The Write Spot Blog by Marlene Cullen

Tag: The Write Spot

  • Listen to your body as a way to creativity.

    In this Just Write post, we’ll take a look at the idea of listening to your body as a way to get past blocks toward your creativity.

    First, turn off your cell phone or put to vibrate. Unplug from Facebook and emails. Eliminate as many distractions as you can.

    If you are experiencing extreme grief or pain, please get professional help. This post, of course, cannot replace the need for professional assistance.

    Ready? Here we go.

    We all experience grief, trauma, sadness. And we have our own ways of handling those stresses. There is no one right or wrong way to handle these difficulties. What is right for one person, may be wrong for someone else. What works for me, might not work for you, so take what works for you from this post, ignore the rest.

    Let’s take a moment now to breathe, relax and get settled.

    Take a deep breath in and let out with a whoosh.

    Deep breath in. Relax. Let go.

    Drop your head to your chest and rotate in a circle.

    Rotate shoulders in a circle.

    Scan from head, down to your toes. Check in with your body.

    Notice places that are tight. Notice any uncomfortableness.

    As you scan your body, become aware of any place that draws your attention – notice what part of your body calls out to you.

    Place the palm of your hand on the part of your body that calls your attention. Or bring your breath there if it’s not reachable with your hand.

    Allow your hand to be filled with the information of that place.

    Take a deep breath in. Let it out with relaxing sigh.

    Thinking about that place in your body that calls out . . . what do you notice? Who hangs out there? Who do you see?

    If you could have a conversation with that part of your body, what would it sound like?

    If you have blockages in your life, your work, or your creativity, your body can tell you what’s going on. If you are stuck, notice where you feel it in your body.

    When you pay attention to that stuck feeling, you can work past it and then you will be free to work as you wish. Discover what’s really bothering you.

    When you are ready, write about what you have discovered. Write about that place in your body that wants attention. Or just write about whatever is on your mind.Hands

  • Things you no longer do. Prompt #82

    Write about things you no longer do.

    jump roperoller skates

     

                                                        BlocksWhite Rain hairspray

  • Writing is like excavating . . .

    Writing prompts on The Write Spot Blog are designed to encourage writing that takes the writer on a journey of discovery.

    Our freewrites can refresh our memories and remind us of times past. It’s like excavating — digging deep and dredging up memories.

    You can start writing very simply — with pen or pencil and paper or keyboard.

    To go deep into your writing — rest both feet on the floor, rest your hands lightly on your lap or on the table. Take in a deep, nourishing breath and slowly let it out. Another deep breath in and s-l-o-w-l-y release. Sink into your breath and relax on the out breath.

    Review the prompt and start writing. If you get stuck and don’t know what to write next:

    ~ Write the prompt . . . sometimes re-writing the prompt brings up new ideas.

    ~ Write “I remember. . . ” and go from there.

    ~ Write “I don’t remember. . . ” and see where that takes you.

    ~ Write “What I really want to say . . . ”   This is my favorite to inspire deep writing.

    Shovel Whatever methods you use . . . just write.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • The next time . . . Prompt #78

    Today’s writing prompt:     The next time . . .

     

    angel.flying

  • Summer! Prompt #77

    Write about . . . Summer.

    Summer

  • Let’s talk about the inner critic.

    It’s difficult to shake off judging ourselves and our writing. Our inner critic is a hard one to let go — it’s been with us for so long.

    What I especially like about freewrites is that since they are very rough first drafts, they can be just awful and no one should care because, after all, they are just first drafts.

    The beauty of freewrites is getting Self out of the way and going with the flow. Let your writing flow with no judging. When you are in the zone and writing. . . time flies. There is no space for the inner critic to hang out. It’s just you and your creative mind playing with words.

    Let go of your worries about your writing.

    Lola

    Choose a prompt from The Write Spot Blog. Set your timer for 12 minutes and Just Write.

