Tag: Writing freely. Just write. Writing Prompts. The Write Spot Blog.

Prompts

At Least . . . Prompt #804

| mcullen

Before writing:  Stretch. Get comfortable in your chair. Take some deep breaths in and release. When you are ready: Prompt #1      Making lists List 3 things you don’t want to write about. Just a list. List 3 things that happened a long time ago that you are still angry, resentful or hold a grudge about. Just a list. List 3 things that happened this past week that made you mad. Just a list. Prompt #2 Write:  Choose one of those experiences. Write about it. Be as detailed and as explicit as you can. When did it happen?  Day of week? Time of day? Where did it happen? Who was involved? What were you wearing?    Remember to look up and breathe if the writing is difficult. Write for 15-20 minutes. When you are finished with this writing, shake out your hands. Breathe. Intro to Prompt #3 You can use writing…

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Prompts

Regrets . . . Prompt #803

| mcullen

Regrets: We all have them. There are four parts to this writing prompt. You can do all four at once. Or, take breaks. Write on one prompt at a time. Take care of yourself while writing: Look up. Walk around. Look out a window. Take some deep breaths. Part 1:  Write about a regret you have. Something you did or something happened that you wish hadn’t happened. Write what happened as if you were a journalist. This happened. Then that happened. Write for 20 minutes. Part 2:  Write about the emotions surrounding that experience. Remember: Take care while writing. Part 3.  What are you resisting writing about? Take a deep breath. Capture whatever you can about what happened. Put your thoughts and feelings into words. Part 4.  Let go.  Notice what you are feeling. Allow your feelings to be. Deep breath in. Let it out. Release. Turn your attention to…

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Just Write

Passions

| mcullen

Going through an old (paper) file folder, I found something I wrote around 2011: I am passionate about writing. It is my joy to find the exact right word for what I’m looking for. Some people work crossword puzzles for a hobby. If there was such a hobby for finding precise words, that’s what I would do. Well, it is what I do! Grant Faulkner also appreciates discovering the right word, as described in his Substack essay, “A Grab Bag of Trinkets, Flotsam, Jetsam, Doo Dads, Dad Doos, Rusty Objects, Found Objects, Attempts at Erudition—and More (but not less): “Words have halos, patinas, overhangs, echoes.” —Donald Barthelme “I steal “frotteur” from James Salter, who said, “I’m a frotteur, someone who likes to rub words in his hand, to turn them around and feel them, to wonder if that really is the best word possible.” As a frotteur of words, I love this quote,…

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Guest Bloggers

Write What You Know: What Does That Mean, Exactly?

| mcullen

Guest Blogger Dixie Somers writes: If you’re a writer, you’ve no-doubt heard the phrase “write what you know” in every workshop you’ve attended. But what does that actually mean? Should you only write about your personal experiences? Do you have to be an expert on a topic to write about it? Not necessarily! To get a better grasp on this common writing tidbit, I’m here to break it down and help you find what you “know.” So grab your pen and paper (or keyboard) and let’s dive into this together. What is “Knowing?” To start, let’s define what it means to “know.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as having a clear perception or understanding of something. So when we’re told to write what we know, it means writing about things that we have a good grasp on and can easily convey to others. This can include personal experiences, but it…

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