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Ready to take memoir writing to the next level?

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Alissa Lukara

In the memoir series I have been writing for this blog, I promised to share what I learned to support you to write and finish your memoir. Now, I have an offering for memoir writers who want to take their writing to the next level.

Write for Real: Writing Memoirs to Heal, Inspire and Transform online class is ready now.

Support your transformational memoir writing. Read more at: http://transformationalwriters.com/writingclasses/

When you enroll, this class helps you:

Get started and stay motivated to complete your memoir with ease
Easily capture your stories that engage your readers
Find out how to write from memory – and how memory works
Gain skills that can shave months or years off writing and revision
Transform doubt, vulnerability and other writing challenges into writing strengths
Learn keys of all good stories: structure, character and scene — and why these simplify memoir writing
Prevent alienating people you write about
Pick up insider tips on what agents and publishers want for today’s market
And much more.

Bonus for the first 10 writers (now only 2 spots left) who register: You receive a Laser Coaching session with me by phone or Skype. Find out about this and the bonuses everyone receives here: http://transformationalwriters.com/writingclasses/

Space is limited and the class starts Thursday, May 16 (by phone and internet).

My Gift to You. You gain my gifts of hindsight. Naomi Judd, the legendary singer/songwriter and best selling author, wrote that my memoir is a “tell it like it is odyssey.” Now, I “tell it like it is” in this memoir writing workshop. I share all I learned in writing, publishing and promoting a powerful, vulnerable memoir — including time-gorging mistakes I made, and how you can prevent them.

Learn the keys that unlock the motivation and skill you need to write — and publish — your memoir at http://transformationalwriters.com/writingclasses/

Serving you to write your transformational story is my passion. The world needs the story you are called to write.

Alissa Lukara

Memoir series #3: How a Commitment to Writing My Memoir Led to a Miracle of Healing

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Alissa Lukara

by Alissa Lukara

When I said yes for real to writing my memoir, a miracle happened.

In the spring of 1998, after 12 years of dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), I had gotten worse. Much worse. In addition to debilitating fatigue and memory loss, I could not write, read, concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time or work even part-time.

One night in late May, I bottomed out. I didn’t think I could go on and wasn’t sure I wanted to.

Nothing that had helped in the past – medical or alternative – helped anymore. All I thought I knew about healing mind, body, spirit had been rendered useless. That night, I gave up, let go, surrendered any sense of control over my healing.

And what unfolded was like a shamanic initiation of dreams and events. One of the seminal events was waking up one morning at 4 a.m. with such anxiety I could not think to do anything else to relieve it, but to write about the anxiety, write from it.

What gushed out was a bold, poetic rant about the “wild woman” in me. In the midst of all that seemed to be falling apart, I couldn’t believe that what was my favorite writing ever (and remains so) poured through me in 20 minutes.

This writing from the soul awakened something in me – hope, a sense that maybe I could go on after all, even if I didn’t know how anymore.

Some days later, I saw a newspaper ad for two spiritual healers offering private sessions and a workshop. A little voice inside encouraged me to sign up.

“When do you feel most alive,” one of the healers, Margaret, asked me in our private session.

“When I write from the fullness of my being,” I said and mentioned both the wild woman writing and the calling to write a memoir about my journey through CFS and dealing with the remaining trauma of childhood abuse.

“Then, what I would prescribe is that you write your own story from your soul,” she said, “…from the larger perspective of ‘This can’t go on, the way people abuse each other and themselves—even those of us who weren’t abused by a family member.’”

I talked about the vulnerabilities I felt around writing such a book, how I couldn’t write it with the limitations of the illness. She offered up a dose of tough love.

One thing she said was that holding the book back, not writing it, even now when it seemed impossible to write, was draining my very life force. Margaret’s words eased past my well-honed resistance and blew me awake.

I could not sleep at all that night. On top of all the CFS symptoms, the pain of a root canal that had become infected arrived, a perfect life metaphor to reflect the depth of pain that surged and pulsed about not writing the book. The perfection of its timing did not escape me.

At 2 a.m., I picked up my journal and wrote about the struggle inside me. And in the course of writing, I stopped running. I made the commitment to write the book. For real.

Even if all my fears about writing it were true. Even if writing it would kill me. Even if I had to write it 15 minutes at a time, which was all the concentration I figured I could muster.

I committed to my heart’s calling and chose life again. I accepted and surrendered to the grace of my life as it was and had been, even with the illness and abuse in it. I said a big “yes” to writing my life story, no matter how challenging my circumstances—past and present.

