Writing with the Soul of Your Book
A New Approach to Creativity with Laura Thomas
“I feel anxious when making time to write, to dream about you,” Josie said to her book.
“I’m here to give you energy,” her book replied, “not take it.”
We’ve all encountered that moment.
Your eyes feel like shriveled raisins in your head; your brain has turned to soupy grits; an irritated, frenetic energy lashes through your body as a question beats in your veins.
Where is my book supposed to go next? What should I do?
It could strike when you’re drafting. It could even strike when you’re navigating the treacherous waters of publishing. At some point (or, more likely, many times), you encounter this impenetrable force that stops you in your tracks. You don’t know what to do next with your book, and you can’t think your way to the solution.
You need a new approach.
Fortunately, you’ve had one there all along. For, inside every writer, is a secret resource yearning to guide you, to offer you solace, to take your hand and show you what this inane journey is all about.
That resource is the soul of your book.
It’s hard for any writer to claim they know what we’re doing, myself included. Every time I sit down to write, I feel the breadth of the dark forest stretching ahead of me and the limitations of the candle I hold to battle the shadows. Who am I to guide people in this process, I sometimes wonder, when I feel just as lost as others do?
And yet, despite my self-doubts, there is one tool I have found that has helped my 200+ clients write their books, and it is this:
When you feel lost, when you’re questioning the very sanity of what you’re doing, and whether anyone even cares…have a conversation with the soul of your book.
I believe every book has a soul, and that soul chooses us for a specific reason. It has decided, in the magical way book-souls do, that we are the perfect person to birth this idea. Even further: it has decided that, for our own growth, we need to become the person on the other side of this book.
Because when we’re done writing this book, we won’t be the same.
The soul of your book wants to help you. It wants you to succeed. Your book is never trying to break you—it is trying to birth you. Like a mother, it only wants the best for you, and it wants to reassure you that you’re never undergoing this process alone.
In a weekly session of Sacred Stories in December, I guided new authors through a conversation with the souls of their books.
One of the writers, Josie, tentatively raised her hand. A full-time working mother of two energetic wildlings, she was writing a romance set in a post-apocalyptic world. Early on, she had shared with the group her fear that writing was selfish. It took time away from her family, from the hundreds of other to-do list items. How could she justify it?
“My book appeared as a fiery energy,” she said after our visualization, “but it was so clear in its message: it told me it doesn’t consume my energy. It’s here to give me energy. Writing is how I find energy for the rest of my life.”
Lindsey’s book told her to make the opening image an acorn.
Sydney’s book told her the broader themes aren’t about relationships but our modern cages.
Anice’s book told her to make nature a character.
Sarah’s book told her to just write for her now, worry about readers later.
The soul of your book has an answer to whatever question you’re asking. The trick is choosing to listen.
So, how do you tap into this mystical conversation? It’s pretty easy. Set aside a few moments to get quiet. Close all distractions and let your breath settle in your body. Then bring to mind an image or energy that gives you the feeling of your book’s essence. When it’s present, ask it your questions.
Why am I supposed to write this book?
How does this book want to be launched into the world?
What is this book even about?
See what arises.
Alternatively, you can have a written conversation in your journal. Ask your question, then invite the soul of your book to provide an answer.
Does it all sound a bit “woo”? Sure. Is it also a playful invitation to set aside judgments and see what happens? Yes!
I’m always amazed that the souls of our books are more generous, more expansive, and clearer than we give them credit for. The human mind narrows to the problems we’re solving. The souls of our books expand to what’s possible.
And you, dear writer…you have so many untapped horizons waiting to be explored. I hope you pursue them with your quiet courage. I hope you know that you belong on these seas, captaining this ship. And, when in doubt, I hope you reach for the soul of your book as the best companion you could have asked for.
With it by your side, you will never be alone.
If this process is of interest to you, I hope you’ll join us for one of the FREE sessions I’m leading with Write or Die, “Writing With the Soul of Your Book,” on January 21 at 7 PM EST and January 25 at 1 PM EST.
I’d love to see you there!
— Laura Thomas