Blog 3
Butterfly Effect
"The flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil can set off a tornado in Texas"
In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions in which a small change in one state of a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences in a later state.
This definitely has to be one of my favorite theories/phenomena of all times. The fact that something as simple and little as a butterfly flapping its wings can set off a whole tornado all the way on the other side of the world is mind boggling!
It really makes you think that everything, EVERY-TINY-THING we see or do or experience has a much bigger effect somewhere else in the world. Maybe you waking up late by a few minutes could imply the end of the world in the near future! That is baffling to think about!
The reason I love this theory is because it makes us feel like our actions really do matter and that we always have a purpose in life (even if we’re not always aware of it). However, this is a double-edged sword and works both ways: tiny events have the potential to change things for the better or to create a chain reaction that causes a catastrophe.
The biggest example of this has to be the origination of ISIS and the happening of 9/11 because a dog got killed in 1950's Texas.
A dog enters City Councillor Charles Hazard's yard. Hazard fed it food mixed with glass and the dog died.
Young Charlie Wilson (ex-dog owner) decided he's going to ruin Hazard's career. He organized people to vote against Hazard's re-election and succeeded. Bolstered by his success he began a career in politics, eventually becoming a state senator at the age of 27.
As a member of the House appropriations committee, Wilson lobbied for funds to bolster a group called the Taliban, fighting for the soviet-occupied Afghanistan.
The US pushed the money through Pakistan, so as to not be directly linked with actions against the Soviets.
Pakistan became the common training ground of all kinds of rebels and fighters, arming and training them to fight in Afghanistan. One of the people trained in Pakistan is a civil engineer, son of a Saudi billionaire, Osama Bin Laden.
Taliban forced the soviets out of Afghanistan, creating their theocratic religious state. Pakistan was just happy with the fact that they 'won'.
Al Qaeda planned and carried out 9/11, pushing their religious and political agenda in new and interesting ways. Apparently not interesting enough though, as two Al Qaeda members decided that flying planes into civilian cities isn't a bad enough thing they can do, so they broke off and began ISI, later renamed ISIL and ISIS.
It's honestly bewildering to think that such major and catastrophic events happened all because of a dog dying.
I remember reading about this woman who had a job interview at 9 a.m. but her alarm never went off. Till this day, she thanks all the Gods in the universe because she had her interview at The Twin Towers and that day was September 11, 2001, and the attack happened at 9:59 a.m.
And there you have it folks! From 9/11 being caused by a dog dying to a woman being saved because her alarm didn't go off. That's the butterfly effect!
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Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- and How to Beat Them
I don't like the term 'Writer's Block' - not because it isn't real, but because the term is so vague that it's useless. Hundreds of issues all get lumped together under this one umbrella, making writer's block seem like this all-powerful boogeyman that's impossible to beat. Worse yet, it leaves people giving and receiving advice that is completely ineffective because people often don't realize they're talking about entirely different issues.
In my experience, the key to beating writer's block is figuring out what the block even is, so I put together a list of Actual Reasons why you may be struggling to write:
(note that any case of writer's block is usually a mix of two or more)
Perfectionism (most common)
What it looks like:
You write one sentence and spend the next hour googling "synonyms for ___"
Write. Erase. Write. Rewrite. Erase.
Should I even start writing this scene when I haven't figured out this one specific detail yet?
I hate everything I write
Cringing while writing
My first draft must be perfect, or else I'm a terrible writer
Things that can help:
Give yourself permission to suck
Keep in mind that nothing you write is going to be perfect, especially your first draft
Think of writing your first/early drafts not as writing, but sketching out a loose foundation to build upon later
People write multiple drafts for a reason: write now, edit later
Stop googling synonyms and save that for editing
Write with a pen to reduce temptation to erase
Embrace leaving blank spaces in your writing when you can't think of the right word, name, or detail
It's okay if your writing sucks. We all suck at some point. Embrace the growth mindset, and focus on getting words on a page
Lack of inspiration (easiest to fix)
What it looks like:
Head empty, no ideas
What do I even write about???