The next day, I was so sick and in such pain from the tooth, my husband had to drive me to the healing workshop. I threw up in the parking lot six times. Inside, my brain was so fogged, my mind literally could not comprehend what Margaret and her partner, David, were saying. I was having difficulty even sitting up.

So when the time came to do a group healing exercise I could not do, Margaret came over and asked if she could give me a healing instead. I agreed. Gently running her hands over my head and shoulders, she whispered loving, healing words and encouraged me to let go of the illness.

And in that instant, something inside me shifted and released. I inexplicably and miraculously could let go, and grace irrationally and beautifully descended into my life.

I literally felt the illness melt away, down and out of my body in waves of energy. I started sobbing and shared what was happening with the 30 other workshop participants. Everyone held hands and focused on my intention for healing.

And in that short span of time, 12 years of CFS symptoms lifted. I was fully healed.

A few minutes later, overwhelmed again with nausea, I ran to the bathroom and threw up 12 more times. I felt like Linda Blair in The Exorcist, purging illness and past abuse from my body and soul.

The date was June 14.The CFS has never returned. The writing that had poured out at 2 a.m.—12 hours before the healing—turned into the first chapter of the now published memoir: Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul. The “wild woman” writing became part of the book’s climax.

That healing also continued to serve as quite the exclamation point to the veracity of the calling to write my book. Trust me, during the years of writing it, I drew often on the power of that exclamation point for strength and courage to write, especially in those moments I wanted to give up.

And I did it. I followed through. I raised my writer’s voice, no longer silent, to tell the story I’d been afraid to tell. Facing that story, deepening into it through writing, opened me like a fragrant red rose to the core of myself. The act of deep acceptance and surrender involved in answering the calling to share this healing journey has further healed and transformed me in ways I’d almost stopped daring to dream were possible. In writing the memoir, I reclaimed the wholeness inside me and set the spark ablaze.

Now it’s your turn. I love hear from you, too. What stories do you have to share about saying yes to writing a book? Or about the miracles in your life? Have any thoughts/insights on my story? Please leave your comments below and if you are so inclined, please share or like this article on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

My gift to you for commenting and sharing. Every person who comments below will be entered in a drawing for time you comment on a post in this memoir series. The drawing will be held at the end of this 9 part memoir series. What you can win: The winner can send me up to 10 double spaced pages of writing for feedback via email (Offer good for 60 days after winning it).

Want to read parts 1 and 2 of this memoir series? Click on Memoir Writing in the category section in the sidebar to access all the articles.

Alissa Lukara is now as passionate about supporting you to write and share your stories as she is to write her own. Want support to begin — and complete — your memoir or autobiographical novel? Dive in and register here for Alissa Lukara’s online memoir writing course, Write for Real: Writing Memoirs to Heal, Inspire and Transform. Or dip in a toe and register here today for the free eCourse Alissa offers, Write a Book — Transform Lives: 7 Key Stages on the Writer’s Journey. Alissa Lukara, the author of the poetic memoir, Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul, supports you to write, publish and market your memoir, novel or creative nonfiction book through online writing workshops and retreats, writing coaching, developmental editing and speaking.

Posted in Blog, Inspiration, Memoir Writing, Transformational Writing | Tagged acceptance, Alissa Lukara, answering a calling to write, calling to write a memoir, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, commitment to writing a book, commitment to writing a memoir, fear of writing memoir, healing CFS, healing CFS memoir, letting go, miracle, miraculous healing, Riding Grace, saying yes to writing a memoir, surrender, telling my story, Triumph of the Soul, wild woman writing, writing a life story, writing a memoir, writing a memoir for real, writing from fullness of being, writing memoir, writing pain | 12 Comments

Memoir Writing #2: How I Stopped Resisting the Calling to Write a Memoir (and You Can, Too)

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Alissa Lukara

IMG_0072crp by Alissa Lukara

Life always presents compelling reasons for you not to write your book. Time. Responsibilities. Family. Fun. Too much work. Not enough energy. Not enough ability or motivation. Need to earn a living. On and on. Your job as a writer is to say yes, and write your book anyway.

Can’t Write It

From the moment I first knew I wanted to write a memoir to the moment I finished it and all the years in between (*Audible gasp* as I count – 19 years from first moment of wanting to write to the last moment of writing), I spent countless hours wanting to write, then running lists of good reasons why I could not write, finish or publish this memoir: Being in the midst of the story. Dealing with a chronic illness. No time, energy or concentration. What time and energy I did have was used up writing to make an immediate living and in the daily stuff of life and maintaining life and relationships. Okay, one of them was kind of valid. I was still in the midst of the story. Scratch 12 years of the illness and healing journey I was writing about off that 19 years of resistance.

