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Writing Begins with the Breath

Writing Begins with the Breath

Embodying Your Authentic Voice
by Laraine Herring 2007 211 pages
4.09
366 ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Writing Begins with the Breath: Cultivate Mindfulness

"Returning to the rise and fall of breath, bringing a level of conscious awareness to a predominantly involuntary action, reins in the scattered nature of our thoughts and grounds us in our bodies, squarely in the present moment where we must remain if we are to write deeply."

Mindful breathing is the foundation of deep writing. It connects us to our bodies and the present moment, essential for accessing authentic creativity. By focusing on our breath, we:

  • Calm scattered thoughts
  • Ground ourselves in the present
  • Increase awareness of our physical sensations
  • Open ourselves to creative inspiration

Practical application: Before writing, take a few minutes to focus on your breath. Notice the inhale and exhale, the pauses between breaths. This practice helps clear the mind and creates space for creativity to flow.

2. Authenticity is the Core of Deep Writing

"When we realize we are carrying these stories with us, expressing them is the next natural step."

Authentic writing comes from within, from our lived experiences and the stories we carry in our bodies. To access this authenticity:

  • Connect with your physical sensations and emotions
  • Explore personal memories and experiences
  • Write from a place of honesty and vulnerability
  • Trust your unique voice and perspective

Developing authenticity: Keep a journal to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Practice writing without self-censorship, allowing your true voice to emerge. Remember, your unique perspective is what makes your writing valuable and engaging.

3. Embrace Risk and Humility in Your Craft

"What are you willing to risk to tell your stories?"

Taking risks in writing means pushing beyond your comfort zone and facing your fears. This requires:

  • Vulnerability in sharing personal experiences
  • Exploring challenging or controversial topics
  • Experimenting with new styles or genres
  • Being open to feedback and criticism

Cultivating humility allows you to:

  • Approach your work with an open mind
  • Recognize areas for improvement
  • Learn from others and grow as a writer
  • Maintain a beginner's mindset, regardless of experience

Practice risk-taking: Write about a personal experience or topic that scares you. Share your work with a trusted friend or writing group. Embrace the discomfort as a sign of growth.

4. Curiosity and Empathy Drive Compelling Narratives

"Through writing, we discover our thoughts and our ideas. Through writing we can deconstruct and dissolve those same thoughts and ideas. We can gain clarity, focus, and lightness."

Curiosity fuels exploration and discovery in writing. It helps you:

  • Ask probing questions about your characters and plots
  • Delve deeper into research and background information
  • Uncover unexpected connections and insights

Empathy allows you to:

  • Create multidimensional, relatable characters
  • Understand diverse perspectives and experiences
  • Connect emotionally with your readers

Developing curiosity and empathy: Practice observing the world around you with wonder. Ask "what if" questions about everyday situations. Imagine life from others' perspectives, even those very different from your own.

5. The Body is a Source of Creativity and Inspiration

"Our cells have memories. Our bodies have stored all of our experiences—those expressed and unexpressed, even those forgotten. They are there, waiting for us."

The body as creative source:

  • Houses memories and experiences
  • Provides sensory information for vivid writing
  • Connects us to emotions and intuition

Accessing bodily wisdom:

  • Practice body awareness exercises
  • Pay attention to physical sensations while writing
  • Use movement to stimulate creativity (e.g., walking, yoga)

Body-mind integration: Before writing, do a quick body scan. Notice any areas of tension or discomfort. Write about these sensations, allowing them to guide you to unexpected stories or insights.

6. Balancing Process and Product in Writing

"If you hold on to the goal of publication as the hallmark for your success as a writer, you are giving away your power."

Focus on process:

  • Embrace the journey of writing
  • Find joy in the act of creation
  • Develop a consistent writing practice

Product considerations:

  • Set realistic goals for completion
  • Understand the publishing landscape
  • View publication as a part of the process, not the end goal

Striking a balance: Set process-oriented goals (e.g., writing for 30 minutes daily) alongside product-oriented goals (e.g., completing a first draft in six months). Celebrate small victories in your writing practice, not just major milestones.

7. Revision is Re-visioning: Embrace Evolution

"Re-visioning. You are looking at your work anew, with fresh eyes, innocent eyes, from a place of humility and curiosity."

