Writing from within: The inner self

There are many kinds of writing. Working for information technology (IT) business clients for many years, I've had overflow of white papers, technical manuals, courseware, reports, memos, even loads of emails. But I want to talk about a writing that comes from within, dictated by a voice, a writing voice, one that inspires the imagination and frees creativity.

For those who are into writing now, motivations vary – some fantasize about the free-wheeling life of a writer while others dream of becoming rich and famous one day. I lie, if I say I’m not motivated with the same reasons, except I also extend beyond it, for alongside classical music, creative writing is and has always been one of my lifelong passions.

Each of us has a story to tell, a one-of-a-kind experience. The trigger is a voice, our own unique voice. Mine comes from childhood memories, first love, fears, joys and pains, career, anxieties, travel, dreams… the list is endless. What happens when I don't hear this voice? I’m stuck. I can’t write. 

Writer’s block to me are those moments when I grope for words while staring at my computer screen or a blank piece of paper for long. What do I do when this happens? I usually walk up and down. Occasionally, I grab a Crossword or Sudoku puzzle book. Almost always, I pick up my favourite Bible (NIV international version) or one of my favourite sparklers-for-the-mind motivational book whilst listening to Mozart's piano or violin sonatas, or other soothing short music pieces varying from Baroque to Romantic classical composers. It can even be any of my CD collection's chock-full of inspirational songs, or classic guitar Spanish music I grew up with that my mother used to play.   After doing any of these, I go back to free-write, an almost non-stop writing without going back to read what I did. Anything and anything that comes to mind, including joys, pains, impossible dreams, even negative emotions. Why not. Anything to write about until I've scraped and freed up with courage what my voice has wanted to say.

I write with confidence because I trust my inner self. When my inner voice takes over I can write for hours – totally absorbed and having a great time dipping into thoughtful meanderings aided by memories, feelings and creative imagination.

There are other exciting times within my inner self. I'm talking about moments when other voices visit me, when I allow them to take over my writing for a while as they share their thoughts and ideas. They are voices of loved ones and friends or occasionally, people I haven’t actually met but wished I had. Too many of my inspirations from all walks of life. Then I find myself writing thoughts not originally there before. 

Some of my journals...

An on-going activity I’ve practised through the years is keeping a journal. Journaling involves the art of keeping a diary or journal that explores thoughts and feelings surrounding the events of our life. For me, it has been an excellent way of managing my stress to an extent. Perhaps to others, it might even keep from pushing them well into the realm of anxiety. Keeping a journal has helped me fully explore my emotions, release tension, and fully integrate my experiences into my mind, and myself.

Occasionally, I dig for some of my old journals and take time to read them. Visiting down memory lane once in a while puts the past in its proper perspectives, reminding me that life keeps on. We move on. We have to move on. Reviewing these old journals with acceptance keeps me come away alive, invigorated. It's appeasing.  Journals don’t only provide proper perspective. They become a balancing exercise to keep one's sanity intact, to put it bluntly.

Some of my journal entries:

• Put on a piece of a favourite classical music piece that comes to mind and let it lead and shape my writing.
• Copy a favourite poem or passage of writing and interpret it, or write my thoughts about it. 
• Set down a bright idea I've carried around in my head for sometime.    
• Recall an object that used to be important but now gone.
• Write about a challenge or one of the challenges I currently face.
• This last one is interesting. I want to turn my entry journal into a separate scrapbook to hold souvenirs - a picture, ticket stubs, a post card, a dried pressed flower - and write its significance for me.
  

Writing from within is an act of faith. It takes courage and assurance for inner entrapment not readily seen or understood but wanting to be heard. In a sense, it is a relief that I write in silence. All I need to do is be there, be ready, when my voice within nudges.



Note: I originally wrote this piece for On Being a Writer, dated Sept 11, 2010, re-published three years later with slight changes. / Tel


(c)  February 19, 2013. Updated August 10, 2021. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.