At a recent Words Away Zalon, Words In Action, I talked to Kellie Jackson about mindfulness in relation to creativity, writing and publishing. Mindfulness covers a wide range of ideas and practices, and in 2021 I plan on blogging about specific topics that might have a bearing on our writing. 

At the Zalon I mentioned the idea of the monkey mind, or the loop of mental chatter that creates negativities that undermine our work: doubts, resentments, imposter syndrome. That monkey mind just needs to shut up, really!

Though that’s easier said than done. We can try meditation (more on that another time), but there are also simple writing practices that can ground us in mindful ways: present; clear, authentic.

Something that I suggested at the Zalon was to write the acknowledgements for the book you are writing now, before you finish (or even start!) writing that book.

This seems quite fanciful, but in fact I think it could be really grounding as well as affirming.

I was inspired to suggest this by reading the acknowledgements in the recently published novel The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr. So recently published I’ve not yet had chance to read the book! But – like the good publisher I’ll always be at heart – the first thing I looked at was its acknowledgements section. And these acknowledgements are long! And very beautiful: ten pages of names and recognitions and reasons to be thankful. Family, friends, teachers, writers, singers, artists, professionals, supporters of all types.

Let me share the gorgeous credit he gives to St Toni (Morrison):

It was my dream for you to read this book, believe that it has merit, offer your blessing, and perhaps invite me for a cup of tea at your house so that I could tell you how without you, this book could not have been because it was your holy scripture, your complete indictment and rearrangement of the English language that inspired me to write it. You said if I couldn’t find the book I wanted to read, then I must write it. So I did. Wherever you are in the universe, it is my sincerest hope that you are pleased.

(I do love that idea of writing the book you want to read. It’s powerful.)

Writing acknowledgements is a bit like that practice of writing lists of gratitudes, though here I see subtle distinctions in some of the additional meanings of the word acknowledge: ‘to recognise the importance or quality of’, ‘to recognise as true, genuine, valid, or one’s own’.

I am also reminded of an exercise I once did at Naropa where we drew a constellation of influences on our writing like a star chart.

So as a writing experiment: give yourself half an hour and sit down at your computer or notebook and think of all the people who’ve inspired you or given you support in your path of writing in some important or quality way. People you know, people you’ve never met, people who’ve been true, genuine, valid, and one of your own. Acknowledge them.