Revision as re-imagining:

  • See your work with fresh perspective
  • Be open to major changes and new directions
  • Focus on deepening the core of your story

Practical revision strategies:

  • Set aside your work for a period before revising
  • Read your work aloud to catch awkward phrasing
  • Consider different points of view or structures
  • Seek feedback from trusted readers

Embracing evolution: After completing a first draft, set it aside for at least a week. When you return, read it as if it were written by someone else. Note areas that excite you and those that feel flat. Use these observations to guide your revision process.

8. Perseverance and Surrender in the Writing Journey

"You continue to show up because you know that without this relationship you are only a shell of who you could be."

Perseverance is crucial for:

  • Developing a consistent writing practice
  • Pushing through creative blocks
  • Completing long-term projects

Surrender involves:

  • Letting go of ego and expectations
  • Trusting the creative process
  • Being open to where the writing leads you

Balancing perseverance and surrender: Commit to a regular writing schedule, but allow flexibility in what you produce. Some days may yield polished work, others may be exploratory. Trust that showing up consistently will lead to growth and completion over time.

9. Impermanence and Detachment in the Creative Process

"Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well."

Embracing impermanence:

  • Recognize that all creative phases are temporary
  • Be present with the current stage of your work
  • Let go of past projects to make space for new ones

Practicing detachment:

  • Separate your worth from your work's reception
  • Release attachment to specific outcomes
  • Focus on the process rather than external validation

Cultivating acceptance: After completing a project, take time to reflect on the journey. Acknowledge what you've learned and how you've grown. Then, consciously release the project, creating mental and emotional space for new creative endeavors.

Last updated:

FAQ

1. What is "Writing Begins with the Breath" by Laraine Herring about?

  • Holistic approach to writing: The book explores how writing is not just an intellectual activity but an embodied, emotional, and spiritual practice.
  • Integration of body and mind: Herring emphasizes the importance of connecting with the body and breath to access authentic, "deep writing."
  • Process over product: The book guides writers to focus on the process of writing, self-awareness, and personal growth rather than just the end result.
  • Practical exercises: It offers a blend of writing prompts, body-based exercises, and reflective practices to help writers overcome blocks and find their true voice.

2. Why should I read "Writing Begins with the Breath" by Laraine Herring?

  • For writers at all levels: Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned writer, the book provides tools to deepen your writing practice and reconnect with your creative self.
  • Unique integration of yoga and writing: Herring’s background in yoga and counseling brings a fresh, embodied perspective to the writing process.
  • Addresses common writing struggles: The book tackles issues like writer’s block, self-doubt, and the challenge of finding an authentic voice.
  • Encourages personal transformation: Readers are invited to use writing as a path to self-discovery, healing, and personal evolution.

3. What are the key takeaways from "Writing Begins with the Breath"?

  • Writing is embodied: Authentic writing arises from the integration of body, mind, and spirit, not just the intellect.
  • Breath as a foundation: Conscious breathing grounds writers in the present moment and helps access deeper layers of creativity.
  • Process is central: Focusing on the writing process, rather than just the product, leads to more meaningful and sustainable writing.
  • Self-awareness and acceptance: Embracing vulnerability, risk, and self-compassion are essential for authentic expression.

4. How does Laraine Herring define "deep writing" in "Writing Begins with the Breath"?

  • Beyond intellect: Deep writing is not just about clever ideas or technical skill; it emerges from the writer’s full being.
  • Rooted in the body: It involves tuning into bodily sensations, emotions, and breath to access stories stored in the body’s memory.
  • Authentic and vulnerable: Deep writing requires risk, honesty, and a willingness to explore uncomfortable or hidden parts of oneself.
  • Transformative process: It is a journey of self-discovery that can lead to healing, integration, and personal growth.

5. What is the role of breath in Laraine Herring’s writing method?

  • Anchor to the present: Breath helps writers stay grounded and present, reducing anxiety and mental chatter.
  • Bridge to authenticity: Conscious breathing connects the mind and body, allowing authentic stories to surface.
  • Tool for overcoming blocks: Breath-based exercises are used to move through resistance, fear, and creative stagnation.
  • Metaphor for writing flow: The natural rise and fall of breath mirrors the ebb and flow of the writing process.

6. What are the main concepts and themes explored in "Writing Begins with the Breath"?

  • Risk and vulnerability: The necessity of taking emotional risks and embracing discomfort in writing.
  • Authenticity and voice: Finding and trusting one’s unique voice through self-inquiry and body awareness.
  • Humility and curiosity: Approaching writing with openness, humility, and a willingness to be surprised.
  • Empathy and acceptance: Cultivating empathy for oneself and one’s characters, and accepting imperfection and change.
  • Relationship and process: Viewing writing as an ongoing relationship that requires nurturing, patience, and commitment.

