Word Painting

Our gathering on Thursday was a large group. We did a free write on the prompt "Family Reunion." After a big sigh, exercise this took many of us in unexpected rooms deep in our memories. Then we tried something new to our group - a descriptive writing exercise. This really stretched some of us but the results were awesome! The two writing prompt options were, "describe a time you got in trouble as a child" OR "on a sunny spring day all to yourself, describe how you would spend your time." Not surprising, most of us wrote about a time we got in trouble (because examples are plentiful!) Recalling a memory is a great place to begin painting pictures with words. Some of the best pieces of work were from those who were most reluctant to share what they wrote. It was amazing stuff! Some of us wrote humorously about a childhood incident, others were full of heartache and emotion. Hearing each others stories displayed different styles of writing which, in its self, teaches us that we each have our very own voice. I believe we'll be doing more descriptive writing!

As more practice on composing word pictures, try thinking of another time you got in trouble as a kid or teen. I know each of us have been trouble more than one time in our adolescence! As you write, you see an scene in your memory. Paint that scene so your readers can see what you see. Be creative! Try to stay away from using adjective after adjective after adjective such as, "the huge, bright, gigantic, red-hot sun shined down on us." Instead maybe something more picturesque like this:"The blazing mid August sun hung low in the evening sky. Its lingering rays warmed our skin."

Maybe instead of saying, "I walked across the grass." ~ describe what shade of green the grass was, how it felt underfoot, were you meandering across the grass or booking to get somewhere fast!?

Have fun! Be a word smith! Write and re-write until you are happy with the sentence. This practice really stretches us and our vocabulary. Pull out your Thesaurus or use one of the online varieties. Your writing will become full, rich and a bit more interesting. Enjoy expressing your voice...

"Word Painting" is a great book to check out on this subject. You can find a reference to it on the left sidebar on this web site.

Your Unique Voice

I am reading this particular book for the third time. The first time I read it was September of 2002 for a class I was taking at Bethel Seminary. Then I read this book again in the fall of 2006 while in the Spiritual Directing program at Living Word. Right now, in 2008 I'm reading it again. I guess this means I'll read it in 2010, should I follow the pattern. This quote by Eugene Peterson, which is noted in the book, caught my attention. I keep reviewing it over and over, it's very rich, maybe you will find it intriguing as well...

Something very different takes place in the life of faith: each person discovers all the elements of a unique and original adventure. We are prevented from following in another's footsteps and are called to an incomparable association with Christ. The Bible makes it clear that every time that there is a story of faith, it is completely original. God's creative genius is endless. He, never fatigued and unable to maintain the rigors of creativity, never resorts to mass-producing copies. Each life is a fresh canvas on which He uses lines and colors, shades of lights, textures and proportions that He has never used before.

I am reminded that each of us has a valuable and unique voice, unlike any other voice in the world. No need, then, to compare ourselves with any one else. We have OUR voice, given specially to us, by our Creator God.

As a writer, how are you using your "one of a kind" voice? How do you sense God wanting you to use this gift? What holds you back from developing your written voice? Be encouraged...He gave you this voice, for some to write, for some to paint, etc. He is with you, maybe you feel His gentle nudge? How will you respond to Him?

Enjoy the journey ~

Oh yeah - the book is called "Spiritual Mentoring ~ A Guide for Seeking and Giving Direction" by Keith R. Anderson and Randy D. Reese. Excellent book if you are interested in going deeper with your relationship with Jesus.

Creative Idleness

Last night at our gathering we talked about the importance of creative idleness, a term coined by Brenda Ueland in her (awesome) book, "If You Want To Write."

Creativity finds its way out of us not through our busyness, but through our idleness. I must admit, or confess rather, that my life holds more busyness than idleness. And I can tell you, it sucks the creativity right outta me!

One form of creative idleness is to free write for about 20-30 minutes. Free writing is a fun exercise that allows you to move from the busyness of your life into a mindset of creative freedom. There are a few things to keep in mind when free writing:

• Write non-stop for a designated amount of time
• Don't worry about mistakes, grammar or punctuation. Don't make any corrections and please, no erasing
• Keep that hand moving, constantly writing even if you don't know what to write. In stead, just write "I have no idea what to say but I'll keep writing because some writerly folk tells me it's god for me. And you know, this is kinda fun!"
• Do not invite a judge and jury. Just write, no censoring your self.
• Loose control ~ be wild!

Free writing may seem silly, look like jibberish or appear very messy. If you find that to be the case, then guess what? You are doing it right! You see, if your free write is nice, neat and well thought out, then you are not really free writing which means you need to loosen up a bit.

This exercise does many good things for the writer:

• It pushes you past the fear of writing so that you become more comfy with the craft
• Amidst the random thoughts that flow from your head to your hand, you may discover something of value, a nugget, worth spending time to develop. (Maybe your future novel!)
• Heck, it's just fun.
• It gives you the freedom to bypass your "inner critic" (that nagging little voice that tells you that you can't write. That liar!)
• Actually, it will improve your overall writing
• It's a way to blow off some steam or stress
• It's a wonderful journey with an unknown destination...

So, spend some idle time being creative ~ try one free write a day and see where that practice takes you and your writing adventures.

Enjoy the journey!

Let's Write this Thursday

As we slowly approach the beginning of springtime, I hope the urge to write is like the daffodils in my garden...pushing up through the resistance of chilly wet soil, seeking warmth and its life force, the sun.

Our writing is much like that ~ it needs a positive and encouraging environment in which to grow and develop. I hope you will carve out a couple of hours on Thursday this week to devote to the writer within you...

We meet at Living Word in the Common Grounds Coffee Bar at 6:30 PM. See you soon!

grace & peace,
deAnn