Ask the Author: Anne Samit
Answered Questions (6)
Anne Samit
I'd been posting on my own blog, www.Yoga-Speak.com, for quite some time, and also posting on some others sites, as well, including a mindfulness site and a news site. I've received tremendous feedback from readers, both yogis and non-yogis alike. It seems that what I write about is what a lot of people think about.
It was my daughter who encouraged me to compile my essays into a book. It seemed like a natural progression, although it was never my intention. So, title, Unfold Your Mat, Unfold Yourself, seems apt, because the book itself basically unfolded, too.
It was my daughter who encouraged me to compile my essays into a book. It seemed like a natural progression, although it was never my intention. So, title, Unfold Your Mat, Unfold Yourself, seems apt, because the book itself basically unfolded, too.
Anne Samit
I move. I move to write and then I write to move. My yoga practice does this for me. So, I hope to keep practicing, because I hope to keep writing. I can't seem to do one without the other. I don't know why it takes moving for me to shape and connect my thoughts, but it's hugely cathartic and enlightening to form my essays. To me, they seem to "happen". And that's when I know they are true.
Anne Samit
My book, Unfold Your Mat, Unfold Yourself, is a compilation of essays born of my yoga practice. I thought I would be done writing when the book was published; however, I continue to write and continue to post. You can see some of my new posts on www.Yoga-Speak.com. And I think this is happening because I'm still practicing. More yoga for me means more writing. And the posts are ever more personal, which is a surprise for me as well.
Anne Samit
I would advise aspiring writers to be out in the world, doing and moving. For myself, I can have lots of ideas and lots of thoughts, but I could not express them until I stepped out and moved. For me, it was yoga; but, really, I think any kind of movement will get the words moving, too.
Anne Samit
The best thing about being a writer is having an avenue of expression. Left to myself, I would keep it all in. I learn about myself from my writings, and I even read parts of my book again, so I can learn more! Because once you think you know yourself, something else comes up and you have to get reintroduced. Writing does that for me.
Anne Samit
I only write when I'm inspired. It's simply impossible for me to write on demand. I can't sit down and tell myself to write. The only way the writing is authentic is when I'm inspired.
I actually discuss this in the essay within my book, titled: Space and Time. I really feel that when I am writing from a place of inspiration and honesty, that time disappears. I can write all day in what I think is five minutes.
So, when I sit down to write because I think I have an idea, and I realize it's not getting on the page easily, I don't even try further. I deal with such writer's block by turning off my computer and having trust. Trust that the time will come when it's time to write, when what I have to say will be like painting a picture.
And when I cannot get the ending to my essays to work well, I do the same. I turn off the computer and have faith that another time will shortly arrive when it's the right time, when the ending will come to me. And I'll write it then and get that feeling like none other that it's done.
I actually discuss this in the essay within my book, titled: Space and Time. I really feel that when I am writing from a place of inspiration and honesty, that time disappears. I can write all day in what I think is five minutes.
So, when I sit down to write because I think I have an idea, and I realize it's not getting on the page easily, I don't even try further. I deal with such writer's block by turning off my computer and having trust. Trust that the time will come when it's time to write, when what I have to say will be like painting a picture.
And when I cannot get the ending to my essays to work well, I do the same. I turn off the computer and have faith that another time will shortly arrive when it's the right time, when the ending will come to me. And I'll write it then and get that feeling like none other that it's done.
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