specifically to eliminate writer's block and increase productivity. Visit
http://www.letusponder.com/wholemind_relax.html for more information.

Corridors
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Eliminate writer's block
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Notice the ideas and the inspiration that exists all around you as you are filled with a continual stream of new ideas and positive writing behaviors
Because proven psychological techniques are utilized in conjunction with hypnosis, the changes are profound. In addition to these techniques, the most respected writer's sources were researched and are reaffirmed throughout this session. And to take it one step further, the benefits of this session will continue long after listening to this CD.