Janette Collins's Blog
April 23, 2020
My Tips to shift struggle to writing
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My Tips to shift struggle to writing
Do you really want things to change? I’m asking because there is a scientific reason behind your struggles. It’s called fear. Or I like to refer to it as living in survival mode.
Parts of our brain interprets everything we hear, see, touch, and smell. It seeks out and alerts us of any danger. We know writing isn’t dangerous, don’t we?
Unknown to Known
When we are in survival mode, the safest place for us is the known. It’s why we are drawn to Netflix, reading a good book we haven’t written, eating crisps (chips) on the sofa. We seek everything that brings us comfort and safety.
Writing a book is stepping into the unknown. Logically we know it’s not dangerous, but our survival brain doesn’t yet appreciate that, and it will try to distract us.
Fear of the Unknown.
When we want to try something new, our thoughts can shift from excitement to fear, throwing questions like “who will want to read this rubbish?” “Why would they want to read it?” “You’re wasting your time,” “who do you think you are.”
Before I started writing this blog, I had exactly those thoughts, I had a pounding in my heart, and I nearly gave up. I’m kind of glad I felt the pain because it made me put into practice what I want to share with you.
Understanding the brain energy
I wondered whether I should share this with you, I didn’t want to bog you down with all the science, so I’m only going to bullet point to help you understand why I have suggested the actions below.
* Beta Waves - Survival mode (we are here most of the day).
* Theta Waves - Imagination, Dream state (we shift to theta when we sleep).
* Alpha Waves - Creativity, open to idea’s (we’re often in this state when daydreaming)
* Gamma - High-level performance (limitless, Genius, spiritual awakening)
From the above, our best states for writing are Theta and Alpha Waves. I’m about to share with you tips that help me shift into these states and, more importantly, helped me write my book.
Tips to help shift from struggle to writing
Meditation
Just 5-10 minutes can help you shift your focus from stress to calm. I like to meditate for as long as it takes to clear my mind. I acknowledge all thoughts that pass through, I thank them for bringing it to my attention, and I reassure any fears. I come back to my breathing, focusing only on the clear space in my mind.
Meditation improves intuition if it’s time to write, you will write.
Visualisation
Visualisation is a great way for the unknown to become known. Our brains cannot tell the difference between what we see in our minds from what we see in reality.
I often follow my meditation with a short visualisation.
In the mornings, I visualise a perfect day ahead. Between scenes, I sit with the characters. In the evening, I imagine my life a year from now, three years from now, ten years from now. Try to incorporate all your senses. It makes it all the difference
Top tip, if you’re feeling sad, picture yourself laughing and notice what happens to the side of your mouth.
Binaural beats
You can find binaural beats on YouTube. They are music frequencies bouncing from ear to ear, helping you get into the desired state. I alternate between Theta and Alpha when I write, meditating, and sometimes when I’m putting on my make up.
I have many tips, but these are my daily fav’s. They have increased my productivity. On advantage, I’m writing 1000 words a day. Not forced writing just intuitively, I feel connected to my purpose.
The idea of your book came to you because it want’s to be written, and it want’s to be written by you. I’m excited about your work, and I trust you will deliver for the world to read when the time is right.
My Tips to shift struggle to writing
Do you really want things to change? I’m asking because there is a scientific reason behind your struggles. It’s called fear. Or I like to refer to it as living in survival mode.
Parts of our brain interprets everything we hear, see, touch, and smell. It seeks out and alerts us of any danger. We know writing isn’t dangerous, don’t we?
Unknown to Known
When we are in survival mode, the safest place for us is the known. It’s why we are drawn to Netflix, reading a good book we haven’t written, eating crisps (chips) on the sofa. We seek everything that brings us comfort and safety.
Writing a book is stepping into the unknown. Logically we know it’s not dangerous, but our survival brain doesn’t yet appreciate that, and it will try to distract us.
Fear of the Unknown.
When we want to try something new, our thoughts can shift from excitement to fear, throwing questions like “who will want to read this rubbish?” “Why would they want to read it?” “You’re wasting your time,” “who do you think you are.”
Before I started writing this blog, I had exactly those thoughts, I had a pounding in my heart, and I nearly gave up. I’m kind of glad I felt the pain because it made me put into practice what I want to share with you.
Understanding the brain energy
I wondered whether I should share this with you, I didn’t want to bog you down with all the science, so I’m only going to bullet point to help you understand why I have suggested the actions below.
* Beta Waves - Survival mode (we are here most of the day).
* Theta Waves - Imagination, Dream state (we shift to theta when we sleep).