I don't have a plot, I just have an image
Want to write but no story to write
Things that can help:
Google writing prompts
If writing prompts aren't your thing, instead try thinking about what kind of tropes/genres/story elements you would like to try out
Instead of thinking about the story you would like to write, think about the story you would like to read, and write that
It's okay if you don't have a fully fleshed out story idea. Even if it's just an image or a line of dialogue, it's okay to write that. A story may or may not come out of it, but at least you got the creative juices flowing
Stop writing. Step away from your desk and let yourself naturally get inspired. Go for a walk, read a book, travel, play video games, research history, etc. Don't force ideas, but do open up your mind to them
If you're like me, world-building may come more naturally than plotting. Design the world first and let the story come later
Boredom/Understimulation (lost the flow)
What it looks like:
I know I should be writing but uugggghhhh I just can'tttttt
Writing words feels like pulling teeth
I started writing, but then I got bored/distracted
I enjoy the idea of writing, but the actual process makes me want to throw my laptop out the window
Things that can help:
Introduce stimulation: snacks, beverages, gum, music such as lo-fi, blankets, decorate your writing space, get a clickity-clackity keyboard, etc.
Add variety: write in a new location, try a new idea/different story for a day or so, switch up how you write (pen and paper vs. computer) or try voice recording or speech-to-text
Gamify writing: create an arbitrary challenge, such as trying to see how many words you can write in a set time and try to beat your high score
Find a writing buddy or join a writer's group
Give yourself a reward for every writing milestone, even if it's just writing a paragraph
Ask yourself whether this project you're working on is something you really want to be doing, and be honest with your answer
Intimidation/Procrastination (often related to perfectionism, but not always)
What it looks like:
I was feeling really motivated to write, but then I opened my laptop
I don't even know where to start
I love writing, but I can never seem to get started
I'll write tomorrow. I mean next week. Next month? Next month, I swear (doesn't write next month)
Can't find the time or energy
Unreasonable expectations (I should be able to write 10,000 words a day, right????)
Feeling discouraged and wondering why I'm even trying
Things that can help:
Follow the 2 min rule (or the 1 paragraph rule, which works better for me): whenever you sit down to write, tell yourself that you are only going to write for 2 minutes. If you feel like continuing once the 2 mins are up, go for it! Otherwise, stop. Force yourself to start but DO NOT force yourself to continue unless you feel like it. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to get started
Make getting started as easy as possible (i.e. minimize barriers: if getting up to get a notebook is stopping you from getting started, then write in the notes app of your phone)
Commit to a routine that will work for you. Baby steps are important here. Go with something that feels reasonable: every day, every other day, once a week, twice a week, and use cues to help you remember to start. If you chose a set time to write, just make sure that it's a time that feels natural to you- i.e. don't force yourself to writing at 9am every morning if you're not a morning person
Find a friend or a writing buddy you can trust and talk it out or share a piece of work you're proud of. Sometimes we just get a bit bogged down by criticism- either internal or external- and need a few words of encouragement
The Problem's Not You, It's Your Story (or Outline (or Process))
What it looks like:
I have no problems writing other scenes, it's just this scene
I started writing, but now I have no idea where I'm going
I don't think I'm doing this right
What's an outline?
Drowning in documents
This. Doesn't. Make. Sense. How do I get from this plot point to this one?!?!?! (this ColeyDoesThings quote lives in my head rent free cause BOY have I been there)
Things That Can Help:
Go back to the drawing board. Really try to get at the root of why a scene or story isn't working
A part of growing as a writer is learning when to kill your darlings. Sometimes you're trying to force an idea or scene that just doesn't work and you need to let it go
If you don't have an outline, write one
If you have an outline and it isn't working, rewrite it, or look up different ways to structure it
You may be trying to write as a pantser when you're really a plotter or vice versa. Experiment with different writing processes and see what feels most natural
Study story structures, starting with the three act structure. Even if you don't use them, you should know them
Check out Ellen Brock on YouTube. She's a professional novel editor who has a lot of advice on writing strategies for different types of writers
Also check out Savage Books on YouTube (another professional story editor) for advice on story structure and dialogue. Seriously, I cannot recommend this guy enough
Executive Dysfunction, Usually From ADHD/Autism
What it looks like:
Everything in boredom/understimulation
Everything in intimidation/procrastination
You have been diagnosed with and/or have symptoms of ADHD/Autism
Things that can help:
If you haven't already, seek a diagnosis or professional treatment
Hire an ADHD coach or other specialist that can help you work with your brain (I use Shimmer; feel free to DM me for a referral)
Seek out neurodiverse communities for advice and support
Try body doubling! There's lot's of free online body doubling websites out there for you to try. If social anxiety is a barrier, start out with writing streams such as katecavanaughwrites on Twitch
Be aware of any sensory barriers that may be getting in the way of you writing (such as an uncomfortable desk chair, harsh lighting, bad sounds)
And Lastly, Burnout, Depression, or Other Mental Illness
What it looks like:
You have symptoms of burnout or depression
Struggling with all things, not just writing
It's more than a lack of inspiration- the spark is just dead
Things that can help:
Forget writing for now. Focus on healing first.