  • . . . . so we can have an ordinary life.

    In honor of Memorial Day, Sharon Hamilton sent the following to be included in our tribute to military personnel.

    Sharon shares these photos and thoughts:  We owe a lot to the men and women who have fought on our behalf, so we can have an ordinary life. Memorial is just one day we remember and vow to always remember all of our military personnel.

    General Daniel CameronPhoto of Sharon Hamilton’s Great-Great-Grandfather’s brother, who served in the Civil War, like her Great-Great-Grandfather. General Daniel Cameron gained his citizenship by fighting for the North.

                                                     Navy Seal Uniform

    SEAL Uniform.185

    Cover of Sharon Hamilton’s latest book, SEAL My Destiny.

    Seal My DestinySharon Hamilton writes Navy SEAL romance, about military heroes who thrill strong women, who are lucky to love them back.

     

    Sharon began her serious writing with freewriting exercises, using prompts to inspire her writing. You, too, can jumpstart your writing. Choose prompts from The Write Spot Blog  or from The Write Spot Writing Prompts and just write.

  • Standing in a doorway . . .Prompt #63

    Today’s prompt:  Standing in a doorway . . .

    French Market

     

     

     

     

     

     

        Photo by Jim C. March

  • Write short? Write long? Write strong!

    The following is an excerpt from “When every letter counts,” by Kevin Cullen (no relation to me that I know of). —  March 2014 issue of The Writer Magazine.

    Kevin writes:

    I have been in the newspaper game for more than 30 years, which qualifies me as a card-carrying old fart.

    I have tried to embrace new technologies and platforms pushed upon us by enthusiastic, young tech geeks who talk about Facebook and Twitter with the zeal of evangelicals. Online is where it’s at, even though we still  make most of our  money from the dead tree version.

    But what has all this meant for writing? Because, let’s face it, the biggest advantage all forms of written journalism have over the immediacy of TV and radio is the ability to deliver depth and strong, evocative writing.

    Writing short and writing long require different disciplines. It’s the differences between writing a poem and writing a short story. When you tweet, every letter counts. When you write for the web, enjoy the freedom.

    Note from Marlene: Ideas for strong and evocative writing posted on The Write Spot Blog. Click on titles below for inspiration for strong and evocative writing.

    Crafting scenes a reader can see — and sense

    Watershed Moment Prompt #57

    The Power of Place

    Essence of You Prompt #45

    Pen

     

    What to do?  Just write!

     

     

  • A room from your childhood. Prompt # 62

    Sit back, relax. Take a few deep breaths.  Relax into your breathing.

    Think about rooms from your childhood. Let your mind wander around various rooms:

    Your bedroom

    Your parents’ bedroom

    Your grandparents’ bedroom

    The room where you ate your  meals . . . kitchen or dining room

    Your grandparents’ dining room.

    Here’s an excerpt from Lynn Henriksen‘s book, Give The Gift of Story, TellTale Souls’ Essential Guide*, page 58, excerpt written by Robin.

    IMG_1899

    Jamie and I would crawl into our cozy little bed between the softest apple-green sheets that matched the apple-green carpet and the apple-green walls. We took turns as to who had to be squished against the wall and who was to be on the outside nearest Grandma.  We always took turns with everything at Grandma’s house, I figure that’s how she kept the peace.

    Now, settle into a room from your childhood.  Look around. Really look around.  Start from the doorway and move around the room. . .  write about what you see, what you remember. Include color, smell, texture. What did this room feel like? Who decorated this room?  What influenced the decorator?

    Prompt:  Write about a room from your childhood.

    * Give The Gift of Story, TellTale Souls’ Essential Guide is now out of print. Lynn’s latest book, the “new and improved model,” as she writes, TellTale Souls Writing the Mother Memoir: How to Tap Memory and Write Your Story Capturing Character & Spirit is available at Amazon and Book Passage in Corte Madera, California.