The mindful writer

The “mindful writer” can keep a novel or nonfiction work on track while minimizing the great consumers of time: writer’s block and rewrites.

Mindfulness is a practice, not a sweat session. Over weeks and months, you can train you mind to better focus on purpose, the reader, Point Of View, story arcs, and plot.

Mindfulness of PURPOSE

In fiction or nonfiction…

Will what I’m writing inform, entertain, or inspire the reader? — or does it have a different purpose?
How will my wring accomplish that purpose?

Mindfulness of THE READER

In fiction or nonfiction…

Is the first page certain to engage3 the reader?
Is my author’s voice clear and compelling?
Where might I show – using active verbs – rather than telling in a passive voice?

Mindfulness of POINT OF VIEW

In fiction…

At the beginning of the story, what was the POV character’s greatest need?
In the scene you’re writing, what does the POV character want?
What obstacles are in the way?

Mindfulness of STORY ARCS

In fiction…

Which events of this novel transform the central character, between the first scene and the last?
In which ways do other characters experience change?
Which events and interactions trigger the most significant changes?

Mindfulness of PLOT

In fiction…

How does this novel begin and end?
Why is this scene essential to this novel?
Does this scene logically fit in this place?

The Practice

Choose one of the five types of meditation questions. Have those questions or your own short list open in front of you. Set a timer for 3-10 minutes. Sit and relax any tension that you feel. Recognize the sensations of weight and pressure as gravity keeps you seated. Meditate on the questions that you chose. Other thoughts will intrude. You might lapse into daydreams, regrets, or worries many times. That’s okay! You are practicing awareness of those distractions. Mindfulness meditation is awareness training to help you better focus on storytelling. Each time you realize other thoughts have intruded, return to awareness of sitting and awareness of the questions that you chose.

George Pond

In his tech writing work, George created a chest-high stack of unattributed training and computer manuals for Walt Disney World Co and in consulting assignments across the eastern U.S. He also wrote and published fiction and nonfiction books.
George holds a Poynter ACES Editing certificate. He currently provides beta reader and coaching services at SecondEyesEditorial.com.