Seek professional help
If you feel like it, use writing as a way to explore your feelings. It can take the form of journaling, poetry, an abstract reflection of your thoughts, narrative essays, or exploring what you're feeling through your fictional characters. The last two helped me rediscover my love of writing after I thought years of depression had killed it for good. Just don't force yourself to do so, and stop if it takes you to a darker place instead of feeling cathartic
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Blog 8
Past Life
"The soul is not born;
it does not die;
it was not produced from anyone;
Unborn, eternal, it is not slain, though the body is slain."
– Katha Upanishad
Past life is a previously lived life in a different body.
Just like how the sun rises and sets everyday, the Earth completes one rotation in 24 hours, it completes one revolution around the sun in 365 days, a plant grows then dies and then goes back to the Earth only to be reborn again, it is a part of nature for souls or energy to be reborn/reincarnated.
All of us definitely have experienced some extraordinary feelings, sensations or memories that seem to occur from a mysterious experience, some time or the other.
Biggest of those uncanny feelings has to be phobias or fears without a reason that you're aware of. Maybe you've never had a bad experience with water but you're still scared of drowning.
I, for example, am terribly scared of hotel rooms, but just at night. I'll be completely fine during the day but right as the clock hits 9 or 10, I suddenly become so paranoid that I can't keep calm. And no, I've not had something bad or dangerous happen in hotel rooms but still. And the fear doesn't just kick in once or twice, it happens everytime I'm on a trip and stay in a hotel. And I was so frustrated because I just couldn't figure out why I ended up feeling like that, EVERY TIME! It wasn't until last year that somebody pointed out that my fear is totally valid because maybe something bad did happen in my previous life and that's why I always get so anxious. Weirdly, I believed that.
There's also the fact that we sometimes end up seeing one same dream multiple times. Maybe it isn't just a figment of our imagination but a memory from our past life.
Same applies for Déjà vus.
Have you ever read about a certain historical period and have been really attracted to it? Like if you could, you'd go back and live in that era? That could be because in your previous life you lived in that age and now your soul craves that familiarity.
Also, the fact that some people are young at heart even later in their lives, the same way some people are old souls at a very young age. Feeling older than your age is commonly associated with having reincarnated many times. You are an old or a mature soul if you feel older than your age.
At times some of these things become so much that you're unable to live your present life well. You're so traumatized from your past that you can't be in the present unless you get over them somehow.
Past life regression helps people to do exactly that. Past life regression is a method that uses hypnosis to recover what practitioners believe are memories of past lives or incarnations.
It's not been Scientifically proven and I don't know how I feel about it either, but if it helps you then great.
I believe Soulmates are a wonderful example because they're the people who've been with your soul and not just your physical body that you had for one life.
Past lives, for me, reinstate the concept of 'heaven' and 'hell' in the sense that your actions matter. If you committed great sins in your past life you'll pay the price for them in this life. And if you continue to pay, and get over them, you'll be adding good for your further lives thus creating 'heaven' for yourself.
Whether you believe in all this or not, every thing, every action, good or bad, every person, even random strangers you see on the street, matter. And they matter a lot. And so do you. Just like how they're somehow important to you, you and your actions are important to others as well so don't you ever forget that.
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Some of my writer’s block cures:
Handwrite. (If you already are, write in a different coloured pen.)
Write outside or at a different location.
Read.
Look up some writing prompts.
Take a break. Do something different. Comeback to it later.
Write something else. (A different WIP, a poem, a quick short story, etc.)
Find inspiring writing music playlists on YouTube. (Themed music, POV playlists, ambient music, etc.)
Do some character or story prompts/questions to get a better idea of who or what you’re writing.
Word sprints. Set a timer and write as much as you can. Not a lot of time to overthink things.
Set your own goals and deadlines.
Write another scene from your WIP. (You don’t have to write in order.) Write a scene you want to write, or the ending. (You can change it or scrap it if it doesn’t fit into your story later.)
Write a scene for your WIP that you will never post/add to your story. A prologue, a different P.O.V., how your characters would react in a situation that’s not in your story, a flashback, etc.
Write down a bunch of ideas. Things that could happen, thing that will never happen, good things, bad things.
Change the weather (in the story of course.)
Feel free to add your own.
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