Begin with what you don't know, and then half way through...

Yesterday in Eugene, I taught one of the principles of EarthJoyWriting: begin with what you don't know.

We don't have to know where we are going as writers, or humans, to start out on the road.

Take a train. Or a road. Follow the sun. However you go, write with your hands. One word at a time.

You will figure it out as you go.

Soon you will begin to roll.

And then the skies will grow dark. Sunset or smoke from wildfires will grow.

At this point, you will be on your own.

About half way through something big- a writing project or a trip on the road- you will have a decision to make.

My writer friend, Ashley, told me this many years ago. I experienced it while writing my dissertation, and my novel, and every book I've written since.

It's the half way pause.

Do you stop where you are, stick to the plan, nibble the ground below?

Or do you abandon the plan and go where your spirit wants to go?

We are at a half way pause, a crossroads, like this. Today is the last EarthJoyWriting workshop on the book tour in Ashland, Oregon. And we have about another week out west.

I saw this road on a map when I was planning this trip. And this morning, while looking for coffee, there it was.

The land holds so much history. Memory. Wisdom for our minds, spirits and bodies.

Take time to pause and decide where you want to go.