* Alpha Waves - Creativity, open to idea’s (we’re often in this state when daydreaming)
* Gamma - High-level performance (limitless, Genius, spiritual awakening)
From the above, our best states for writing are Theta and Alpha Waves. I’m about to share with you tips that help me shift into these states and, more importantly, helped me write my book.
Tips to help shift from struggle to writing
Meditation
Just 5-10 minutes can help you shift your focus from stress to calm. I like to meditate for as long as it takes to clear my mind. I acknowledge all thoughts that pass through, I thank them for bringing it to my attention, and I reassure any fears. I come back to my breathing, focusing only on the clear space in my mind.
Meditation improves intuition if it’s time to write, you will write.
Visualisation
Visualisation is a great way for the unknown to become known. Our brains cannot tell the difference between what we see in our minds from what we see in reality.
I often follow my meditation with a short visualisation.
In the mornings, I visualise a perfect day ahead. Between scenes, I sit with the characters. In the evening, I imagine my life a year from now, three years from now, ten years from now. Try to incorporate all your senses. It makes it all the difference
Top tip, if you’re feeling sad, picture yourself laughing and notice what happens to the side of your mouth.
Binaural beats
You can find binaural beats on YouTube. They are music frequencies bouncing from ear to ear, helping you get into the desired state. I alternate between Theta and Alpha when I write, meditating, and sometimes when I’m putting on my make up.
I have many tips, but these are my daily fav’s. They have increased my productivity. On advantage, I’m writing 1000 words a day. Not forced writing just intuitively, I feel connected to my purpose.
The idea of your book came to you because it want’s to be written, and it want’s to be written by you. I’m excited about your work, and I trust you will deliver for the world to read when the time is right.
November 22, 2018
How did you create your characters?
This was such a fun and, initially, daunting process. I only had one clear character and that was Martha. I had to know exactly who she was, because after all the story is centred around her and the death of Jeremy. Whereas, Peter on the other hand developed through the many obstacles and life threatening situations he had to face.
The driver may surprise you, because he was not in the original outline. But now is such a vital and exciting part of the story. I love him and the story would never have been the same without him.
Most of my characters developed there personalities throughout the creative process of writing, I wanted the story to drive their reactions. This often meant getting into the mind of each character to determine how they would respond, and why they would respond in that manor.
If my characters had to be established at the outset I feel as though I would have done Truth in Death an injustice. Letting them grow through the story is pretty much like life it self, as we add to our story everyday.
The process of developing my characters in this way was good for them, having received tremendous feedback. Some characters are loved, some not so much. One person in particular has been referred to as infuriating, and I can understand why.
Writing a novel means you get to spend a lot of time with each characters, and you really do get to know them. So much so I probably know them better than I know my husband.
To learn more about Martha, Peter and the driver pick up your copy of “Truth in death” through Amazon world wide.
Janette Collins
Kindle book https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HX1SZPK
Paperback https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1724186345
Outside of the uk? Replace .co.uk with your local Amazon domain.
The driver may surprise you, because he was not in the original outline. But now is such a vital and exciting part of the story. I love him and the story would never have been the same without him.
Most of my characters developed there personalities throughout the creative process of writing, I wanted the story to drive their reactions. This often meant getting into the mind of each character to determine how they would respond, and why they would respond in that manor.
If my characters had to be established at the outset I feel as though I would have done Truth in Death an injustice. Letting them grow through the story is pretty much like life it self, as we add to our story everyday.
The process of developing my characters in this way was good for them, having received tremendous feedback. Some characters are loved, some not so much. One person in particular has been referred to as infuriating, and I can understand why.
Writing a novel means you get to spend a lot of time with each characters, and you really do get to know them. So much so I probably know them better than I know my husband.
To learn more about Martha, Peter and the driver pick up your copy of “Truth in death” through Amazon world wide.
Janette Collins
Kindle book https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HX1SZPK
Paperback https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1724186345
Outside of the uk? Replace .co.uk with your local Amazon domain.
November 9, 2018
How the shower became my inspiration.
How the shower became my inspiration.
The most common question I’m asked is “how did you come up with the idea for “Truth in Death””. Or people tell me that they would love to write a book but just wouldn’t know where to start. So to help in both cases I want to share with you my secrets, for no other reason than to inspire you.
I have wanted to write for years, I just lacked the confidence. I had my own personal block. Not a writers block, at least not yet, I was simply blocking any form of success due to the fear of failure. It was exhausting, I felt like I was fighting with myself to take action, feeling the need to protecting myself. I knew something had to change, and just admitting that prompted the change I needed to start writing. I made the decision to write for fun, this reduced the pressure, success would have to wait.
