Q: What do you get when you throw a bunch of random things together into one compilation?

A: You get a marvelous, yet sometimes bizarre, creation!

At this point, you may be wondering what in the world I am talking about…Let me explain.

When it comes to writing, there is a smörgåsbord of different components that go into the process. You must consider the brainstorming, the long hours, the funds, the advertising, the dedication, and all the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to produce a product to the right group of consumers.

One way I like looking at this concept is my ‘Hot Dog Theory’.

Like hot dogs, writing is usually prepared commercially by mixing all of the elements in one large pot, otherwise known as the composition. As hot dogs consist of many separate parts, beef, chicken, and pork, writing also consists of many separate parts. The ingredients that go into the recipe for producing great writing consists of nouns, verbs, adjectives, spelling, grammar, structure, and presentation.

Food and writing alike, both move rapidly through each process. They pass through blades and pages; being ground and mixed as well as rewritten and erased, all in order to ensure the end product contains all the needed ingredients; thus making both processes analogous. Each combination is now ready for the next step in the preparation process. The same way in which hot dogs are forced through tubes into casings in preparation for cooking, writing is forced through pens onto pages in preparation for publishing.

After this entire process, your final product is just around the corner. With a few finishing touches and the perfect packaging assembled, this analogy comes full circle as all the steps, hard work, and preparation have now produced a clear, complex, and complete product. So enjoy your literature and hot dogs.

“To write what you know and go with the flow.”

This is a personal quote I’ve coined and followed throughout my career as a writer. If you’re feeling uneasy about accomplishing any task, just free your mind and let your fingers do the talking. I know in my past, I have often found myself stuck in a corner with no way out. That is, until I opened my closed mind and allowed my thoughts to lead me out.

Whether performing a task in the employment world, or completing a paper in the education world, I always suggest to not sweat the small stuff. Instead, just let your words form the story or thesis within your mind. Permit your sense to delve into your inner core and engage with your subconscious. As I have followed this exercise in previous writings, you too will find how mind altering and freeing this experience can be.

By allowing your sight to bounce from one object to another, don’t question, just let your eyes visualize.

By allowing your taste to swallow truth, don’t judge, just let your mouth interpret.

By allowing your sense of touch to wonder, don’t think, just let your fingers create.By allowing your hearing to nestle in each vibration, don’t react, just let your ears listen.

By allowing your sense of smell to linger in every corner, don’t conceive, just let your nose detect.

By allowing your sight to bounce from one object to another, don’t question, just let your eyes visualize.If you completely release each of these senses to do whatever they please, you will create some truly unique and unpredictable content. Good luck finding that freedom!!