Julia McCutchen is the Founder & Creative Director of the International Association of Conscious & Creative Writers (IACCW). She teaches a holistic approach to writing for publication and I am excited she has agreed to share her knowledge for deepening the impact of our writing.
Arielle: You place a great deal of emphasis on writers learning how to access their intuition. Can you tell us why you feel it is so important and how you define what intuition is?
Julia: Intuition can be your most powerful ally when it comes to writing your book and taking your message out to the marketplace successfully and with soul. But many writers have yet to understand the full potential intuition has to offer.
I would say that intuition is an important gateway to conscious creativity as it works at a level beyond the everyday mind. The hallmark of intuition is immediate and direct knowledge without the conscious use of reasoning. Rising above thought but using the mind as a vehicle, intuition is a distinct sense of Knowing.
Most writers will have experienced intuition already even though they may not have been consciously aware that it was guiding them.
For example, think of a time when you had a strong hunch, a gut feeling that you couldn't quite explain but which just felt "right". You may have had an "aha" moment or simply known somehow that you were on the right track.
When it comes to writing, intuition plays a leading role in capturing and communicating your most original and inspired ideas. Intuitive writing will always deliver deeper, richer and more meaningful insights and stories than your rational mind can create.
To achieve the best results with your book you need to go the extra mile. Working consciously with your intuition will enable you to do just that.
Arielle: So how can writers learn to enhance their writing by accessing their intuition?
Julia: My first suggestion is to practice what I call deep listening which is one of the keys to unlocking intuition. There are two aspects to this:
- Outer listening involves listening to the world around you with curiosity about life, people and relationships
- Inner listening requires turning your focus inwards to what is going on deep inside you.
Take a few moments before you write to listen deeply and gradually become aware of the space beyond your conscious mind. Write from there.
Arielle: What other practical applications does intuition have for writers?
Julia: You can ask your intuition for answers to questions and for guidance on important decisions relating to any aspect of your authorship.
Try this: spend time just before you go to bed settling your body and your mind. Then ask your question clearly and write it down. Set the intention to receive the answer, and then let it go.
Review your thoughts and feelings in the morning and write as soon as possible to reveal ideas which have risen to the surface of your conscious mind. As with all such techniques, real success comes with practice.
Arielle: What final piece of advice would you give for writers who are new to this topic?
Julia: In the early days of connecting with your intuition, I recommend that you suspend your disbelief and act as if your intuition is your most important inner guide. This gives the subtle yet powerful quality of intuition the chance to show up and support you.
Start with small steps taken one at a time to build your confidence and your experience of being in touch with your intuition. Pay attention to each success, however small. Build your belief up gradually to enjoy the contribution intuition has to make to your writer's journey.
Thank you for this Julia! I am looking forward to connecting with my intuition today. For those of you reading this, how do you get connected to the inner most part of yourself as a writer? Please share your comments below.
Julia McCutchen is a successful and intuitive writer's coach, mentor and professional publishing consultant. She has over 20 years' experience of publishing and a track record that includes UK #1 and international bestsellers. Julia is the author of The Writer's Journey: From Inspiration to Publication and the creator of the How to Write the Ultimate Book Proposal Online Masterclass Course. For more information about the IACCW Writer's Community, visit www.iaccw.com.
Arielle Ford has launched the careers of many NY Times bestselling authors including Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Neale Donald Walsch & Debbie Ford. She is a former book publicist, literary agent and the author of seven books. To learn how to get started writing a book please visit: www.HowToWriteMyBook.com