Must Write It

But I say “kind of” valid, because I still knew I wanted to write the book. During that 12 years of dealing with illness, I kept those many journals and notes about the experiences. And I actively avoided writing the book, bargained about what else I might write and started, then abandoned other, less daunting, creative writing projects.

That knowing I wanted to write a memoir, that initial blip of a dream had planted and rooted itself. Over the years, it had grown into a full blown, multi-layered calling to write. I no longer just wanted, I had to write the book. I knew it was part of what I had come here to do in this life. To live and share this story.

Resisting Writing It

I also knew in my heart I was resisting writing that book. Soul quaking terrified to write a book that revealed the vulnerability of illness and abuse and revealed the family secrets I had been told I’d be killed if I told — and to bring the memoir out into the world. It didn’t matter to my inner psyche that I was no longer in real physical danger. The survival part of me that had kept me alive as a child was doing its darndest to keep me safe as an adult, too – and to it, that meant not writing.

“Most of us have two lives,” Steven Pressfield wrote in his brilliant book on overcoming creative blocks, The War of Art, “The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.”

Even as I worked mind, body and spirit to transform that resistance to writing on my own and with the support of therapists and spiritual healers, that energy inside of not writing the memoir grew piercing, creativity draining tentacles and a chorus of “can’t, won’t, shouldn’t” voices. In a recent interview, psychologist and author, Brene Brown, said “Unused creativity is not benign. It metasticizes.” And mine had.

Writing It

What shifted? My “yes” to writing my memoir grew legs. What had rooted grew legs and walked, ran, danced and stumbled its way down that path to write a book. But it started with a big yes, a firm yes, a committed “I do” yes.

It’s not that the resistance went away. It lurked in the background, ready to insinuate itself any time I unintentionally left a millimeter for it to gain a toehold. But I had married that yes in sickness and in health, Until death do us part. So I sat in my chair at my desk day after day after day and wrote and rewrote the memoir, then revised, cut and rewrote it some more.

Here’s a piece of that “yes.” I wrote this at 2 a.m. on the night of my big, honking yes to writing my memoir, my angelic choir of a yes. They became the first lines of the first chapter of Riding Grace.

“Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t want to write this book. I’ve been running away from writing it for years. My own story. I’m afraid to write it. Almost as afraid as I was when it happened. But I can’t run away anymore. Not because of any high and mighty reason, but simply because the pain of not writing it has grown bigger than the pain of writing it….”

So tonight. This very night before God, I commit myself to stop running, to stop bargaining with God about what else I might write about—and to tell this story. All of it that needs to be told….

Twelve hours later, I had a complete healing of the CFS in a healing workshop with two energy healers.

But more on that momentous event in article #3 of this 9 part series on writing my memoir. (In case you missed number one, you can access it here.

Now I want to hear from you. What do you allow to get in the way of writing? How does your resistance to writing show up. And how do you move past it? What resistance-busters can you share that allowed you – and may inspire others – to belt out their yes to writing a book. Please leave your comments below and if you are so inclined, please share or like this article on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

About Alissa Lukara. Want support to begin — and complete — your memoir or novel? Dive in and here for Alissa Lukara’s online memoir writing class, Write for Real: Writing Memoirs to Heal, Inspire and Transform. Or dip in a toe and register here for the free eCourse Alissa offers, Write a Book — Transform Lives: 7 Key Stages on the Writer’s Journey. Alissa Lukara, the author of the poetic memoir, Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul, supports you to write, publish and market your memoir, novel or creative nonfiction book through online writing workshops and retreats, writing coaching, developmental editing and speaking.

Posted in Blog, Memoir Writing, Writing Challenges | Tagged Alissa Lukara, Brene Brown, calling to write, calling to write a book, calling to write a memoir, resistance to writing a book, resistance to writing a memoir, resisting writing, resisting writing a memoir, say yes to writing a book, say yes to writing a memoir, Steven Pressfield, time to write a memoir, unexpressed creativity, write a book, writing a memoir, writing vulnerability | 6 Comments

Time Tango 2013: Create Time to Write at a Free Teleclass

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Alissa Lukara

TangoGraphic Want to create a new relationship with time for your creative writing? “Time Tango 2013″ is a fun, free teleclass Thursday, April 18 where you’ll use art and writing to create the new time in your life that you crave. A year ago, I participated in the blog tour for Marney Makridakis’ best selling book Creating Time and I’m excited to share this special one-year anniversary event! Click to Sign up here.

I’ve participated in Marney’s teleclasses before and they are a blast and full of useful, heart-full content for writers and artists. She’s great at sparking creativity whatever she does.

And to look at the article posting from that blog tour, click to read Who Else Wants to Create More Time to Write? It offers 3 audacious ways to approach time for your creative expression.

