A post previously from small CHUNKS OF WRITING--my tribe that died...but this exercise fits with this new tribe as well! ...
OK, so here it is. I have been trying to come out of a pretty serious depression lately. I feel great now that it is warming up over here. It was so cold before that it felt like my face would fall off every time I stepped outside. It was a bone chilling cold here, wet and frosty.
So now, I have been reading an excellent book on writing exercises, "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg. I am going to steal exercises from her from time to time (or all the time) to take the pressure off having to come up with my own every week. Of course...I will embellish them as well...
In her book, Natalie talks about free writing. She says that writing is not a ready made, prepackaged product like a McDonald's Hamburger...or I guess it shouldn't be, if you want it to be organic...to arise from a place of true voice rather than contrived or forced.
So from a very beginning place (the best place to start) try to write in a non-literary way...not writing to get a reaction or based on what someone else will think...Just be alone with your thoughts and allow your mind to jump from thought to thought, freely. Some of my best stories/songs have arisen from "playing around" like this...not taking my words so seriously and just allowing my mind to wander.
While you write do not edit yourself...quiet the inner critic...just let the writing flow. Do not stop writing...just keep your pen moving...Try this for 10--15 minutes...once, twice, or 6--7 times before the next exercise, it is your choice. Share your favorite freewrite with the tribe.
You don't know what you'll end up with!!! And this is the exciting part...it will be living writing!
Good luck! and Joy!
Shannon
OK, so here it is. I have been trying to come out of a pretty serious depression lately. I feel great now that it is warming up over here. It was so cold before that it felt like my face would fall off every time I stepped outside. It was a bone chilling cold here, wet and frosty.
So now, I have been reading an excellent book on writing exercises, "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg. I am going to steal exercises from her from time to time (or all the time) to take the pressure off having to come up with my own every week. Of course...I will embellish them as well...
In her book, Natalie talks about free writing. She says that writing is not a ready made, prepackaged product like a McDonald's Hamburger...or I guess it shouldn't be, if you want it to be organic...to arise from a place of true voice rather than contrived or forced.
So from a very beginning place (the best place to start) try to write in a non-literary way...not writing to get a reaction or based on what someone else will think...Just be alone with your thoughts and allow your mind to jump from thought to thought, freely. Some of my best stories/songs have arisen from "playing around" like this...not taking my words so seriously and just allowing my mind to wander.
While you write do not edit yourself...quiet the inner critic...just let the writing flow. Do not stop writing...just keep your pen moving...Try this for 10--15 minutes...once, twice, or 6--7 times before the next exercise, it is your choice. Share your favorite freewrite with the tribe.
You don't know what you'll end up with!!! And this is the exciting part...it will be living writing!
Good luck! and Joy!
Shannon
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Michigan
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