Some good Spiritual Book Ideas?

I'm thinking of writing a book, it'd be my first book besides poetry books. Well, I don't have a lot of 'craft' experience, and I am still a seeker but I would like to write something somewhat object or philosophical about the human spirit/soul and mother nature. I want to write something that would be deeply moving, and at the same time present well founded ideas and supporting details. Does anyone have any ideas of a good place to start? I'm not asking for anyone to come up with the idea for me, just some thoughts on the idea, feedback. Has anyone written anything like this? I might be heading to Naropa in Boulder CO and I imagine I'll have some great insights from there if I get accepted.

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Permalink Reply by Kalinda on May 18, 2009 at 4:48am: Anyone?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sabrina Luna on May 21, 2009 at 4:14pm: Hi Ashleen,

It sounds like you have an inspired idea --go for it! Why don't you start by jotting down notes or ideas into a notebook? And, after you've got a collection, then organize the material into an outline. Just a suggestion.

Remember, we all could write on the same topic, but each one of us has different opinions, feelings and perspectives. So, don't worry, write from your heart and make it YOURS. :)

I sincerely hope this helps --
Many Blessings,
Sabrina )O(; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christin Keck on May 31, 2009 at 9:18pm: Ashleen, please don't take this the wrong way, but everyone feels that way. We all want to write something that is "deeply moving and well-founded." The difference between wanting to and actually writing it is the biggest gulf you will cross. It's the canyon where writers get lost on their way to being authors.

Here's what you should do until that idea finally gels: get a notebook or a little pocket book (A brand called Moleskine is one of the better kinds--available at most bookstores) and carry it with you. As you travel around, write down your scraps and bits of ideas, quotes you like, things you think about, etc--and pretend that you are writing your book by doing this. Literally. You're writing--your own book. If this sounds goofy, consider this: what you are doing is preserving parts of your journey. When you arrive at a place where you can rest or where you stop for a while, you can go back through that little book and read where you've been, and maybe then you'll find the plot or the idea you want to use to write a longer piece.

I know this sounds like it might be a sort of dumb solution--but it works. It's not like a journal, exactly--it's not cohesive thoughts that you could pick up and drop into a book as published writing. It will be just little reminders of what you are experiencing, what you see, what you find, what you end up knowing. This can be enough to set you off in an entirely new direction, or pick you up and deposit you into another world. Because when you actually sit down to write that book, you'll need to STAY there for a good while until you get it down on paper--and the only way to do that successfully is to actually have something you want to SAY.

In other words, you're probably jumping the gun a bit by seeing the destination before you have actually taken the journey--and as seekers all soon find out, it's the journey that IS the destination.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kalinda on July 2, 2009 at 10:17am: I should start doing that. Thanks for the insight!! Sorry I have been out of town for over a month.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Holly Kubaskie on July 21, 2009 at 7:46pm: I would recommend finding a topic first. Then I would dip my foot in the research well to test the waters. Perhaps writing a book on how to find oneself. Somewhere along the way, I think I got seriously lost. So writing a book, if I were capable of decent nonfiction, pertaining to finding myself would be beneficial.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SpiralingElements on July 23, 2009 at 11:01am: Hi,

I agree with Christin on her little notebook suggestion. I myself can never have enough of them. lol. From your post it sounds like you aren't very confident in your self/idea yet. Being a beginner doesn't mean your experiences so far are less important, real, or worthy, than someone else. Take your little notebook and fill it with your journey, things you love, things you learn, ideas, thoughts, feelings, ect.. And when you're ready to share you'll have all the info you need.

I work with writers and other creatives in my coaching & consulting biz. Feel free to email me anytime for support or what ever.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by libramoon on August 1, 2009 at 12:19am: To write it, first you have to find it, learn it, know it -- or write your explorations along the way.

Journal writing to discover spiritual truths is excellent meditation. Once you have gone a long enough way, you will know what to do next.

I am playing with a notion to embark on a serious epic poetic piece, just right now at the pre-seed moving lightly through imagination stage to see where it wants to go, what form it takes. If it takes root, how lovely! If not, on to the next enchantment. It took me over 15 years to write the first draft of Something Sacred

http://caelastory.blogspot.com

which started as a dream.

Peace,
libramoon; ▶ Reply to This