Mystical Surprises on the Writing Road
Have you ever been surprised by some wonderful phrase or sentence that you’ve written on your writing road? Have you ever wondered how it ended up on the page?
Organicity
Whenever I’ve looked at something I’ve written that seems magical, inspired, or downright surprising, I attribute it to the art in myself. We all have it. It happens when we access our right brain, the part that isn’t always logical. The part of the brain that can come up with ideas or thoughts in the abstract. It’s the genius in all of us. That wonderful outpouring that isn’t planned or controlled. It just happens when we let it.
A Surprise on my Book Cover
Not that long ago, I posted the book cover of my upcoming historical fiction, Sunflowers Under Fire, on my Facebook Author page. One of my relatives saw it and noticed something on the cover that I had missed.
Below the woman’s left hand that holds the flowers, is an orb. The round faded part on the woman’s skirt. My cousin said, “I’d like to think it represents spirits of love ones joining your journey.” Of course, she was thinking of my grandmother (her great-grandmother) whose story is at the heart of my novel.
Spiritual Guides
I like that, because I was raised in a family not only deeply religious but also spiritual and superstitious, a family that relied on dream books and fortune tellers. My cousin’s notice of the “orb” in the photo was a nice surprise. The fact that she found it significant was also a gift.
That otherworldly theme is prominent in my debut novel, A Cry From The Deep. It’s a time-slip novel that raises the question, have we been this way before? The fact that psychics and spirits have a role in that story suggests that this is a subject I love to explore. That there is something more at play. Or at least, I want to believe there is.
The Art in Yourself
Anyway, what I love about my writing road is finding that kind of mysticism in a turn of phrase or an idea that comes out of nowhere. I find these moments delicious.
What about you as a writer or a reader? Have you had any mystical experiences on your writing road or any other road? Have you allowed the art to appear in yourself?
I love this post, Diana! I don’t have anything personal to add to it (except that I believe in such things) but I’m so glad your cousin noticed it and gave it the significance she did. I do believe we all have such moments; it’s just that some are more attuned to noticing them. What a wonderful reminder to listen and observe. Thank you!
I can’t wait until your Baba’s story comes out:>)
Karen
So glad you enjoyed it Karen. It was a fun one to write. And yes, glad my cousin shared it and didn’t keep her thoughts to herself. A gift, indeed.
I like to think there’s a little bit of magic in all of us.
There is absolutely Jo-Anne. 🙂
Your cousin is very observant as I didn’t really see it either but it is there. I will choose too to believe it represents love from those who have passed with connections to you. And I believe that there are connections and things that we can’t explain. I am grateful when any phrase or word comes to me as if magically and I can consider it even a little bit artistic.
Jo, these unexpected things and/or events make me believe in so much more than this life can explain. I love what these surprises open up in all of us. And like you, I am also grateful when this occurs.