Void: The Way of Writing – Part 6 of 6
by Harrison McLeod @ Men with Pens series: the way of writingIn the void, there is no such thing as good or bad. No one way of doing things is the correct way – or the wrong way. There’s just your way.
But the way of void isn’t easily accomplished. This spirit of Mushin (meaning no mind) can easily cancel itself out. Merely thinking of not thinking is thinking. Sound confusing?
Take the feeling of being in The Zone when you’re writing. Some days, you sit down with a blank screen before you and words just fall right onto the page. They come easily, you’re on a roll and soon, you sit back, satisfied at the great job you’ve done. You might’ve even created a masterpiece – or close.
Wind: The Way of Writing – Part 5 of 6
by Harrison McLeod @ Men with Pens series: the way of writingIt’s been windy in the desert lately. With no trees or tall buildings to block the wind, it sweeps across the land and gives us desert dwellers a good shake. Wind is interesting to observe, though. It picks up bits and pieces from miles away to carry them to someplace new. The wind carries seeds from plants and drops them in places where new sprouts can flourish.
Like the wind, ideas have the ability to sweep through your thoughts to carry them to a new location.
Musashi says, “In strategy you must know the ways of other schools.” To grow as a writer, you need to study other schools of thought and see what the rest of the world is doing.
If you get caught in a rut, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Your writing grows stale.
Fire: The Way of Writing – Part 4 of 6
by Harrison McLeod @ Men with Pens. series: the way of writingTraditionally, the element of fire represents passion and inspiration. But fire also represents action. In writing, these representations combine. Passion is the fire that inspires and moves us into action.
Musashi’s section on fire in the Book of 5 Rings deals directly with various strategies involved in Japanese swordplay. Each technique has a name and a specific set of moves that apply.
In writing, you’re not cutting down or outwitting an enemy. If anything, you’re trying to gain readership and influence people. So how can you stir the passion of your fire and use it to fuel your actions as a writer?
Water: The Way of Writing – Part 3 of 6
by Harrison McLeod @ Men with Pens. series: the way of writingWater is fluid, flowing with the crashing waves. It is one of the most powerful elements. When a river is blocked, water finds a way around the obstacle. Water takes on the shape of a container without losing its essence. It erodes stone mountains, reducing them to pebbles. It might take time, but water perseveres and finds its course.But how do you persevere? Do you stay calm and keep pushing ahead, or do you panic and let the whirlpools drag you under?
When you run across a difficult situation, it’s so easy to panic and lose your head. Losing control is also the easy solution when the moment seems lost.
Ground: The Way Of Writing – Part 2 of 6
by Harrison McLeod @ Men with Pens freelancingseries: the way of writingIn the day of the samurai, warriors were more than just tough dudes slinging swords around. Part of a young warrior’s lessons included the learning about the written word as well as warfare.
The pen and the sword were reserved for nobility. Many young men dedicated their lives to perfecting techniques in both areas. These activities were more than about fighting or writing poetry; they were the foundation of discipline. They provided balance between the body and the mind of a well-rounded individual.
The Way of Writing
by Harrison McLeod @ Men with Pens series: the way of writingWhile cleaning off my bookshelves, I came across a book I hadn’t read in years: Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings. I bought it back when I studied martial arts in the mid-80s. At the time, the Book of Five Rings was a big hit in the corporate world. Musashi’s teachings proved useful in the art of kenjitsu (the sword) and in the business world as well. Many CEOs studied his writings on tactics meant for warfare, applying them to the boardroom. Some people saw this as insight to the Japanese mindset. They studied Musashi in an attempt to understand what made the Japanese such successful businessmen. How could I apply Musashi’s lessons to writing?