A year on and I have a published book, and am going to share with you just how easy it was. Now, I’m not saying it didn’t come without any fear, because it did, but that’s a story for another blog. The inspiration for this particular book all started with a shower.
That’s right you heard me, it started with a shower. I do all my best problem solving in the shower. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m relaxed, or that’s when I do most of my thinking, but whatever it is I’m grateful. If the thought hadn’t popped into my mind I don’t think “Truth in Death” would have been written, and that would have been a shame because it has changed my life.
Janette, you still haven’t really confirmed how the idea came about. You’re right. so, when I was showering I was thinking about all my friends and family, I often think about those I love, and like all thoughts it lead to another. Eventually I came to the realisation that we were all doing things, we perhaps wouldn’t normally, to make those we care about happy. And out of nowhere the thought progressed, “How far would we go?” That was the moment I knew my story would revolve around a people pleaser who would or would not kill, in the name of other people’s happiness.
Creating your own idea’s is easier than you think, look around you there is so much inspiration.
News articles
Intersting objects
What if’s
Pictures
Photo’s
Places
The most amazing thing about creating the idea is just how it develops, giving your idea a purpose by adding beginning and end, till eventually you have your story. Better still as you’re writing you get to be as surprised as your readers, with every twist and turn, as it continues to develop with every word you type.
If you are an inspiring author, give the idea process a try. Find a photo that provokes a feeling, consider what was interesting about that photo. Now add characters, what would someone be doing in that scene? What would you like to see that someone doing in the scene? Share your idea’s in the comments. If you want more tips visit my FB page and ask to be added to my group.
The most important advice I can give you though is to have fun. Writing a book can take time and you spend a lot of it with your characters so enjoy it.
If your not inspiring to be an author and haven’t yet read “Truth in Death” you can purchase it from Amazon world wide.
Kindle book
Paperback
Outside of the uk? Replace .co.uk with your local Amazon domain.
Truth in Death
Truth in Death: Would she really kill to please her friends?
Janette Collins
The most common question I’m asked is “how did you come up with the idea for “Truth in Death””. Or people tell me that they would love to write a book but just wouldn’t know where to start. So to help in both cases I want to share with you my secrets, for no other reason than to inspire you.
I have wanted to write for years, I just lacked the confidence. I had my own personal block. Not a writers block, at least not yet, I was simply blocking any form of success due to the fear of failure. It was exhausting, I felt like I was fighting with myself to take action, feeling the need to protecting myself. I knew something had to change, and just admitting that prompted the change I needed to start writing. I made the decision to write for fun, this reduced the pressure, success would have to wait.
A year on and I have a published book, and am going to share with you just how easy it was. Now, I’m not saying it didn’t come without any fear, because it did, but that’s a story for another blog. The inspiration for this particular book all started with a shower.
That’s right you heard me, it started with a shower. I do all my best problem solving in the shower. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m relaxed, or that’s when I do most of my thinking, but whatever it is I’m grateful. If the thought hadn’t popped into my mind I don’t think “Truth in Death” would have been written, and that would have been a shame because it has changed my life.
Janette, you still haven’t really confirmed how the idea came about. You’re right. so, when I was showering I was thinking about all my friends and family, I often think about those I love, and like all thoughts it lead to another. Eventually I came to the realisation that we were all doing things, we perhaps wouldn’t normally, to make those we care about happy. And out of nowhere the thought progressed, “How far would we go?” That was the moment I knew my story would revolve around a people pleaser who would or would not kill, in the name of other people’s happiness.
Creating your own idea’s is easier than you think, look around you there is so much inspiration.
News articles
Intersting objects
What if’s
Pictures
Photo’s
Places
The most amazing thing about creating the idea is just how it develops, giving your idea a purpose by adding beginning and end, till eventually you have your story. Better still as you’re writing you get to be as surprised as your readers, with every twist and turn, as it continues to develop with every word you type.
If you are an inspiring author, give the idea process a try. Find a photo that provokes a feeling, consider what was interesting about that photo. Now add characters, what would someone be doing in that scene? What would you like to see that someone doing in the scene? Share your idea’s in the comments. If you want more tips visit my FB page and ask to be added to my group.
The most important advice I can give you though is to have fun. Writing a book can take time and you spend a lot of it with your characters so enjoy it.
If your not inspiring to be an author and haven’t yet read “Truth in Death” you can purchase it from Amazon world wide.
Kindle book
Paperback
Outside of the uk? Replace .co.uk with your local Amazon domain.
Truth in Death
Truth in Death: Would she really kill to please her friends?
Janette Collins
