Tag Archives: writing

Metaphorical thinking

Boolean doesn’t work in the world all the time. It does work in many aspects of life: for e.g. whether you want tea or coffee. Even in that case, you might want neither. So there are three values, right? Tea, Coffee, or None. Nevertheless, the world often has multiple shades of grey that are not always exactly quantized accurately for every individual observer. How do you handle that world? How do you learn to live in the world? It is here where I believe that metaphorical thinking helps.

Art is an important part of life. I truly wish no matter what somebody’s profession is, that everybody pursues some art. The power of art is that it plays to the element of the heart, and teaches us the way to look at life as poetry.

Now, why is poetry interesting? Poetry is important because the language of poetry is not the language in which it is written but the underlying symbols: similes and metaphors that it portrays. That kind of thinking opens up certain portions of the brain that give a relief from Boolean thinking. Boolean thinking is important in the world of science and science is important for progress in life. However, when we temper science with art it helps us learn to live in this world no matter what our circumstances are. If we learn to understand or imbibe some sense of metaphorical thinking then we can learn to dance along with the dance of life. We might all not be able to break into tango or salsa or whatever it is that some of our friends might be good at, but most importantly if we get in tune with the art that excites us that will bring in us a sort of feeling that cannot always be expressed in words. It could be a poem, photo or video that we like. It could be dance. It could be instrumental music. It could be simply taking a walk in a trail, a place of architectural marvel, or in the wilderness and observing the beauty around us. No matter what it is, it is something that opens up the heart elements in the brain.

Our world will be calmer and more peaceful if more people spend time studying art and something that opens up the metaphorical third eye.

#metaphor #thirdeye #art #metaphoricalthinking

Writing on the go 

Professional writers dedicate their time fully to writing. However, there are many who have the talent for writing but not ready to plunge into full time writing. For people who have a non-writer profession but with a penchant for writing, there are some practical issues to grapple with.  

How to find the time? What is my muse to inspire me? Am I taking my writing seriously?  

I reflect below on my own writing experiences.  

  1. Write whenever you can: When the urge to write comes up, simply write in the medium available such as a phone notepad app, a journal notebook near your bed, a computer etc. Thanks to the suggestion of a friend, sometimes while taking a stroll, I do a voice recording for a few seconds and save it under a suitable title. These are typically raw but useful material for compiling later or act as inspiration catalysts, akin to what comedians call as “bits”. It is great to have a muse or a cause for writing. When you have that, you will write in full flow. It is not often that a specific muse arises. However, there are moments of inspiration in a given day when a thought comes up. Like a squirrel saving nuts for the winter, even if we reopen some of these recorded bits, it will be worth the effort. 
  1. Have a spot to reflect periodically: For me the new habit is sitting on a weekend morning at a table not in my primary home office. It can be anywhere you feel relaxed in… a spot for words to flow. At the beginning even if you do not write much in that spot, it creates an environment for reflection. 
  1. Read: Many professional writers are readers. Today’s technology allows us to consume information in many media formats. Consume them in whatever format works for you.  
  1. Don’t publish immediately: I used to enjoy posting on the fly. It was exhilarating to do that. However, I learned that mulling over and editing are big a part of writing. So, I save the piece I am writing and let it sit for some time. This gives time for background processing as well. While writing is a creative art – like a river flowing freely, editing is a necessary act of chiseling the art, of fine tuning the thoughts, weeding out unwanted words, if needed checking with a contact before publishing, and adding references etc. 
  1. Blog: Having a blog allows us to share and save our writing. Unless what you are writing has deep IP that you don’t want to post till official, blogging is a good way to get informal feedback. Even if you post on social media platforms, a formal blog will help in the long run and act as material in case you decide to write a book in future. Also, save your writing in a personal location. 
     
    If you are a part-time writer or dabble with it, please share what works for you. 

    #writing #hobbywriting #writingonthego

Write along!

As a hobby writer, I enjoy the moments of flow, when in the zone of writing. Sharing some inspirational lines from a few years ago. To writers out there (part-time, full-time, hobby writers, and everyone in-between) – happy writing! If you are a writer or aspirational writer, do share your experiences.

Write along

The writer writes along.
Fame is not a factor,
nor is the name.
The writer writes along,
for writing is what he likes.

The writer writes along.
Change might come,
or not.
But she writes along,
for writing is her wont.

The writer writes on.
When the moment arrives,
how can the thought be dammed?
So he writes along –
for what else can he do?

She writes and writes.
Sometimes out of a whim,
sometimes out of a drive.
She writes along,
for writing is her game!

#Writing #writingcommunity #musings