This is the script for a meditation on your characters.

Start by finding a comfortable spot to sit. It doesn’t matter where you are or if you’re sitting up straight or slouching. All that matters is that you are comfortable.

Begin with a few deep breaths in and out. Be sure to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.

Now close your eyes.

Focus on your body.

Scan your body for tension, beginning with your feet and ending with your head. As you find areas holding stress, relax your muscles and take a deep breath in before letting it out and moving on.

Breathe in.

And out.

Close your eyes.

Picture yourself as you are now. How are you seated? Are you seated? Imagine your outfit and your hair. The placement of your arms.

Picture what you are seated on.

Is it in good condition or has been well used over the years?

Zoom out a little and picture some of the things near you as you remember them. Imagine the furniture that is close enough for you to touch. The color of the carpet. The paint on the walls.

Go a little further until you have filled in the room.

If you can’t remember everything, that’s okay. Fill it in with your own creativity.

Imagine you have left the room and are now standing outside. What is the weather like? What color is your house or apartment building? What does the yard look like? Are there decorations?

Use your creativity to fill in the blanks.

Now come back to yourself.

Picture your character where you are seated now.

Allow the image in your mind to shift as it needs to. Fill yourself in their shoes. What color is their hair? Their eyes? Their skin? What sort of clothes are they wearing? Are they fidgeting or sitting stoically?

Take a deep breath in and let it out as the image finishes.

Place your characters in their own scene, beginning with the furniture and items they can reach. What does it feel like to sit on their seat?

If they are outside, how does the earth feel beneath their feet?

Allow your mind a moment to create the image as you ease yourself away from your character.

Fill in the rest of the visible scene.

Decide for them what is important to know about and what they will walk past.

At this moment, what do they want?

What do they need?

What do they think of the scene before them?

Does any of it tie into their past?

Think on these questions a little while longer.

Breathe in and out.

Keep your eyes closed and repeat these affirmations:

• I am creative.
• Ideas flow out of me and onto the page.
• I am fearless.
• I pour my heart and soul into my writing and I am proud of it.
• I don’t allow social expectations to dictate how I feel about my writing.
• I feel good about my writing, because I know that I do my best.
• I strive for progress, not perfection.
• I don’t compare myself with others.
• I only compare myself with my past self.
• I am a stronger writer than I was at this time last year.
• I am invincible. I am worthy. I am brilliant.
• I love myself.
• I love my writing.
• I believe in myself.
• I was born to write this story.
• I have an incredible future.

Now open your eyes and when you feel ready, place your hands on your keyboard, or pick up your pen.

Remember to strive for progress, not perfection. Any words or thoughts about your work is progress. And progress is good.

Happy writing, wordnerdigan.

Originally published on August 25, 2021 @ 12:00 pm