Posted in Inspiration | Leave a comment

Memoir Writing #1: How a White Horse Helped Me Write My Memoir – The Universe Responds to My Yes

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Alissa Lukara

by Alissa Lukara

(c) 2013 Eugenia Talbott at Talbott Studios

Early on my journey to write a memoir, when I did not yet know how to write one, one of the first lessons I learned was this:

When you recognize and say yes to the call to write a memoir, the universe – the divine – responds and sends you the support you need to write it.

No matter how meager your “yes” is to write a memoir, no matter that the time is not yet right, no matter how afraid or vulnerable the writing makes you feel, no matter whether or not you know how to write a memoir or have the talent to write your story, your whisper of a yes, your unspoken, but “authentic heart desire to write of a yes, your mumble of a yes, your hope to share what you learned and be of service of a yes – that yes is enough to unleash the creative power of forces seen and unseen. They will support you in any myriad of ways to see you through the process of starting, writing and completing your book.

The Universe Responds

That response from the universe to your yes to write your memoir (or novel or other form) may come as a surprise. It may not come in the form you expect, in accordance with your agenda for it, in a step-by-step writing manual or in the time frame you want it to happen. It may not, will not keep you planted in your comfort zone. Instead, it may propel you in starts and stops, in baby steps and grand leaps, while lost in mazes and navigating on clear paths.

When I first revealed a shimmer of a yes to write my memoir, Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul, one of the first supports for my creative expression arrived in the form of a white horse, a spirit horse.

“I see a beautiful white horse with a flowing mane, almost unicorn-like, on your right side,” a spiritual healer I had started working with two years into my journey to heal CFS and childhood abuse issues said to me. I had told her about my desire to write a memoir about the healing and transformation taking place. But this healer had no idea that in the first months of the illness journey, the image of the white horse had already come to me in a meditation, specifically as a symbol of my creative writing. I had bought a white horse statue and placed it and photographs and drawings of white horses by my writing desk.

“The horse has to do with your imagination,” the healer continued. “When you want to launch your writing, call this energy forth. The white horse helps bring forth archetypal awareness, the interplay of characters and creative symbology. Sit on the horse and hold it lightly with one hand. There’s no need for a saddle, bridle or reins. The horse is an aspect of your beingness that wishes only to speed your progress, to bring the unlimited into the limited. Ride it with total love and faith. It can take you anywhere you want to go.”

Even though I had been a freelance writer before I had to stop of the CFS, I explained to the healer that I had had no concentration or energy to write or do much of anything other than seek healing since CFS had come into my life. She assured me that writing remained important to my fulfillment,, that I would write again and be called upon to speak.

The White Horse as Writing Ally

With the impetus of this healing session, I called in the white horse before I wrote and found it helped me shift from every day consciousness into creative consciousness. My commitment to say yes to write the memoir grew. I began writing 15 minutes each day, which was all the concentration I had, about the events I hoped would become the memoir about the healing journey. A couple months into the process, though, writing about abuse memories and illness left me feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. I was still too much in the throes of my healing process. I was in the story with no healing or end in sight. Even though I had said yes, even though I wanted to write, I did not yet have the distance from my subject matter, let alone the energy, to write the book.

Instead, with the white horse as my creative ally, I kept my yes, my intention to write the memoir tucked in my heart and honored that yes the best I could. Knowing now in my deep heart that I would someday write the memoir, I recorded my healing process on a recorder. It was like a “spoken” journal I would use when I was ready to begin writing. Continuing to call on the white horse for support, I also wrote in a journal about my healing experiences without thought to editing or form.

This process allowed me to capture the emotions of situations and experiences, the conversations, the spiritual and psychological insights, the physical details of place and time, the dreams. This also allowed catharsis and immediacy of expression. I had no pressure to craft what I wrote into scenes, to edit or revise and rewrite, or to make the choices of what to show and what to leave out that are involved in creating a book. And in those moments, I also knew that no one else would read what I wrote.

Again and again, I had to give up my agenda and fantasy of what saying yes to writing a memoir would look and feel like and do what I could do in the moment.

And seeing those images of the white horse on my desk, feeling the energy of the spirit animal, reminded me daily of my creative intention, helped me tap into my creative expression even if I was not yet “writing” my memoir. Over the years, it helped amp the volume of that initial, barely audible “Yes, I’d like to write about my experience, to tell my story,” to a full blown, megaphone of a yes, a true calling.

Ready to Say Yes to Writing?

What about you?

What unexpected inner and outer supports have shown up for you to help you hold the vision and intention to write your book? What spirit or human allies or symbols of your creativity?

