Guest Post by Noelle Sterne
In The Artist’s Way, Cameron coaxes us:
1. The MP combat "the Censor," that ubiquitous inner shrew (p. 12). Even if we have a list of works longer than Mozart's, the Censor endlessly harangues that we never do enough or well enough.
2. In bold rebellion, the Morning Pages feed our "inner child" (p. 12), that twinkly part of us imprisoned by parents, religion, school, and society, and giggling to get out.
3. The MP get us to the other side "of our fear, of our negativity, of our moods." This is where "we find our own quiet center" and our own triumphant voice (p. 12).
With Cameron's excellent reasons, I've discovered a few others:
4. The Morning Pages, despite their generally dubious quality, count as writing. Yes, the day whizzes by with jobs, kids, partners, laundry, dental appointments, and all the other relentless to-dos. But you've written something besides a list of groceries or car problems.
5. Keeping this daily promise, you feel like a serious, committed writer.
6. If you must fault your writing, you can at least stop flogging yourself for not writing at all.
7. The MP give you an ongoing record of progress. Label your notebooks by the year or quarter and stare at them on a bookshelf or in a file cabinet.
However, I must confess. After my first burst of perfect morning rule-following, my MP entries stopped. An undeniably nonmorning person, I cannot bound eagerly out of bed, bright-eyed and clear-headed. So I stumbled on another way . . .
In the beginning, I felt like an irrevocable sinner. But soon, I discovered that the later MP have distinct advantages. They’re the cathartic receptacle of the day’s pettinesses and redundant gripes against those closest and most annoying and the unjudging accepters of ceaseless self-justifications. Occasionally too, they're the recorders of small, significant victories ("Did 15 minutes on this piece today!").
So, I developed ways to keep the MP working, whatever the time:
1. Plunk paper and pens everywhere—main writing area, kitchen, night table, bathroom, briefcase, tote, car seat.
2. Use waiting time anywhere, even if you don’t finish in a single stint.
3. Complete the entry whenever you next can, as long as it’s before midnight.
4. Do the MP neatly or messily; it doesn’t matter whether you’ll be able to read them later.
5. If you feel absolutely blank, just keep writing, “Nothing to write.” Soon you will.
6. Keep doing the Pages. Keep doing the Pages.
What if you miss a day, or night, completely? It feels awful, worse than stealing from your partner's pocket.
First, forgive yourself. And second, take corrective steps. Set the clock, plaster signs all over the house, beg a significant other for help. Most crucial, jump back on the horse and kick the pen into a gallop, whatever the hour.
The MP revived my thinking and living like a writer. They helped resurrect my lifelong goal from the mountainous ashes of decades-long distractions. And two years after starting the MP, I published my first essay in years!
So, do the Morning Pages whenever you choose—indulgent brunch, high tea, or vampire dawn. Like me, you'll notice you're less afraid, growing ideas, picking up unfinished work, and even feeling spurts of hope. And, greatest miracle, you're giving yourself the delicious practice of regular writing.
About Noelle
Author, editor, ghostwriter, writing coach, and spiritual counselor, Noelle Sterne writes fiction and nonfiction and has published over 250 pieces in print and online venues. With a Ph.D. from Columbia University, for over 28 years Noelle has helped doctoral candidates complete their dissertations (finally). In her new book, Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams (Unity Books), she draws examples from her practice and other aspects of life to help readers release regrets, relabel their past, and reach their lifelong yearnings. www.trustyourlifenow.com.
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