Intuition ... No Longer Just For Women

Happy July, everyone!

The winner of a Kindle copy of one of my novels, either In Name Only or Solomon's Compass from Friday's giveaway is ... Bish Denham!

Bish, please contact me to let me know which book you prefer and a good address to send it to.

My guest today is the lovely and amazingly talented Raquel Somatra who blogs at Tea and a Notebook. Raquel and I connected about a year ago, and I've followed her blog since Day One. She and I are different in many ways, but exactly alike in many more.

And I'm pretty sure you're going to love her post.

If you don't already follow her, the link to her blog is below, in her bio. Check it out ... AFTER you leave a comment for her here :)

And since my next blog date is Friday, July 5, I'll just be a little early with this:

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Photo Credit

Intuitive Writing

by Raquel Somatra

There are probably loads of definitions of human intuition, but my favorite is this: when the body knows something before the brain does. Most of us have had moments of intuitive foreknowledge sometime in our lives: that hunch that led you to choosing the less trafficked route to work, or that churn in your stomach when you met someone who later caused you harm. What many writers don’t realize is intuition can also be utilized in their work. Here are some ways you can open your writing to your “sixth sense”:

1. Be open to synchronicity.

Synchronicity is about finding meaningful connections in seemingly unrelated events. Let’s suppose you’re working on a plot point and you have no idea where an event should happen within the story. During the day, you turn on the television and see a commercial for a Celtic music album. Then someone mentions a recent trip to Ireland. Finally, you walk into a bookstore and open a travel book to a random page that contains a photo of Dublin. These are all signs strung together by synchronicity that you can use to direct you in your story. In the case of this example, I created a fantasy abode inspired by the coastlines of Ireland for my manuscript and it worked out beautifully with the story.

2. Record your dreams. 

Body wisdom is the realm of the subconscious, and this is why intuitive messages often come through the dream state. What I find helpful is asking the subconscious for direction before sleeping. The dream itself may point you toward a subject you haven’t researched yet, which may lead you to your answer. Sometimes I’ve awakened with the answer to my question already in my mind! Don’t get discouraged if you can’t remember your dreams or they seem too nonsensical. I’ve found answers most often come through when I’m relaxed and having fun with these techniques.

3. Try stream-of-consciousness writing.

This is especially helpful when stumbling through a period of writers’ block. Sit down with a pen and paper and just go. Don’t think about what you’re writing or how bad it is. Just write. From this exercise, I’ve had amazing bits of dialogue leap onto the page as well as characters who seem to just have created themselves appear. Stream-of-consciousness writing is like opening a door to the subconscious without sleep.

It’s important to remember that nothing is set in stone. Even if the clouds broke open and light shown down upon a name drawn into the sand at your feet, if that name doesn't work with your character, it’s perfectly okay to let it go or save it for later.

The best part about intuitive writing is in utilizing it, you invite a sense of magic in your creative work.

Do you have a cool story about intuition, either with writing or anything else? Do share in the comments. I’d love to read about it.



Raquel Somatra is a painter and writer. She loves trees, mining for gemstones, and used bookstores. 

She blogs at 
“Tea and a Notebook”.