Have you, too, said yes to your book, to your memoir (or novel) –in some tangible way that has meaning for you? Or yes, to whatever you are called to do in your life?

Do it now. Say it out loud. Yes. Let it vibrate to your core and send its ripples out into the universe to open the pathways for the support you need, your version of the white horse, to write and complete your memoir or novel.

Get on its wide back, throw your arms in the air and ride like the wind.

I would love to hear what support has shown up for you when you have said yes to your memoir or other writing projects. It doesn’t matter if you have completed your book yet – or even started writing. These supports often serve as reminders of our callings as writers, too.

Please share them here, in the comment section (who knows whom else you will inspire) – or share any response you have to this article. If you don’t want to share in public, feel free to email your comments to me.

And if you like this article, I would greatly appreciate if you would like or share it on Facebook or tweet it, pin it, email it to writer friends.

A Note about Alissa’s Synchronicity with the White Horse Painting – and the Start of a Memoir Writing Series. My story does not end there. The arrival of the beautiful horse image that graces this article turned out to be another sign to me that the universe does respond when you say yes to writing. Just like the healer in the story above had no idea the white horse had any meaning to me when she mentioned it in our healing session, neither did Eugenia Talbott, the artist, know the white horse had special meaning to me when she sent me the painting for possible inclusion on the Transformational Writers blog.

I love synchronicities like that. Her painting inspired this blog posting. (Read more about Eugenia’s art below.)

Writing it has now inspired me to write a memoir series on my experience (and lessons learned) of starting, writing and publishing my memoir that can help you on your journey to write a memoir, novel or creative nonfiction book. Look for those postings over the coming weeks.

And…you asked for it….I listened. I am also launching an online memoir writing course, Writing for Real: Writing Memoirs To Heal, Inspire and Transform. (Email Alissa at write (@) transformationalwriters.com to find out more about this workshop that begins April 17, 2013. Link goes live later this week. )

About Alissa Lukara. Want support to begin — and complete — your memoir or novel? Dive in and here for Alissa Lukara’s online memoir writing class, Write for Real: Writing Memoirs to Heal, Inspire and Transform. Or dip in a toe and register here for the free eCourse Alissa offers, Write a Book — Transform Lives: 7 Key Stages on the Writer’s Journey. Alissa Lukara, the author of the poetic memoir, Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul, supports you to write, publish and market your memoir, novel or creative nonfiction book through online writing workshops and retreats, writing coaching, developmental editing and speaking.

About the Painting. I send a shout out of gratitude to Eugenia Talbott, a talented artist and writer (who recently completed her novel, Exotic Calls) for sending me this painting of a white horse, a stallion. Eugenia is a local creative colleague and part of the Transformational Writers community. To explore more of Eugenia’s gorgeous fine art paintings, including many of wild and domestic animals. visit her artist website, http://www.TalbottStudios.com.

A portion of this article is adapted from Alissa Lukara’s memoir, Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul.

Posted in Blog, Inspiration, Memoir Writing | Tagged Alissa Lukara, call to write, creative ally, creative intention, Eugenia Talbott, how to write a memoir, intention to write, memoir writing, Riding Grace, say yes to writing, say yes to writing memoir, support to write memoir, white horse painting, white horse symbol, write a book, write a memoir, writing a healing memoir, writing memoir, writing memoir about healing, writing to heal | 6 Comments

Surefire Tips to Inspire You to Start Writing – Woody Allen’s Creative Secret and More

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Alissa Lukara

Image courtesy of Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

by Alissa Lukara

When you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to write about in your next novel or memoir, where do you look for inspiration? How do you decide on your book’s subject matter, events or the exact time period?

Be open to clues and hints of inspiration wherever they beckon and tap you on the shoulder. Those bits and piece can serve up a rough framework if you let them.

Here are five ways to fire up your inspiration with the ideas that have enough creative sizzle to carry you through to your book’s completion – including one from filmmaker Woody Allen.

1. Woody Allen’s Inspiration Secret. Take this inspiration from the prolific Woody Allen, whose PBS documentary about his creative process is a gem. Even in the midst of creating whatever his present movie is, he is already seeding the inspiration for his next one. He may not be writing it. But he does keep an “idea drawer” – notes of what tweaks his interest throughout the year. He doesn’t analyze why; he just knows it does.

Woody writes whatever ideas, phrases, images, conversations attract him in the moment down on scraps of paper, on napkins, anything and puts them in his bedside drawer. He forgets about them – until he’s ready to start a new screenplay. Then, he spreads out all those bits of paper on the bed, sifts through them, looks at them, thinks about them and waits for one or more to get him started. He waits for the ones that spark additional ideas.

