Just Write

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…

Quotes

I went deep into storytelling mode — Becca Lawton

Today’s quote is from Write Free – Attracting the Creative Life by Rebecca Lawton and Jordan E. Rosenfeld. Rebecca wrote: “I wrote another personal essay, in part with the column in mind but mostly with the intention of simply telling my story. There was a message I wanted to convey in the piece: one of loss and sadness, but also of triumph and survival. Because I had taken my focus off publication while writing, I went deep into storytelling mode. Much of the writing for the piece was done in subconscious writing fashion. When I finished a decent draft, I went outside to water my flower garden. I felt a certainty that hadn’t been there before. the essay was so good, so moving. I knew it would be published — if not in the target column, then certainly elsewhere.” Note from Marlene: What strikes me as being important in this…

Prompts

Stroll down memory lane . . . Prompt # 81

Today’s writing prompt is inspired by Rebecca Lawton’s May 26, 2014 blog post, which begins: “Candles of buckeye blossoms and their subtle fragrance have always confirmed the return of summer. Seeing them this week reminded me that certain sights, sounds, and smells trigger strong memories. The whisking sound of a broom on stairs recalls family vacations at the lake, where our host rose early to sweep fallen live oak leaves. The musky scent of open water reminds me of being on a raft enjoying the primal sensations of floating a muddy river. The first bars of a Beatles song bring back the excitement of junior high school dances. Sipping tequila reminds me of kayaking from Loreto to La Paz on the Sea of Cortez.” Click here to read the rest of the post. Writing Prompt: Stroll down memory lane . . . pause when a remembered event causes a visceral…

Prompts

I Spy. . . Prompt #80

Today’s writing prompt is inspired from the book, Write Free, Attracting the Creative Life by Rebecca Lawton and Jordan E. Rosenfeld This writing exercise is called: I Spy List a few things that happened this morning or yesterday. They don’t have to be big or memorable, just whatever falls into your mind. The goal is to slow down and take stock of those things you do not normally notice. Writing Prompt: Focus on one event and write how you felt about this encounter. Jot down your feelings and then do a freewrite. Did the event make you think of anything else? Did it remind you of other events, experiences, memories or feelings? What were you thinking while it happened, or just before or after? Write your freewrite. Type your freewrite and save it.  Log on and post your writing on The Write Spot Blog.

Just Write

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…