Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Why I write…

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Why I write…

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 –  Why I write…
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

Business roots in family ties

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July is National Family Reunion Month. When was the last time your extended family spent an afternoon exchanging family stories about Great Uncle Dick (whose real name was Eli Patrick but he didn’t like that so he had everyone call him Dick), or how Great Aunt Betty forgot the sugar for the Kool-Aid and we ended drinking colored water – calling it our special punch?

It was a chance for the adults to catch up on each other’s lives and for us kids to get to know our cousins as individuals and not just names on a Christmas card. Seeing familiar faces and hearing stories about family members who are no longer with us links us to our past. This is where you discovered your love of adventure or decided you wanted to carry on family traditions. We learned how important it is to be proud of our talents while not getting too full of ourselves. We learned the value of hard work and the rewards of taking time to just enjoy life. Taking time to be part of the ritual of family gatherings to get reacquainted.

Covid 19 mandated that gatherings be banned until the crisis has been averted. It’s been too long since we’ve been able to gather the way we have in the past. But the values and the sentiment behind the family reunion are still strong. We have adapted and see each other on the screen instead of across the table. We have drive-by celebrations and make do with no physical contact 6-feet apart.

We adapt and we carry on.

That’s what we do on a personal level and that’s what we do on a business level. I believe our business roots are planted deep in our family ties. As Entrepreneurs, we are committed to serve those we are called to serve with the gifts we have been given.

My favorite way to serve you is at my kitchen table. I haven’t been able to do that for some time. As soon as it is physically possible, I’m going to host small gatherings here in my home once again. Until that time, I’m adapting to serving you online. I’m still me giving you my undivided attention with compassion and helping you find the clarity of your story.

This picture was taken at one of our many family reunions when I was growing up. Yes, besides being my God Parents, Aunt Betty and Uncle Dick are the individuals I referred to above.  We lived in a small town where everyone was related to half of the town and knew just about everything about everyone else. It was maddening and comforting at the same time. No need for the Internet when we had Party Lines and strong family ties. 

So for now, we must be content with online chatting, texting, and Facebook messaging, instead of fantastic real face time with family members. It takes organization to orchestrate a genuine family reunion with grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and various shirt-tail relations (as my Mother always referred to second and third cousins). You still can campaign for a more intimate gathering with the members of your immediate household. Suggest a picnic in the park, or trek to the beach for hot dogs and S’mores. If the adults are getting reacquainted…make it a bottle of wine, bread, and cheese while enjoying a beautiful sunset.

Use your imagination and creativity to come up with a fun activity. It doesn’t matter where you are, but you must leave your normal surroundings and eliminate the usual distractions.

Have fun reconnecting!

photo credit:  EAOverland

Yes! You can change the world with your words…

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Building a relationship online involves speaking in your own words and sharing quality content. 

What the heck does that mean?

Sometimes we hear an instruction like the one above, and we think…that doesn’t make any sense, or how in the world does an ordinary person like me find the words to write anything that would qualify as quality content?

 Well, I’ll tell you a little secret.

I’m using my words right now and sharing quality content (I hope you think it’s quality content). My writing style is conversational – just like my speaking style. By writing about something that has been a challenge for you and offering a suggestion and solution to your dilemma, I am providing quality content. 

What I think happens to so many entrepreneurs is that they are overwhelmed by all their business details. 

Do you have trouble doing it all?

Writing is a vital component of your business, but you may have been told that you couldn’t write somewhere in the past. So now, you are hesitant, reluctant, or even afraid of writing about your passion. And that’s what writing about your business is. You are sharing your passion with readers to help them understand why you are doing what you do and feel the way you feel. Not rocket science. Definitely, something everyone is equipped to do once you relax and allow the words to come.

Okay,  I hear you thinking…” that’s easy for you to say. People know you are a writer.”  I can energetically feel your resistance.

But think about this…what if because you expressed yourself, your thoughts and dreams, your challenges and solutions…someone else felt heard, you validated their thoughts, they felt someone else understood them, and as a consequence, they didn’t feel so alone. What if you made a difference in someone else’s life because you expressed your thoughts?

Regardless of what has happened in the past, you are a successful business owner who is in charge of all the elements of your business, including writing!

No, you are already an author. You are the author of your ideas. But there is the matter of expressing those ideas and moving them from your head to the screen/paper and sharing them with your readers.

Sharing your expertise, inspiration, and interest to you will be of interest to the people looking to connect with you.

Content ideas could be: 

  • how you and your business shifted and adapted during this global pandemic
  • how you searched for just the right picture to go on your invitation announcing your new product
  • how proud you are of the youth sports team you sponsor and can’t wait to get back out there with them
  • the fundraiser for your child’s school (volunteering is an important part of your life)
  • what is going on in your industry

…in other words, talk about your life and your business.

Change the world…build a relationship by having a conversation in your own words...share interesting and informative material about your life, which, of course, includes your business.

Whether it’s a book or a blog, a tweet or post, your words do have an impact. I’d love to know how these words impacted you. Would you please comment below about any new insight you received about your writing today?

Graphic credit:  https://canva.com

 

 

 

 

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Freedom to choose what’s best for me…

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  Freedom to choose what’s best for me…

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.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – Freedom to choose what’s best for me... 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 a spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and 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 your independence story

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So often, I encounter folks who say they have never done anything extraordinary so, of course, they don’t feel they have a story.

I disagree. I believe everyone has had life experiences that makeup very, very interesting stories.

Consider the concept of “independence.” That’s a hot topic in July. What if you thought about independence as minute-to-minute personal development for everyone beginning with your first breath as a baby down to your last as you leave this life. 

Independence in our ability to make decisions for ourselves, and to live the life we were designed to live.

Independence, I believe, exists in the power of your individual attitude and creative spirit.

I believe you are a woman of independence because you possess wit, charm, and, an essential commodity often in short supply, patience.

Asserting your independence means being willing to stand alone with your convictions, hold firm to your decisions and be resilient in the face of adversity.

When I attended Spring Quarter in London as a college freshman at the ripe old age of 30, some thought I was crazy. First of all, I had quit a perfectly good secretarial job to attend college full time. Secondly, that I would run off to London for three months when I was a happily married woman, somehow, it appeared I was breaching married etiquette by choosing to pursue an individual goal instead of deferring and maintaining the pre-determined “wifely duties.” Yes, it did look like a declaration of independence because it was!

I declared that London was my favorite city in the entire world, and I had a chance to spend three months there, in a study abroad program through the university. I made a dream of mine a reality. I applied for a loan and had the trip of a lifetime. My independence didn’t depend on unlimited funds or the cautionary approval of family and friends.

I’m curious…what is your independence story? 

When did you declare that you were going after a goal and let nothing stop you from achieving that dream?

Share in the comments how you have declared your independence.

photo credit:  www.canva.com