In the realm of creative writing, particularly for aspiring authors, the journey is often strewn with obstacles, self-doubt, and what David Emerald in his insightful book, "The Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic)," refers to as the Dreaded Drama Triangle (DDT). This concept, although stemming from the field of personal development, has profound implications for authors and creatives alike.
The Dreaded Drama Triangle in Writing
As an author, I've often found myself unwittingly trapped in the DDT, oscillating between the roles of Victim ("Why can't I write as effortlessly as others?"), Persecutor ("It's because of my demanding job and lack of time!"), and Rescuer ("Maybe another writing course will fix everything"). This triangle creates a toxic cycle, poisoning creativity and productivity. But, how do we break free from this cycle?
Embracing the Empowerment Dynamic (TED)
TED introduces a transformative approach where the Victim metamorphoses into the Creator, the Persecutor into the Challenger, and the Rescuer into the Coach. These shifts are not just nominal but represent a fundamental change in how we approach our writing.
From Victim to Creator
The Victim in us sees problems and barriers. As a Creator, we shift our focus to our goals and desires. Remember that time when I was struggling to complete my first novel? I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work and the high standards I set for myself. It was only when I transitioned from seeing these as insurmountable problems (Victim) to challenges that I chose to meet (Creator), that I found the motivation to move forward.
From Persecutor to Challenger
The Persecutor, often an external force, can be internal too – our inner critic that constantly berates us for not being good enough. Transform this Persecutor into a Challenger. Use it to push yourself to greater heights. When I received my first rejection letter, it was easy to view the publisher as the Persecutor. However, by viewing this experience as a Challenger, it became a source of valuable feedback and motivation to improve my manuscript.
From Rescuer to Coach
Finally, the Rescuer in our journey often manifests as external sources we depend on to solve our problems – be it a new writing software, a workshop, or even a mentor. While these are invaluable, they can make us dependent. As a Coach, we begin to trust our abilities, developing internal resources and resilience. My journey as a writer has been filled with moments where I had to stop looking for external solutions and start trusting my intuition and skills.
Applying TED in Writing
Set Clear Intentions: As a Creator, set clear intentions for your writing. What is the story you want to tell? Who is it for?
Embrace Challenges: View every obstacle as a challenge. Is writer's block stopping you? See it as a challenge to explore new writing styles or take a break and gather new experiences.
Self-Coaching: Develop a habit of self-coaching. Reflect on your writing process, celebrate small victories, and learn from setbacks.
Your Empowered Writing Journey
Adopting the principles of TED in your writing can be transformative. It's about embracing the journey with all its ups and downs, learning from each experience, and continually evolving. As an aspiring author, you have the power to create, to challenge, and to coach yourself towards writing not just a story, but your story, one that resonates with truth, creativity, and empowerment. Remember, every word you write is a step out of the Drama Triangle and into the dynamic world of empowered creation. Let's write on!
P.S. So, what was your most valuable takeaway from today’s post and how will you incorporate it into your creative life and writing. My inquiring mind wants to know so please leave your comments below.
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