Exercise

The bacon of writing.

All crafts have magic ingredients, and writing is no different. Within the realm of writing there is a specific setting that always works well for a writer.

Writer

The writer's urge.

Writing unfolds from an urge within that's two-fold in nature, and illusive. It's hard to put words on, yet that's the one thing the craft is all about.

Exercise

Words of movement.

Describing movement is a craft in its own right, and it's not as easy as you might think. But good writing depends on it.

Writing

All good writing is prewriting.

Even though rewriting is one of the most important aspects of the writing craft, there is another process that's equally important.

Exercise

The story of your pen.

Your pen is a fusion of the water-, fire- and space element, and it has a story to tell that brings you closer to your voice as a writer.

Voice

The umami of writing.

Your voice is the interplay of three things that allow you to find the sweet spot in the middle.

Exercise

Go beyond the mother tongue.

In this combo of the earth and fire element you take your voice to its outer limits. It's challenging, but also playful and rewarding.

The Five Elements

The five elements.

It's the constant interplay between the five elements that makes up your voice as a writer, and you can combine them in any which way you want.

Voice

The power of playfulness.

Innovation is a key part of the world we live in, but without playfulness it never happens. This includes finding your voice as a writer.

Exercise

Emotional logbook.

Being aware of your emotions is important to develop your emotional intelligence, which is a key part in your voice as a writer.

Handwriting

Handwriting makes you smarter.

Handwriting can be seen as an incredible workout for the brain that enhances its functions in many unforeseen ways.

Art

The artistic path.

Artistic creation and personal development combined is like driving a car while stepping on the gas and the breaks at the same time.

Exercise

Words of scent.

Connecting memory with feeling anchored in scent is a powerful way of developing yourself, and your voice.

Voice

The trinity of voice, tool, and format.

If you take care of your voice, it takes care of you, and the best place to start is finding the right tool for it.

Exercise

Finding patterns.

Turning abstract thought into writing is one of the most rewarding exercises for the mind.

Writing

Creating space.

Dreaming is key to writing, but make sure you pick the right dream, so your voice can operate effectively under the radar.

Voice

When in doubt, let your voice lead.

It's hard to trust your voice, but it knows where to go better than your mind.

Exercise

The mirror effect.

To find and develop your voice you must be able to see life from different perspectives. The mirror effect quickly lets you shift your point of view.

Voice

Finding the tool of your voice.

Your voice is independent of any specific tool in theory, but in practice some tools make it easier to find and express it than others.

Exercise

Write what you know about yourself.

Writing about what you know about yourself leads you straight to your voice.

Writing

The rhythm of the write.

Finding your natural rhythm when writing is key to discovering your voice, and you better be honest with yourself and look in the right place to find it.

Exercise

When in doubt, write your name.

Why do you think that 97 percent of all people write their own name when testing a new pen? The answer gives us the opportunity of creating lasting change.

Life

Flow of time.

This exercise from the water element helps you observe the flow of life through the medium of time. It puts life in perspective in less than a minute.

Life

Your voice is everything.

If you don't know your voice, you cannot make a difference. Discovering your voice is the very essence of being.

Exercise

One eyed vision.

To create a different future we have to first change the space-time constant of our mind. Only then can we turn dream into reality.