Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt Effective Communication Means…

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Effective Communication Means…

Friday five-minute writing prompt

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use their computer. If that is your preferred method to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period of time.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – Effective Communications Means… Or any other phrase that is comfortable for you. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes: this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and/or fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, hum a tune, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

photo credit: jamienease.com

Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt A Father’s Love…

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A Father’s Love…

Friday five-minute writing prompt

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use their computer. If that is your preferred method to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period of time.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – A Father’s Love… Or any other phrase that is comfortable for you. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes: this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and/or fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, hum a tune, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

photo credit: jamienease.com

Time to share the story you are not telling…

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It’s Effective Communications Month and I’m just wondering about the story you are not telling. You know what I’m talking about. You have a longing to open up about a situation or a cause that is close to your heart, yet you hesitate. Do you feel that you are at the end of your rope trying to figure out how to share your story? Where do you start? And who would want to hear it anyway?

I understand and know exactly how you feel because I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to wonder if I’ll be judged because I decide that the time has come for me to take a stand and speak up. I know that vulnerable feeling of waiting for the repercussions after my story is told and out there for the world to accept, digest, reject and dissect.

It’s scary to put yourself out there. But you don’t have to feel like you are dangling out there all alone. You don’t have to do it alone. You can tell your story with support and in the company of like-minded women.

I have been honing my skills for years; sharing my stories and supporting my clients in sharing their stories. I have the support of my own inner wisdom along with the expert guidance of coaches, colleagues and, of course, my clients, who are my greatest teachers.

Isn’t it about time to share the story you are not telling?

Curious about how you get started?

I’ve got a suggestion for you. Why not write in a community of like-minded women and be a co-author in the “In Her Own Words” Collaboration Book? It’s an opportunity for you to be an Amazon best-selling author in 2022 and you’ll receive step-by-step guidance from two experienced coaches. There’s a Free Information Call coming up on June 21 at 8:30 a.m. Pacific to answer your questions about what’s invoved and help you figure out if this is a good fit for you.

Grab your seat for today!

 

Photo credit:  Dreamstime.com

Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt I’m rebuilding my life…

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I’m rebuilding my life…

Friday five-minute writing prompt

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use their computer. If that is your preferred method to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period of time.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – I’m rebuilding my life… Or any other phrase that is comfortable for you. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes: this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and/or fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, hum a tune, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

photo credit: jamienease.com

How to build a life…

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Have you ever built anything?

Whether it was a birdhouse for Scouts or a million-dollar mansion at the beach, you went through the emotional ups and downs of frustration and joy. The frustration that things were not turning out exactly the way you wanted them to turn out. The wood was too knotty and the paint was too dark. The appliances didn’t fit where you wanted to position them because the wrong measurements were taken. You pictured it so perfectly, but nothing seemed to be going exactly the way you planned.

Have you ever felt your life isn’t turning out exactly the way you planned? 

June is Rebuild Your Life Month. Take a minute to focus on what your life would look like a year from now if you rebuilt it starting today.

Have you been thinking about going back to school to finish your degree, or learn a new facet of your profession? Now would be a good time to start reading up on what you need to do…get an application, find out what the requirements are, research grants, or funding options.

What about getting all those ideas out of your head and finally writing that book you keep thinking about? (And if the thought of writing a entire book stops you cold, consider participating in a collaborative book where you contribute only one chapter. And I’ve got a great connection for you to help you make that plan happen!)

Have you been longing to take a trip? Go to the library – yes, get out of the house and explore the pages of the travel section.  Take out some of the maps, spread them out, and let your fingers explore the route you would take.

Just as you wouldn’t go on a trip without a map, rebuilding your life means creating a plan of action to achieve your goals. The house was built with a firm foundation and the fundamentals.

Your rebuilding may be the result of a life change of your own choosing (or not), but you have a firm foundation to start from.

Your core is strong.

excited little girl

You are determined to become the woman you are meant to be. 

No house was ever built overnight and you won’t rebuild your life quickly either. What you can do is start writing down how you’d like your life to be. There is power at the end of your pen. Do you struggle writing about your business and your life? So many people have not tapped into the hidden gems and treasures that make their stories distinctive.  Your story is what makes you uniquely qualified to meet your client’s needs. 

If you are someone who desires to have an impact on the world through writing and needs help to do it, let’s talk. 

Photo credit:   dreamstime.com