Ok, I'm going to do something we writers are warned not to do. Don't tell my alter-ego. You know him: the "sensible/responsible/always-do-the-proper-thing" guy. As writers we have to get past the "pretend writer" stage. That means we write. Obviously. Sometimes we write brilliantly. More often we don't. But, (sigh) we write.

So, here's the thing I'm not supposed to do. I'm going to share with you some of my writing that is not supposed to be shared with anyone. Gasp! No.don't do it, Tom! Too late. You see, right now I am engaging in that completely practical and useful exercise of writing for writing's sake. I don't know what's coming next. I'm making it up as I go along. Why it took me so long to discover that this is an important exercise is still a bit of a mystery to me. There's a pretty good correlation to the pitiful output of actual writing over the years that bears witness to my thick-headedness.

Finally, one day, I just realized that if I opened up the word processor and started writing anything at all that at the very least I was getting something out. Amazing! Hey-la, I was writing! After the initial buzz of this wore off I discovered that I should frequently return to my "ramblings.doc" file and bang away. Especially on those days when nothing else I've attempted to write is going anywhere. Writer's block is really just fear of seeing how utterly awful the words that get typed will turn out to be. Which is why you certainly should have your own "ramblings.doc" file to write, write, write. Who cares what's there? It doesn't have to be shared with anyone. Unless you want to break that rule we've been told about. The one that warns against sharing the inane ramblings you write just to get the juices flowing.

I'm only doing this because it might help you discover the benefit of that secret place where you can go without reproach or repercussion. No editor, no reader. Freedom to be you, baring your soul and standing unashamed in naked typeface. And should you get a few nuggets that make it into your "real" writing then shout thanks and give praise.

Copyright 2003 Tom Gilbert

Tom Gilbert is a writer, thinker and webservant for www.livingthesolution.com, a web site dedicated to finding real answers to real life challenges. See it for resources that can grow your faith, prayer life and improve your relationship to God and others. Get the Seven Tips For Solution Living free when you signup for the free E-zine.

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