9/30 Writing Happiness

"There can be no unsuccessful writing if it opens up the passion buried in the script of your unique self. Good writing blesses the writer's soul. Then it will be good for the reader's soul." Kent Ira Groff, Writing Tides

Writing Prompt~

Take a moment and recall a time of happiness in your life. It could be when you were a child, feeling the freedom that a bicycle can bring. Or as a teenager with that first real boyfriend. Maybe it was a family vacation, a mission's trip or camping. Whatever it is...as God to guide you to the happy memory you are meant to recall. Dig into your life and find that special time and write about it. However, here's the trick...write in third person ~ as if you are observing the action. Fill up one full page or continue until you feel finished. Take a minute and read over what you've written. Reflect on how that story makes you feel. Did hidden memories surface that surprised you? Enjoy this exercise as you go deep soul diving... deAnn

Sept. 24 ~ Weekly Writing Prompt ~ Memory

Writing takes time. And it takes courage. This week create a space to sit down with your favorite writing utensil and journal (or computer). Ask God to join you, to bring to your mind what He has in store. If something ouchie comes up, keep writing with the full knowledge that God is with you, His presence is there and He will hold your hand. The hand you are not writing with, of course :0) Enjoy this time with God as He leads you to an unknown destination ~ deAnn

Memory Is Imagination
Memory is an aspect of imagination. For writing, memory is one of your most important tools. But you don't need an excellent memory to use it well. A single phrase, am image, a fragment of a story, one object from the past is enough to spark the creative, intuitive mind. Especially rich are incidents and images stored away that you aren't sure ever actually occurred; dreams or stories someone has spoken of so many times that they're engraved as past realities. No matter what their source may be, memories are doorways to new pieces of writing.

Memory is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes. One memory sparks another. Each time you write from memory, another fragment filed in that ninety percent of the human brain that science doesn't understand slips into consciousness and a creative shift takes place.

The Prompt:
Begin with the phrase "I remember" and start writing. If doesn't matter whether you stick with one memory of list several. You can retrieve memories from as far back as childhood to as recently as yesterday. If you get stuck just keep repeating the phrase "I remember," in writing, until something else forms in your consciousness. Don't even be concerned with the authenticity of the memory, just record whatever comes to you. Don't stop until you have filled two pages.

"Memory is a Net" ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

(this exercise is an excerpt from Bonni Goldberg's book "Room to Write" ~ page two.)

Weekly Writing Project

Warm Up First ~
Before you go out for a run, you must stretch and warm up those muscles to avoid cramping. Same with writing...you must engage your writing mind. In this warm up exercise you will write a short paragraph on each of the following words. No need to prep for this. Just do it, as Nike exclaims. The purpose is to work on your power of description, a necessary tool for every writer. Have fun!

1. sunflower
2. snow
3. flat panel big screen TV
4. hiking boots
5. wedding dress
6. smell of gasoline
7. deli ham
8. concrete sidewalk
9. a campfire
10. pumpkins
11. fresh brewed coffee
12. being nauseous
13. barking dog
14. tears
15. a humid day

Ready, Set, Write ~
Write for 30 minutes each day this week. Make up a story and roll with it for seven days. Maybe write about a childhood memory and add to it each day. Maybe describe what you will wear daily, why you chose that outfit and how you feel when wearing it. Be creative. You can write 30 minutes about the dreams you had the night before! Just write for 30 minutes. This is the beginning of a good habit.

Homework! Did She Say Homework?

Last night was our first gathering at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. What a beautiful old building. We opened with a time of silence and reflection in the stunning sanctuary. The evening sun illuminated the rich colors of the stained glass windows. Peaceful doesn't fully describe the experience.

In the course of our time together, I asked if a bit more direction (not structure, too harsh of a word) in the writing process would be a help or hinderance. Those there said they would benefit from the incentive. So, I will be posting weekly writing prompts each Sunday. Feel free to use your blog as a place to write as others can comment with feedback.

Also, at the gatherings I'll suggest a writing topic, something to focus on over the three weeks before we meet again. Bring this piece to the next gathering and we'll share what we've written. As usual, it is never mandatory to share your writing (or even to do the writing!)

We talked about "field trips" too, to places where inspiration is key. Like outdoors in a beautiful setting, to the Basilica near Hanover, or even to a crowed location where people are whizzing by busy attending to the desires of their lives. Different locations stir up different moods and this cultivates fertile ground for amazing discoveries through writing.

More free writing is definitely on our hearts as well. Ninety minutes each month we carve out this time for ourselves, to do what we are passionate about. But a special treat would be a day away from responsibilites, a day where all we do is write. So, I'll investigate finding a place for us to have writing workshop one Saturday. Part of the time could be free writing using prompts. The other part could be writing what is on your heart. Can you imagine it? A whole day to WRITE!

We are busy women. Constantly giving ourselves to our husbands, our kids, our employer, housework, bills, miscellaneous errands and ministry. We need "our time." A quiet and comfortable place to be. If you like to write or want to write - in the company of other women with the same desire - this group is the place for you.

This Months Writing Project: (a.k.a. "homework." Heehee!)
Think about your basement. Maybe it’s dark and damp, a hiding place for the things you can’t bear to throw out, but never use. Maybe it’s a beautiful well lit and organized room. Describe your basement and explore its contents through writing. Pay attention to all five senses. Does your basement’s condition reflect your living style? Would you invite others to see your basement? If so, who? If no, why? How does your basement reflect your soul?

Writing brings to life the images & reflections

that are hidden in the soul.

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31 ~ "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." Psalm 27:14

Be with Him. In stillness. Be brave and courageous. Wait patiently. Then write.

Solitude = Creativity

First off, I am so excited and even more grateful that Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Dallastown generously opened their doors to our writing group. And they didn't give us just any ol' room to meet in, they gave us their beautiful Parlor! It is way more than I was expecting! What a gift! It's a peaceful space that I know our group will enjoy. I can't thank the church enough - Pastor Roger, the Board and BUM Church community - THANK YOU!!
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I've talked in past gatherings about being more present in our surroundings, no matter where we are: in the check out line at Giant, pumping fuel at Sheetz, watching our child's school sports, as we walk from our car to the office on these beautifully crisp autumn mornings.

Writers, like other types of artists, see what others don't. We observe, ponder and contemplate then express what comes bubbling up from with in. If we don't see, if we don't consciously become more aware of all the rich LIFE that is happening around us and in us, we have no need to write.

Today during a time of prayer with my ministry team a thought came to mind ~ When God created the earth and all it contains, He did it in solitude. There were no cell phones distracting Him from His breathtaking creative expression. Our God sets the example and shows us the key to creativity. Solitude. It's in the quiet that we are able to reflect on what we see with our physical eyes. Through this time of reflection, God speaks to us in beautiful ways. Then we can't help but desire to create! To write about how He's speaking to us!or how we see His world. The scientific genius Albert Einstein said "the monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind." And he should know.

God created in solitude. We create in solitude. How well are you carving out time for solitude in your super busy life? God whispers to us. He's easier to hear when we sit with Him, quietly. He is longing to have us spend time with Him. What is He saying to you? How does He want you to express it?

He's speaking. Can you hear Him?