It is from these seemingly random notes of what he knew drew him that his next screenplay arises. They might lead to a scene or an idea or dialogue between two characters and then another and another and pretty soon, he has another screenplay.

What about you? What hints about your novel or memoir have you noted to spark your creative flame you when you sit down to start your book?

2. A picture or a painting. Maybe you have a picture in your mind that haunts you. Or you see a literal photograph – from your own albums or one you see in a magazine or gallery – or a painting. Hold it in your mind’s eye. Put it up on a wall or keep it by your creative writing desk. Make a screensaver out of it. Write the story it tells you.

3. A conversation. Perhaps you overheard a conversation (carry a notebook and jot it down) that touched your creative self. Or, if you’re writing memoir, you keep remembering certain dramatic or poignant conversations between you and one of the people you might be writing about, or between two members of your family. Write them down – even in note form. Even if you’re not ready to write them, keep the rough notes in a journal or your own version of Woodie’s inspiration drawer, a box, folder or envelope.

4. Dreams. Keep a dream journal by your bed to capture ideas and images that strike you from your dreams. Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series arose from a vivid dream of an intense conversation between an average girl and a handsome vampire in a meadow in the woods. She had never written anything but a few chapters of stories before that.

5. Scenes. Maybe a scene pops into your mind of a real or imagined place. If you are writing a novel, what do you imagine happened there?

If you are writing a memoir, perhaps you are clear about one scene that needs to be in it. Jot down notes about it to develop now or later. Keep the notes and scene ideas together in one place and start to build on them. When you’re ready to write, read them over (or pick one at random), drop into the present moment and let yourself sense the energy of which one is most ready to be written. Then, write it. Flush the scene or dialogue out with action and physical and sensory description.

Let your book speak to you through these hints from your creative source that you have recorded, these pieces that beckoned you in the moment and now point the way for you to write your book. If you trust these inspired clues, your book will emerge, moment by moment, word by word.

I love to hear from you. Please post your comments below. Share what inspires you or tips from other writers and artists. And if you like this, please share it on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Want support to begin — and complete — your memoir or novel? Explore your call to write by registering here for the free eCourse, Write Your Book — Transform Lives: 7 Key Stages on the Writer’s Journey. Registering for it automatically subscribes you to Transformational Writers updates and articles with Alissa Lukara. Alissa Lukara, the author of the memoir, Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul, supports you to start, complete and publish your books through online writing workshops and retreats, writing coaching, editing and speaking.

Posted in Blog, Inspiration, Writing Motivation | Tagged get started writing, inspiration to start writing, inspired to write, start a memoir, start a novel, start writing, Woody Allen, Woody Allen's writing process | 2 Comments

One Simple Step to Shift Writing Overwhelm Into Writing Ease

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Alissa Lukara

by Alissa Lukara

When you sit down to start writing a book, are you able to jump right in and catch the stream or words or does the whole task feel daunting? Or, let’s say you’ve already written part of the book and need to reengage with it after a hiatus from writing. Does the prospect bring joy or do you find yourself avoiding it? In either case, do you feel overwhelmed or downright panicky about beginning (again), doubting you can complete what you have begun?

Most writers have probably felt at least some combination of those extremes.

Including me. After taking several months off from writing due to the medical odyssey, I experienced a variation of this as I came back to writing my novel. I would pass by the three-ring binder of hundreds of pages I had already written and printed out, think about all those computer files of chapter bits they represented that needed to be revised and filled out, expanded, and thought, Now what? Can I reengage with this book?

Here is one simple step I used that I have learned over my years of writing. I mentioned it in my last post. But put into further action as I explain below, it guarantees I will stop drowning in doubt and ride the wave back to land on the shore of my writing project:

1. Bring yourself back to the present moment. Whenever you are feeling overwhelmed, panicky or any extreme feeling, negative or positive, you have fallen into the past of what you experienced “back then” as a writer. You know those “back then” stories — those missteps or past writer’s blocks or writing/publishing gone wrong experiences you use to flog yourself.

And while it can sometimes be helpful to remember past writing successes you can build upon, they can serve as distractions when you are trying to get going on your present writing project. Pondering those past raving writing successes or long gone periods of effortless creative flow too often can keep you out of sync with where you need to be now to write whatever you need to write today. (Especially when you end up worrying that will never be able to repeat them).

If you’re not in the past, you may have projected into the fantasized future of your book. The Looming Questions: Will the book be a success or not? Will I finish it or not? Will it be published – or not? Will anyone want to read it or even notice it amongst the bevy of new books each year?

Listen up. None of these – I repeat, none of these are worthy topics for rumination when you sit down to write.