7. How does Laraine Herring suggest writers overcome writer’s block in "Writing Begins with the Breath"?

  • Reframe the block: Herring suggests that it’s not the writing that is blocked, but the writer who is blocking the writing, which empowers the writer to take action.
  • Stay with discomfort: She encourages writers to remain present with uncomfortable emotions or resistance, using breath and body awareness.
  • Use body-based exercises: The book offers physical postures and breathing techniques to release tension and stimulate creativity.
  • Journal and freewrite: Prompts and freewriting exercises help writers explore fears and obstacles, making them less intimidating.

8. What practical exercises and tools does "Writing Begins with the Breath" provide?

  • Body Breaks: Short, accessible yoga-inspired exercises to ground the body and open creative channels.
  • Touchstones: Writing prompts and journaling exercises at the end of each chapter to deepen self-awareness and craft.
  • Sensory focus: Practices that engage the five senses to enrich description and presence in writing.
  • Character and story development: Exercises for exploring character motivation, point of view, and emotional depth.

9. How does "Writing Begins with the Breath" address the relationship between body, mind, and writing?

  • Body as story source: Herring posits that the body holds memories and stories that the mind alone cannot access.
  • Integration for authenticity: True voice and deep writing arise when the body, mind, and spirit are in harmony.
  • Physical awareness: The book encourages writers to notice bodily sensations, posture, and breath as part of the creative process.
  • Healing and transformation: Writing becomes a tool for healing past wounds and integrating fragmented parts of the self.

10. What is Laraine Herring’s advice on the writing process versus the writing product?

  • Emphasize process: Herring urges writers to focus on the act of writing itself, rather than obsessing over publication or external validation.
  • Let go of outcomes: She teaches that attachment to specific results leads to suffering and creative paralysis.
  • Practice and perseverance: Consistent, mindful practice is more important than immediate success or perfection.
  • Celebrate impermanence: Each writing session is unique; good and bad days are both part of the journey.

11. What are some of the best quotes from "Writing Begins with the Breath" and what do they mean?

  • “Deep, authentic writing does not come from the intellect, as one might expect. Deep writing comes from our bodies, from our breath, and from our ability to remain solid in the places that scare us.”
    • This quote encapsulates the book’s core message: true writing is embodied and requires courage to face discomfort.
  • “The writing is not blocking you. You are blocking the writing. This is a very empowering reframing.”
    • Herring reframes writer’s block as something within the writer’s control, encouraging agency and self-compassion.
  • “To write what we are given to write, we must disappear.”
    • This quote speaks to the surrender of ego and control, allowing the writing to flow through the writer without interference.
  • “Writing is an art that requires work. A writer’s training is ongoing, lifelong learning.”
    • Herring emphasizes the importance of continual practice and humility in the writing life.

12. How does "Writing Begins with the Breath" help writers integrate writing into their daily lives and personal growth?

  • Daily practices: The book encourages small, regular writing and body-based practices to make writing a natural part of life.
  • Self-reflection: Through journaling and mindful exercises, writers gain insight into their patterns, strengths, and areas for growth.
  • Balance and integration: Herring teaches how to harmonize the creative and analytical aspects of writing, as well as life’s demands.
  • Writing as transformation: The process is framed as a journey of self-discovery, healing, and ongoing evolution, not just a means to an end.

Review Summary

4.09 out of 5
Average of 366 ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Writing Begins with the Breath combines Eastern spiritual practices with Western writing techniques to offer a unique approach to the creative process. Many readers found it helpful for connecting mind and body during writing, though some felt it was too focused on meditation. The book provides exercises and insights on overcoming writer's block, finding authentic voice, and viewing writing as a spiritual practice. While some readers thought it lacked concrete writing advice, others appreciated its emphasis on self-exploration and mindfulness as part of the writing journey.

Your rating:
4.55
36 ratings

About the Author

Laraine Herring is an accomplished author and educator with a background in creative writing and counseling psychology. She holds an MFA in creative writing and an MA in counseling psychology. Her literary works span multiple genres, including short stories, poems, and essays, which have been published in various national and local publications. Herring's writing has earned recognition, including the Barbara Deming Award for Women, and a Pushcart Prize nomination for her nonfiction. She currently leads the creative writing program at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona. Herring is affiliated with professional organizations such as the Author's Guild and the American Association of University Professors, and volunteers with Hospice Family Care.

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