Set your timer for 12-15 minutes and write.
No judging. Shoo your inner critic away. Just write.
Today’s Prompt: Right now . . .
Photo taken in Ireland by Jim C. March
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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.
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Things you no longer do. Prompt #82
Write about things you no longer do.
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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 passage is when Becca let go of the thought of publishing, she was able to go “deep into storytelling mode.” That’s my wish for you.Write whatever you want to write. Don’t worry about a thing. . . don’t think about publishing, don’t think about anyone looking over your shoulder. No judging. No criticizing. Just write.
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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 reaction: you might feel a sensation in your gut . . . write about that event, using sensory detail.
You can use the Summer Prompt as a starting place. Not the “how I spent my summer vacation” September school essay. Focus on detail . . . using sensory description in your writing. Capture that musky lake smell, the charred wood campfire smell. Go with tactile detail: the sticky marshmallows on your fingers, the feel of a rough floor on your bare feet, the bright sun fighting closed eyelids. Wake up! Go deep in your writing. Reach out and capture those feelings. . . whatever they are.
After you write, take a look at the responses to Prompt #77 (scroll down) . . . folks used wonderful detail writing about summer.Join us! Write your freewrite. Post your writing on The Write Spot Blog.
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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.
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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.
Whatever methods you use . . . just write. -
The next time . . . Prompt #78
Today’s writing prompt: The next time . . .
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Summer! Prompt #77
Write about . . . Summer.
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What is the worst thing that could be taken from you? Prompt #76
What is the worst thing that could be taken from you?
Set your time for 12 minutes. Write. No thinking. Just write.
Post your freewrite here on The Write Spot Blog.Photo by Jane Person