They’re one of an infinite number of ruses by your ego to protect you, to support you in staying in the writing safe zone, no matter now unproductive or unpleasant that zone is.

The writing safe zone overflows with the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of anticipated writing horror or glory that keep you from than taking the risk of facing the unknown, the seeming black hole of the present moment of your writing.

Trust me, I know. I’ve been there. And more than likely, I’ll slip slide my way there again. I just know not to stay there as soon as I realize where I’ve detoured.

Racing to the future or rehashing the past of writing experiences does not help you write your book in the present moment. Not when you sit in front of your computer or with a notebook and writing implement in hand. Not when you take a walk in the park or a shower, have a great idea, but use a negative past experience or fear to talk yourself out of writing it down and exploring it. Not when you are lying in bed awake at 3 a.m., in overload because of all that is involved in having a writing career today, then can’t write the next morning because you’ve deflated yourself.

So next time you feel any of those negative feelings (or potentially distracting super hero(ine) fantasies of writing glory) , stop them cold by naming them as the creativity zappers they are and come back into the present moment. Then rest there, listen to what arises and say yes.

And know this: The only truly safe and helpful place for a writer is that place of opening to the unknown of the present. This is where your true north of writing lies.

That unknown may look or feel like a bottomless black hole.

But I have one thing to say: Jump, sweet writer. Jump. Because that’s where the stream of words waits – and waits – and waits – and will continue to wait, while you take the long way to get back home to them.

I love to hear from you. What do you think of this suggestion to deal with writing overwhelm? What others do you want to add? Please add your comments below. And if you like this, please share it on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you.

Want support to begin — and complete — your book? The next session of Writing Books that Transform Lives online workshop starts next week. Reserve your spot here. Or, explore your call to write by registering here for the free eCourse, Write Your Book — Transform Lives: 7 Key Steps on the Writer’s Journey. Registering for it automatically subscribes you to Transformational Writers updates with Alissa Lukara. Alissa Lukara, the author of the memoir, Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul, supports you to start and complete your books through online writing workshops and retreats, writing coaching, editing and speaking.

Posted in Blog, Inspiration, Writing Challenges, Writing Motivation | Tagged present moment, present moment writing, writing a book, writing ease, writing future, writing overwhelm, writing past, writing success | 2 Comments

Four Key Steps I Take to Begin My Writing Day

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Alissa Lukara

by Alissa Lukara

Photo by Alissa Lukara

I learned so much during my dive into “being” on my medical odyssey these last 3 months, much of which relates to how I want to approach my own creative writing. I opened to profound lessons in being, surrender, letting go, staying present, trust, listening and receiving, and more that apply not only to my life, but also to how I write a book, a poem, an article, a blog post, essay or anything else.

Here are four key steps to how I now begin each writing day, integrating the lessons and gifts I received during my mind/body/spirit healing journey. Feel free to draw from any for your own writing.

Each day as I renew my “yes” to writing and to serve love in my writing, I make these four conscious choices:

1. I let go of all I know about writing.

Of how writing has to look or feel.

Of any and all shoulds. Of what or how or how much and when I should be writing or what I should be doing instead of writing.

Of what I think my life has to look like or include or not include for writing to happen.

Of efforting and struggle to write.

Of how I perceive my writing was in the past and will be in the future.

Of what it takes to be a professional writer today.

Of any attachments and stories I tell myself around writing.

2. I Surrender.

I surrender the novel (or anything else) I am writing into the hands of the divine, the muse, creative source.

I surrender the characters, the subject matter, the scene, the topic, the theme, the plot, each page, paragraph, sentence, word.

I surrender my present image of my writer self and open to new potentials.

I surrender any doubts and fears and emotions around writing.

I surrender all writing successes and failures from the past and projections of writing successes or failures in the future.

I surrender all concepts of what needs to be accomplished and in what time frame.

I surrender how I think I need to write my book, what method I need to use, even where I need to start writing that day.

I surrender all I think I know about the state of the publishing industry and what is required to be published or to self-publish.

I surrender all judgments and opinions of what good writing is and how it needs to happen and forgive myself for all mistaken beliefs and identifications around writing.

I surrender to the call to write this novel and be the vehicle for its manifestation.

3. I Forgive Myself:

For any and all mistaken beliefs or identities around writing.

4. I Stay Present and Trust:

I am grateful that each time I sit down to write is new, a new beginning.

Emptied, I welcome the spaciousness and the grace available in the present.

I become one with the present.

I rest in the stillness.

I rest in the arms of the divine, the muse, the writing guides and the creative source.

I trust in the silent awareness.

I listen to the spaces between and beyond the mind chatter.

