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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Summertime and the Writing is Easy


by guest author Kala Ambrose


I’d like to think of myself as a “seasoned” writer, as over the years, I’ve learned that my best work comes when I follow the natural rhythm of the four seasons.  I do my best research in the Fall, like the good student going back to school, my best writing in the Winter, going within and being introspective, my best ideas burst forth in the Spring and become my garden to grow and in the Summer, I enjoy the fruit of my efforts and take some time to play in the sun.

As a born and bred Southern writer, I know all about pacing myself in the heat of summer. I rise early and while enjoying the brilliant colors spilling forth from the dawn, I jot down ideas as they flow through my mind. By mid-afternoon, I surrender to the heat and humidity and find somewhere cool to curl up with a good book and read before drifting off to sleep.  Late at night under the stars and the full moon, I’m refreshed and ready to write again. 

Want to explore writing in harmony with seasons?

Here are Five Tips To Writing in the Summer Season:

1.      Turning Lemons into Lemonade
Often I have ideas that don’t make it into book form, but are great fodder for articles and blog posts. When I have a deadline to write for in the summer, I pull these out and the work is mostly done. I tighten them up and away they go.

2.      A Picture Contained to Only 500 words
I find the photos on Pinterest so invigorating. When I’m looking for some inspiration, I often gaze at a photo that inspires me on an emotional level. After a few minutes, I usually have to reign myself in to only writing 500 words for a blog post.

3.      Step Away from the Desk and Take a Vacation
There’s a reason when students return back to school in the fall, that the first essay they are asked to write is “what I did on summer vacation”. Summer is a time for making memories with family and friends.  These adventures generate a wealth of material to use on cold winter nights.

4.      Meditate to Stimulate
Meditation is a wonderful experience for the mind, body and spirit. The most popular guided meditation CD I created is called Spirit of Hawaii, designed to visualize being at the beach when you can’t get there in person.  As the warm breezes surround you, you relax and before you know it, you’re drifting off to a land of intrigue and adventure. 

5.      Engage in Sensory Overload
Summer to me is warm nights in a convertible under the stars, the delight of a cool breeze breaking the heat before a big storm, the ripe delicious pink color and taste of watermelon at a picnic and eating peaches over vanilla ice cream. I can think back to any summer and remember the waves at the beach, the laughter of friends as we sipped Sangria in the afternoon and the scent of honeysuckle on the vine as my grandmother and I sat rocking in chairs on the front porch.  All of these beautiful sights and sensations are lovingly stored in my creative mind, ready to be shared with others when I write.

Summertime, when the writing is easy and the season is filled with love, light and laughter. Enjoy every moment. 
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Noted wisdom teacher, author, intuitive, inspirational speaker, and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Radio and TV Show (www.ExploreYourSpirit.com), Kala Ambrose's teachings are described as discerning, empowering and inspiring. Kala is the author of four books including the award-winning 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of theMystery Schools Unveiled, GhosthuntingNorth Carolina, The Awakened Aura:Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body and coming September 2012, Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses,Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead