Where do you find your spark? Results 10.22.11

October 22, 2011 By 1 Comment

Results of 5-minute writing prompt: Where do you find your spark?

Well, my spark comes from an enormous number of places:

  1. taking a walk
  2. visiting a museum
  3.  sitting quietly and watching a humming bird
  4. closing my eyes and going within
  5. smelling the lavender in my front yard at dusk
  6. watching an old movie
  7.  listening to music
  8. writing in my journal
  9.  hearing a friend’s voice on the phone
  10. trying a new recipe
  11. reading inspirational material
  12.  listening to a child tell a story
  13. visiting a craft store
  14. visiting a museum
  15. taking a class in a new medium
  16. trying out a new experience
  17. experimenting with new foods
  18. saying Yes to what I’m afraid to do
  19. exploring new areas around the corner, or around the world
  20. playing with collage materials
  21. cleaning out my purse
  22. flipping through magazines without reading them – concentrate on the images
  23. engaging strangers in conversation 
  24. attending live performances
  25. talking with my girlfriends
Filed Under: collage, communications, Creativity, General, nonfiction writing, Personal, Writing, Writing prompt Tagged With: , , , , ,

Step outside the box and Create Your Success Story – Writing Wisdoms #12 from Your Writing Mentor

October 13, 2011 By 2 Comments

This week I gave a presentation at the San Francisco Professional Career Network Meet-Up entitled “Create Your Success Story.” I talked about using the stressors in our lives (losing a job, major move, catastrophic illness) to fuel our ability to change our story. Using the example of how I’ve tapped into my creativity to gain insight into how I could help myself, I invited the group to participate in a few exercises to engage their senses along with activating their imagination and intuition. Some of the “left-brain” thinkers were hesitant about the connection between playful exercise and job hunting. However, all of my suggestions were targeted to have them listen to their intuition and hidden dreams instead of the next logical step according to the business models. Take a look and the video and you can judge for yourself the results on their faces and the colorful collages. 

Filed Under: nonfiction writing, Productivity, Speaking, story, Stress, Uncategorized, Workshop, Writing, Writing Wisdoms from Your Writing Mentor Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Ya gotta have friends to help you share your message

October 12, 2011 By 2 Comments

Writing Mentor Mary E Knippel and Writing Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan

 

Of course, we know how important it is to get out there and spread the word about our message. We are among the lucky ones if we fortunate enough to have friends who would help us prepare for an event, coaching us on content and delivery, and then be our support “team” on the day of the event!

I’m sending a huge THANK YOU and lots of love to my friend, head cheerleader and my Mentor, Writing Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan.

I had the opportunity to speak to a fabulous group at the San Francisco Professional Career Network Meet-Up yesterday. In fact, I conducted a mini-workshop (with writing, collage and conversation resulting in lots of creativity) entitled, Create Your Success Story. When folks were asked to introduce themselves, Teresa was the first one to stand up and say she was here because of today’s fabulous speaker! That set the stage for an amazing morning and I’ll share more about the thrill of being able to share what I’m passionate about in another post.

Teresa and I have known each other for over a decade now. She amazes me with all that she does for everyone else, encouraging, supporting, and documenting our accomplishments. I have opened myself up to new opportunities and had some incredible experiences because Teresa nudged/suggested me to consider taking on a bigger role.

Do you have someone who lifts you up?

How do you lift up others?

Tell someone that they shine today.

You’ll be glad you did.

Filed Under: Collaberation, collage, communications, General, nonfiction writing, Personal, Productivity, Speaking, story, Workshop, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

I have a weakness for…Friday Five-minute Writing Prompt Results

September 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I have a weakness for notebooks of all shapes and sizes. Mostly unlined, but sometimes I’ll like the shape enough that I’ll buy something with lines. I love the freedom of being able to write in any direction I want. My favorite is the huge size – 11 by 17 artist sketch books. They just offer so much possibility. I can create an enormous collage on two pages spread out. My heart races thinking about being able to decorate all the space along with the spiral in the middle. Oh yes, I love the spiral. I add a ribbon so that I can keep track of what page I’m on. It helps me keep a sense of order. I’ve added pockets to some of them too. I found some fancy ribbon in San Francisco at this fabulous fabric store. The ribbon actually had a pocket in it. Not a very sturdy pocket, so it wouldn’t hold anything except a few scraps of paper or maybe a stamp. I like to buy colored clasp envelopes and glue them to the inside cover of the journals.

Filed Under: collage, Creativity, Five Minute Writing Prompt, Personal, story, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing prompt Tagged With: , , , , ,

Buy new pencils – Coaxing Creativity Tip Aug. 23, 2011

August 23, 2011 By 2 Comments

School is starting in many areas and so the back-to-school sales are in full swing. Whether you have someone going back to school or not, take advantage of the sales and stock up on pens, pencils, paper, and glue sticks. Instead of a No. 2 pencil or Blic Blue, try colored pens and pencils or even zebra striped erasers to add a bit of whimsy to your desk. I’m addicted to purple ink and so my journals have a variety of shades of from lilac to deep purple hues. Speaking of journals, pick up a few of them with your favorite character, or cartoon to record your thoughts and dreams. Or, collage on a plain notebook and use that as inspiration every time you sit down to write. Treat yourself to notepads with pretty flowers or bright colors to give your reminder notes an extra dash of life. Instead of the plastic stacker on your desk, try a wicker basket to hold all those papers you have yet to deal with.

What do you think? Any of these sound like fun? Please let me  know if any of these ideas sparked a change in you.

 

Filed Under: Coaxing Creativity Tues Tip, collage, Creativity, Personal, story, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

List making as a writing tool

August 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I love lists. I could make a list about making lists! They are not just “Honey Do” lists around the house, or remembering to buy milk and eggs at the grocery store. A list is a valuable tool and asset in your writing. Lists help us organize our thoughts and add structure to a free form activity. Lists keep us grounded, without inhibiting the creative process. However, I need to use caution and I advise you to do the same. Writing about everything I think I need to do and trying to cram it all into my schedule, can lead to overwhelm and ultimately a full out shutdown. Nevertheless, list making is a way for me to combine left-brain and right-brain activities. My analytical left-brain enjoys exploring new concepts and figuring things out. My creative right-brain is delighted to have new ideas to digest and incorporate. I have less stress and am more productive when I work from a list.

Make a list the next time you are stuck on a writing project. List the bullet points of the argument you want to make. List your chapter headings. List your key words/phrases which convey your core message. Do a free write about your subject and number every new thought. Free associate key words in word clouds. Some writers create a collage of their core message and arguments, illustrating stories and personal antidotes on different colored sticky notes. They arrange the colored paper on a board, floor, or desktop until they are happy with the flow of the presentation. During editing, I’ve been known to make a print out and then cut up my work so that I could rearrange the whole piece. Experiment and see what feels right for you. Perhaps it is one method over the others, or a combination of them.

Sometimes, after you’ve made your list, your writing project is still not coming into focus. It can be frustrating when you don’t know what to do next. Your Writing Mentor would be happy to discuss your writing challenge. Contact me at mary@yourwritingmentor.com to schedule a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your web site copy, blog posts, or newsletter articles.

Mary E. Knippel, Your Writing Mentor, is a creative professional with 25 years of extensive writing experience. Using her skills as a free-lance writer, editor, speaker and workshop facilitator, Mary encourages reluctant writers to embrace their writing potential and address their writing challenges with fun and flair. For the past three years, she has been the Independent Editor Coordinator (aka Book Doctors) for the San Francisco Writers Conference, where professional editors advise fledgling writers. Recently, she participated as a panelist for the Northern California Storybook Festival and the Bay Area Film Festival. She is an active member of many professional writing organizations and past board member of such non-profits as the Women’s National Book Assn-San Francisco and the California Writers Club-Peninsula Branch.

Filed Under: Co-Creation, Collaberation, collage, Creativity, General, nonfiction writing, Productivity, story, Stress, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Creating with collage and free-form writing at the San Mateo County Fair

June 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mary E. Knippel, Writing Mentor, speaking to workshop participans at June 17 San Mateo County FairI recently had the pleasure of leading a creativity workshop at the San Mateo County Fair. We spent a very lively two hours creating fascinating art in traditional written word and story form through collage. In the making of the collage, participants tore up magazines, glued down images, and layered pictures on paper to reveal some amazing stories without words.

The free-form writing experience was a way to get the words down as fast as possible without worrying about organization or editing. During this 5-minute timed writing exercise, participants simply kept their hand moving along the page to allow the words to come through them. Sometimes when you don’t feel like writing, yet have a “need” to do so, free-form writing may be your way to get started.

Simply set the timer for five minutes (or any timed amount you choose), pick up your pen, or open a word document and go. Don’t think about what is coming up, why you keep coming back to the same subject, question, or comment. Just keep your pen/fingers moving. Think of the exercise as a way to get things moving creatively speaking. You wouldn’t just put on your running shoes and go out on the track at your fastest pace would you? No, you would stretch and warm up. Think of free-form writing as a way to warm up for whatever it is you are preparing to write.

Literary pursuits may not be the first thing you think of when you think of the county fair, but I’m sure there have been many pieces of great writing which began in country settings. I know there were all kinds of writing from classic novels to Sunday comics, from New York Times best sellers to teenage magazines, read in the secret sanctuary of our barn’s hayloft. My dreams of becoming a writer began there among the straw bales and the sounds of clucking chickens and bellowing cows.

Where did you learn to love to read and write?

Filed Under: Co-Creation, Collaberation, collage, communications, Creativity, General, nonfiction writing, Speaking, Stress, Workshop, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Indulge your sweet tooth – Coaxing Creativity Tuesday Tip June 14, 2011

June 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I’m heading off to the San Mateo County Fair this week so my thoughts are turning to feasting with all the senses,  touch, scent, sight, sound and taste, at the fair. Walking through the main gate our senses are engulfed with distinctive aromas. Having grown up on a farm, I’m familiar with the earthy odors as well as mouth watering smells coming from the various food vendors. Eating at the fair is a very important part of this sensor experience. The last time I was at the Minnesota State Fair the latest deep fried offering was a Snickers candy bar. Surprisingly, it still tasted like a Snickers.

Of course, the Coaxing Creativity Workshop I’m facilitating as part of the California Writers Club Literary Event, is a completely calorie free experience! We will engage sight with all the enticing magazine images, sound when we rip those pages apart, and touch with all the textures of the paper.

June is National Candy Month. I think I’ll treat myself to a bag of  tiny sugar doughnuts at the fair in observance of the designation. Right after I host the Coaxing Creativity Workshop, of course!

What is your favorite fair treat?

Filed Under: Coaxing Creativity Tues Tip, collage, Creativity, General, story, Workshop, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Coaxing Creativity Workshop June 17 = Free Family Fun at the San Mateo County Fair

June 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s county fair time and an opportunity for some serious summer entertainment. When I was little, the merry-go-round was my kind of ride; one gentle speed going around in circles. My in-laws used to plan their trip around the Midway so they can ride the Ferris wheel at dusk to see the swirls of carnival lights. My daughter and my husband like roller coasters. Are you someone who goes to see the latest 4H exhibits, stop by to see the baby goats, pigs and rabbits, and the award winning animals. Or do you eat your way around the fair? Strolling from one deep fried food to the next. Tom Thumb doughnuts are my weakness. Whatever your indulgence, I’ve got a suggestion that won’t add calories to your fair experience and is guaranteed to deliver a refreshing experience.

On Friday, June 17, from 4-6 p.m. Coaxing Creativity and the Creativity Mentor (aka yours truly Mary E. Knippel) is facilitating a Coaxing Creativity Workshop. This is a free, a family-friendly event for ages 10 and up. (Kids, please tell you parents you want them to play with your!) This is a fun experience for the young and the young at heart. During the workshop, we’ll explore the secrets of keeping a journal and discover how combining bits of paper, glue, and magazine images create magic!

Join us Friday, June 17, 4-6 p.m. in the Expo Building by the Literary Arts Stage. I’ll bring the materials. You bring your imagination and a generous supply of enthusiasm.

Coaxing Creativity Workshop is part of a series of readings, presentations, workshops and special presentations during the San Mateo County Fair (www.sanmateocountyfair.com)  sponsored by the California Writers Club-Peninsula/San Francisco Branch (www.cwc-peninsula.org).

A little bird told me you want to attend the San Mateo County Fair for free! I have a few tickets to give away. Just send an e-mail to maryeknippel@gmail.com with Creativity Ticket in the subject line. The first three who respond will also receive a parking pass. Good luck!

Filed Under: Coaxing Creativity Conversations, collage, Creativity, General, Memoir, story, Workshop, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Welcome Spring! Coaxing Creativity Tuesday Tip, April 12, 2011

April 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Nature is bursting with color and by going out to welcome all the fragrant blooms, we’ll find ourselves growing as well. Now that the rains have subsided the hills are a lush, vibrant green it makes me want to run thru the tall grass and  twirl just like Julie Andrews! Well, I won’t, but I love seeing all that color and dreaming up ways to recreate it somehow with a collage, a photograph or capturing it in the words of a story. It makes me feel alive and nurtured. Soon, the flower fields will be a riot of color and I can’t wait to see how I’ll be inspired.

What do you do to welcome spring?

Filed Under: Coaxing Creativity Tues Tip, collage, Creativity, General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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