Dirt, Writing, and Channeling
Dirt Starts First
If I keep telling myself I don’t see how dirty things are in my house, the less I care. I focus on reading, writing, watching YouTube videos, and learning stuff.
Dirt is not important and is not particularly on my radar.
I pay attention when one of the cats throws up and will attend to it quickly. I just don’t want to step on it which I have done over the years. Also, it is a hazard to elderly folk who might slip and fall. So, cleaning up piles of throw-up is important. My cats do that. I don’t.
My cleaning is usually done in front of big projects. I’ve got another new one coming up on the 1st of April, where I will clear the decks in my study to concentrate on writing another book for the Spring NaNoWriMo Camp. A month-long writing sprint where you get to choose your own word count goal and blaze away at it. I was going to go modestly and choose 50,000 words. Then, I flung caution to the wind and decided just to aim for 80,000 words.
That would be my most ambitious yet.
I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo off and on since 2000. I’ve worked on at least five projects. Some I’ve won, others I did not. You don’t get a prize when you win at NaNoWriMo writing events. Only about 11% of people who sign up ever meet their goals. But it is a huge boost to anybody’s productivity. You learn to write every day. When you reach your goal and win NaNoWriMo, you get bragging rights and a neato sign of completion that you can print out.
You can also pick whatever you want to write about. Over the years, they’ve relaxed the rules, so continuing to write on an already established project is okay, too. Me? I just like to start fresh. I like to push myself.
I have a project where I am reading “Save the Cat” by Jessica Brody. She talks about the key 15 points to pay attention to in a novel. It’s also one of the courses in the Writers Mastery Academy six-month membership I got from participating in last November’s NaNoWriMo. Twenty-five books about writing and that membership for $18.00 via Humble Bundle.com, a charitable organization specializing in gaming, as far as I can tell. Anyway, that coursework will support whatever I do in April. I might just turn into a plotter rather than the pantser I’ve been all these years.
A Pantser flies forth writing by the seat of their pants with no planning involved.
**Channeling follows. My stuff is in a regular font. Seth gets a bold italics.**
Me: Hey, we haven’t talked in a while here in one of my articles. Do you want to say something?
Who is it you are addressing?
Well, I figured, Seth, but if somebody else wants to talk about writing, I’d be happy for you to talk too.
Let’s just keep it to Seth, then why don’t we?
Hi.
Hello yourself.
I know it seems odd to say hello when we’ve already been talking for a bit.
Well, you go on being polite if you want to.
So, what do you think about me writing a new book?
I wonder about the other five you’ve written and not published yet.
Maybe they are like kids. You bring them up the best you can, but you can never force them into a life. They have to choose. Mine don’t want to leave the nest just yet. I think.
You need to boot them out.
If anybody is wondering where this dialogue is coming from, I feel like I should tell you I am channeling. Seth is my spirit guide, though many other teachers are up there.
Up there? Do we reside in the corners of your room?
It’s sort of figuratively speaking. I don’t know where you are other than being part of the universe, which we don’t generally specifically see every day.
Lots of people think we are in Heaven.
Yes, I used to think that too, except you aren’t dead.
Just naked.
Humorous too.
Yes, that, too.
I put the guide’s part of us talking in bold italics so it’s easier not to get lost.
Tell them what it is like to channel.
It’s like voices in my head, except you make sense. It’s mostly more organized, with less chaos.
Yes, after all these years, had we not made sense, I’m certain Pauline would have booted us to the curb, so to speak.
Funny. Like I could do that.
People think it is possible to renounce all forms of spiritual telepathy.
I could, though I would never, ask you to be quiet and leave me alone for a while. It’s just too entertaining. Also, you help with much of what I do and don’t nag me about keeping a clean house except for hollering, “Oh, happy accident,” when I am forced to clean something.
Like the half gallon of milk that exploded when you dropped it on the kitchen floor oh so many years ago. By the way, Guides do not holler.
Yes, that, too. So, tell me, do you think I would be okay starting writing for April NaNo?
It doesn’t matter what we think. What other projects are you working on?
Well, there are always pieces to write for Medium. Also, I write an article for my WooWoo column over at Pencil Stubs once a month. I need to get one underway. Maybe this afternoon. I’ve gotten used to that being a part of my schedule.
How much time does that take you?
Two days. Maybe three. They are longer than the ones I write at Medium, but the commitment to do them is important. I used to spend more time fretting about them than I do now.
So, is writing getting easier for you?
Yes, I enjoy it. It’s like falling out of bed in the morning and doing stuff.
Sort of like when you used to work every day.
Yes, this is my life as a retired person now.
Can we make a suggestion?
Yes, please.
Why don’t you spend a bit more time with the Runes? I think it would be fun for you. You could do spreads for your characters.
I hadn’t thought of doing that.
Well, I don’t see any clients lining up. But you’ve got other friends in spirit, including your characters.
I have to explain to the readers out there in Medium land that I’m sort of a recluse — by choice. It’s just how my life is. I’m married, but my husband has his own things to do. He’s a writer, an editor, and a historian. I was telling Dennis this morning that one of the benefits of retired life is that you can enjoy the light at whatever time of day it is.
I remember the days in the office when I spent the day catching balls people were throwing at me and putting out fires while I missed the beauty that was outside. I have most of my energy in the morning and early afternoon. Then, at about 3 or 4 in the afternoon, I start to slow down. Usually, that’s when I go to YouTube where I watch either one of my favorite channels or just see what sticks to my fingers.
You might explain the sticky fingers technique.
It’s actually related to the Runes. You dig your hand into the bag of Runes and go with whatever sticks to your fingers. You can tell sometimes just by the shape that a specific Rune keeps coming back to you. If you go rooting around and reject Rune after Rune, the reading you get might not be spot on. It’s like saying go with your gut instinct, and instead of blathering around undecided, you just go with your first choice. It’s a good rule of the universe to move with. It works. Why argue?
Thanks for reading. It’s nice just to have a chat now and again.
The Links: NaNoWriMo — Sign up for the April Event. It’s free. The Summer Camp starts in July. Writing Mastery Academy — It’s $15 a month or $160 a year. Or sign up to do a NaNo and maybe find it in the discounted goodies for participants. Runes — Ralph Blum’s book and set of stones on Amazon. It’s what I use. YouTube Recommendations — Allie and Trent, Hidden Heights Farm, The Old Byrd Farm, The Encouragement Circle. These aren’t all the channels I like, but some of the best ones. My WooWoo Column at PencilStubs.net