For those who struggle with goal focused written therapy or need reinforcement as to its effectiveness,  there is a great new book titled How to be a Writer who Writes by Greg Miller.  Greg teaches creative writing to professional writers.  His process is powerful and effective.  He calls Phase 1 of his process open-ended, expectation free writing.  This approach is designed to get you past your conscious editor, a crucial step in both creative writing and written therapy.

In therapy, harnessing your subconscious allows you to replace bad habits, challenge twisted beliefs and influence destructive behavior.  As a creative writer, this approach provides access to your experiences, stories, feelings, perceptions, ideas, concepts, skills and theories.

You know a book is going to be great when it starts out “In the beginning, there usually isn’t a word.  There’s usually a feeling.  A flash insight.  A moment of clarity.  A revelation.”   Capturing your emotionally laden thoughts and allowing yourself to be a beginner are important first steps in the creative process.

Some more of Gregg’s wisdom ( http://othernetwork.com ):

“Every tactic doesn’t work, every time for everyone but there’s always a work around.”

“It’s Ok to ask for help.”

“Once you have a note book dedicated exclusively to a project, the project no longer just exists in your imagination.  Now it exists in the material world.”

“Always have a pen at hand.”

“Always take notes on everything.”

“Don’t be precious (yet). Don’t censor yourself (yet).  Don’t judge (yet).”

“Don’t rewrite notes.”

“Don’t go more than 3 days without writing something.”

Making thoughts visible starts the process of change.  Writing can access deep-seated emotions and can get you to your creative center.  Change is hard but doable.  Knowing the process will get you to where you need to go.