Giant sand dunes, sprawling grasslands, enormous tree covered rock formations jutting open from flat plains, an old middle eastern city with winding alleyways, Tibetan monks removing their boots before running into prayers. The last three weeks have been a whirlwind of travel to so many different areas of China, each of them unique and beautiful in their own way. As I traveled, I kept telling myself, “Remember this! You might need it for a story one day!” And the more I told myself that, the more overwhelmed I became from trying to keep it stored and filed away. Honestly, it briefly stole my travel joy.
However, a voice I’ve been learning to listen to in a new way reminded me of something I’d read and deposited a while back. I know I’ve mentioned his books before, but Steven Pressfield has some wonderful insight In The War of Art, Turning Pro, and The Artist’s Journey. In the latter book, he talks about the Muse again, that voice/spirit/energy (whatever you subscribe to) who knows the story and shares it with you as you go along. With my Christian background, I tend to believe this is the Spirit talking, but don’t get hung up there. As I said, this Muse knows the story she’s sharing with you, the story you’re hearing and in turn sharing with the world around you. And the Muse has access to it all, what you know you know, what you’ve experienced or learned years ago, and what you don’t even know. It’s the middle idea the voice reminded me of. “Look around you. See all the sights. I’ll remind you of them when you need them later.” Damn! I love that! It’s all in this hard drive between my ears and when it’s time to use it for the story, it’ll be brought on screen. It takes the pressure off, I think. Sure, I took pictures and enjoyed all of the sights, tastes, sounds, and most of the smells, but I quit feeling the weight of remembering it all and just allowed myself to experience it.
I’m working on the next book now and had a breakthrough on the trip. As we wandered through the old part of the city in Kashgar, an important location in the story came together and I‘m so excited to explore it when the time comes. But until the time comes, I’ll let it sit on the shelf and I’ll admire it and smile about it. No pressure.
Comments