Instincts, intuition, inner self, Higher Power. Whatever you choose to call it, it is the force which can guide us all. If we let it. Using it, making it an integral part of your life, can mean the difference between success and failure.

Instinct is the blood which propels a writer. It's what makes us pick up that pen the first time and every time thereafter. It's breeze ruffling a child's dress and the heartbreak of lost love. It's all the experiences of a thousand lifetimes wrapped into a single entity waiting to be opened. A glimpse inside and stories are given life because we feel what our characters feel.

But it goes far beyond the creative. If tapped to its fullest potential, instinct can lead us through the harrowing business end of writing too. It allows us to be objective when editing, lets us feel the music of the words, helps us decide which editors to approach, and holds our hand during interviews. It's synchronicity and opportunity--if your eyes, mind, and heart are open to the possibilities.

"Great," you say. "So how do I do this?" That all depends on the individual.

The first and most important step is letting go. Often we dwell so much on our goals and what we want that we drown our instincts. All that worrying generates negative energy. Think about it. Your insides churn, your skin crawls, you toss and turn, pace, chew your nails. How can anything positive reach such a troubled soul?

You know what I'm talking about. Haven't you tried to write when you're upset? Trust me. It ain't gonna happen. Throw the negative away. Let it go. You know what you want to accomplish. Your heart knows it. Force the worry away and let your instincts take it from there. Each time you find your mind drifting say, "No. I refuse to give that negative thought the energy it needs to grow." Take a deep breath. Go for a walk. Listen to music. Sing. Dance. Pull the positive energy inside and feel your story. Daydream about it. Play. Pretend you are the people you long to create. See yourself writing, creating. See the book published. See the cover. Feel the moment.

"How do I know when my instincts are taking charge?"

You feel it deep inside. The best way I can describe it for me is a peace and a subconscious "knowing". You know in your heart what to do. Once you act, there are no regrets. If there are, you weren't using instinct. Go back and do what your heart and subconscious are nagging at you to do. No doubt you might have a trial and error phase, but close your eyes and listen. Don't fight it.

No one is perfect. There are times I've ignored my instincts and I've regretted it every time. Ever try to give your characters the wrong name or make them do something they didn't want to do? The story stops dead in the water and refuses to move until you listen. If you insist on going forward, what have you got? Crap. And you know it. Don't ignore what you're being told. Embrace it.

As for the business end of writing, you must be willing to accept what happens on the road to achieving your goals. This is, after all, a learning process. There's a saying, "Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it." Believe me, truer words were never spoken. It's much more reasonable to say, "This is what I want, and I want it to happen in a way that's best for me." With faith we get what we want and what we need. At times it seems that the two are at cross purposes. It's all part of the grand scheme on that road to goal fulfillment. Hang in there. It will happen if you let go and trust. The Universe is waiting to help you. All you need do is ask...and listen.

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