It’s early. The sun is not up yet. The only sound is the gentle clacking of my keyboard and my dog snoring in the next room.
As usual I’m using the quiet hours to write. It’s my favourite, most precious time of the day.
Like many people, I have the tendency to write in the past tense. Then I go back and edit it into the present.
The present is where we live. Life is vivid in the present. Where we can actually smell the smells and feel the feelings.
That’s why most writing and speaking experts agree that it holds your audience’s attention more to write and speak in the present tense. It’s called vivid writing or vivid speaking. For example, a simple story
“Sorry I’m late. I was in my car and a dog ran out causing a truck in front of my to swerve, hitting a mailbox!” can be changed to:
“Sorry I’m late. I’m in my car and a dog runs out. The truck in front of me swerves and hits a mailbox!”
The present is more engaging. We are in it, not observing it. So today’s challenge is simply that. For the next week, live vividly.
1. Notice whenever you’re speaking in the past tense and change it to present tense.
2. Notice whenever you’re writing in past tense and edit it back to the present.
3. Notice when your past experience is creating assumptions in the present. Practice taking each new moment as a whole new experience.
The early morning is my best time to think and write. I love that time of the day. seize the day!
I am not an early morning person, but felt like changing my routine after reading this 🙂
Well written and insightful … I enjoyed (or should I say – enjoy) the article
As I’m writing this comment, it’s early morning. I’m in my kitchen, and I pick up the baking dish that soaked all night – and it breaks in two in my hand, spraying cold meatloaf & dishsoap scented water all over the counter.
LOL. Perfect.
Great advice!!!, Love it. I will start practicing. Thanks for sharing it. Love
Thanks Satya. 🙂
I’m not up early, but recently began to start the day with practices that bring me present and alive: meditation, chanting, appreciation for the beauty around me, my precious kitties, my being, the world, and my human loved ones. Now I am in a very sweet sense of feeling alive. (present tense!) Blessed be! Thank you, Teresa. xo
Perfect. 🙂
The first half hour of every day is a must write time for me. I have written a poem every morning for sixteen years by writing what I am thinking/feeling at that very moment in time.
Wonderful!