Heart open, I receive and write what emerges from the stillness.

I express gratitude for the words and writing guidance I receive.

What about you? What do you think of this new approach to writing? I’d love to hear about yours, too. Please leave your comments and share your own experiences in the comment section of the blog post.

Want support to begin — and complete — your book? Explore your call to write by registering here for the free eCourse, Write Your Book — Transform Lives: 7 Key Steps on the Writer’s Journey. Registering for it automatically subscribes you to Transformational Writers updates with Alissa Lukara. Alissa Lukara, the author of the memoir, Riding Grace: A Triumph of the Soul, also supports you to start and complete your books in her online writing workshop, Writing Books that Transform Lives. Reserve your spot here for the next session of Writing Books that Transform Lives.

Posted in Blog, Transformational Writing, Writing Craft, Writing Motivation | Tagged begin writing, being present, healing journey, how to begin writing, letting go, mind body spirit healing, staying present, surrender, surrender to creative, surrender to the divine, surrender writing, trust, writing day | 6 Comments

I’m back. Read what happened…

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Alissa Lukara

I wrote in my post that I’ve been on a grand medical odyssey. That mind/body/spirit journey took me away from writing, teaching, working with clients and much of “life as I know it,” starting in late October until now.

The good news: The surgery was successful, and I am very much on the mend. I am grateful to let you know I am returning to offer writing workshops, writing coaching and regular posts on the Transformational Writers blog. I look forward to supporting you in your writing – and to getting back to my own, too.

I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude for all your prayers, emails and tweets of love and healing support, the Reiki and other energy healing sent my way, nourishing meals dropped by, and lovely offers to run errands. I remain deeply touched and know each in its own way has contributed to the profound healings that unfolded. Thank you.

In my next post, I share some of how the lessons I learned during the medical odyssey now impact how I approach writing.

Happy writing, Alissa Lukara

Meanwhile, I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments below.

Posted in Blog, Writing Challenges | Leave a comment

Why You Haven’t Heard From Me

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Alissa Lukara

You may be wondering what’s happened to me and to the Transformational Writer’s blog
updates and workshops. Well, life happened… And instead of writing anything or
working with writers, I have been on an unexpected medical odyssey for the last 5
plus weeks (since the last week in October).

What Happened

My journey began with a week long “food poisoning” misdiagnosis that turned out
instead to be a perforated appendix. Thankfully, a contained abscess had formed
around it (a miracle) or I would have experienced an even more challenging recovery
( I am told, I might have died). As it is, I spent 5 days in the hospital having the
infection treated, then 5 more days of extensive treatments at home. I continue to
recover, but am dealing with fatigue, little concentration or stamina. Until this
week, I could not even read a book.

There’s an added piece to this. I have to go back to the hospital for the actual
laparoscopic appendectomy on December 17. And from what the surgeon has explained, I
will most likely not be able to return to writing, editing and coaching or a daily
“outer” life routine until mid-January.

My husband, family and friends — and a number of you — have been an amazing and a
great support. And then, there are those deep healing life lessons.

The Healing Lessons So Far

Not surprisingly, I have daily opportunities to surrender to what is and let go of
expectations and thinking I know anything. I have a daily practice for gratitude, to
remember to live this medical and life journey moment to moment with awareness, to
listen for the promptings of the universe and of spirit.

And for me, the main purpose of any life altering journey is always to open my heart
ever wider to love. I know more will unfold, but for the present, the call is to
rest. It’s been an astonishing revisiting and deepening of much that I wrote about
in the healing journey I presented in my memoir, Riding Grace.What’s Next

What this means for Transformational Writers for now is that I, the blog and
workshops are “on hiatus” until I am recovered. I do plan to resume workshops and
coaching/editing in mid-January and was so excited to be in the process of creating
a selection of new workshops and offerings to support you in your writing journey –
before my life took brush with the unexpected.

Please know that I miss being in contact with all of you, your writing and sharing
the writing journey and wish you all well with your own journeys of writing,
healing, living and loving. If you need a bit of inspiration, I encourage you to go
back and revisit some of the blog postings and other materials you have received
from me for motivation and support.

I also wish you a blessed and beautiful holiday season. I am so grateful to each of
you for your creativity that inspires me daily, your interest and support of
Transformational Writers and all you do to shine your light in the world.

December 2012 has been touted for years as a pivotal time of monumental growth and
change — and it certainly is for me — in the most unanticipated way. I await
life’s “instructions.” Meanwhile, if you are so moved or inclined, I lovingly accept
and appreciate your healing thoughts and prayers for me at this time.

Blessings on the journey,
Alissa Lukara

Posted in Blog | 5 Comments

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