Your Writing Mentor - Mary Knippel

Twelve Days of Christmas Writing Prompts [Day 1 Childhood Memory]

December 14, 2018 By Mary E. Knippel Leave a Comment

Hi! I’m introducing a twist on the Write Fast Video’s I’ve been doing. I’m calling them the Twelve Days of Christmas Writing Prompts. Every day until Dec. 25 I’m going to give you a suggestion on something that will get you thinking about how you can connect your story with what is going on in the world right now. This is a simple strategy to Unleash the Writer in You!

Twelve Days of Christmas Writing Prompts. Day #1: share with us a childhood memory about the holidays. What kinds of treats were only around this time of year? What kinds of activities did you look forward to? Who did you look forward to seeing this time of year? Did you travel to see them? Did they travel to see you? What was the weather like? Did you have special programs at school? What of these activities/foods/events do you carry on today?

We always had Christmas programs featuring the story of the birth of the Christ Child and beautiful music. Several times I got to dress up as the Virgin Mary. Once, I even had lines to recite. Pretty scary stuff for shy Little Mary. Most of the time, I was in the chorus and very happy being part of the group signing those beautiful favorites every year. When I hear “We Three Kings,” I always smile at the thought of my little brother striding proudly up the center aisle of the gymnasium, dressed in his brown robe and gold sash, with a felt beard on his baby face and a bejeweled cardboard crown on his head.

Our ultimate goal is to connect with our readers. We know we’ve succeeded when the essence of the message is seen with the eyes and has imprinted on your soul!

For more writing tips, please go to https://yourwritingmentor.com.

Happy Writing!

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Comfort and Joy wishes…

December 14, 2018 By Mary E. Knippel Leave a Comment

Comfort and Joy Wishes…

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 – comfort and joy wishes... 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: SherieCohenPhotography

Write Fast Tips from the Writer Unleashed [Traditions]

December 7, 2018 By Mary E. Knippel Leave a Comment

Hi! I’m so glad you could join me today as I share with you a strategy to Unleash the Writer in You!

I understand the little voice that sits down with you when you want to write.

The voice may say:
“Who do you think you are?”
“How does your story matter?”
“Where is the connection between your story and the world?”

Here’s a strategy for all you reluctant writers out there in answer to those questions that stop you from writing.

My tip to WRITE FAST is to talk about traditions around the holidays. The ones you grew up with, or the ones you have started since you became an adult. The ones you admired growing up and have adopted or adapted as your own. The ones you cling to and why. The ones you have discarded and why. Do you light the candles on an Advent Wreath or a Menorah? Do you enjoy ham or turkey for that special dinner? What ceremony signals the start of your holiday season? What are the sights, sounds and smells you associate with your traditions?

Our ultimate goal is to connect with our readers. We know we’ve succeeded when the essence of the message is seen with the eyes and has imprinted on your soul!

For more writing tips, please go to https://yourwritingmentor.com.

Happy Writing!

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Dear Friend…

December 7, 2018 By Mary E. Knippel Leave a Comment

Dear Friend…

Friday five-minute writing prompt

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – Dear Friend... 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: SherieCohenPhotography

Celebrate National Letter Writing

December 6, 2018 By Mary E. Knippel Leave a Comment

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone? Either cursive or printed by your own hand?

Think back to when you were little, what did you have to do before you could play with a toy or spend your birthday money? This is an activity brides have to attend to within a specific period of time or risk alienating family and friends. Do you labor over what to say and hear guilty admonishments in your head when you know you are behind in accomplishing this task?

Do you know what I’m talking about? If you guessed writing thank you notes, you are correct.

Now, I’d like to suggest you expand this activity beyond thank you for a specific gift…consider sending a note to say that you are thinking about someone, that you are grateful they are in your life, that you just wanted to say “Hi.”

Be a Rebel and turn your back on technology. Now, please do not have a panic attack. I know you could not live without voice mail and e-mail access 24-hours a day. I’m not suggesting that you do away with all your modern devices such as your cell phone, laptop, or iPad.

Reach out and connect in a personal and significant way with a letter in honor of National Letter Writing Day. There is no substitution for the feeling of pen on paper putting your thoughts on the page as far as I am concerned. Of course, as a lover of journal writing my confessing I love receiving and sending hand-written notes comes as no surprise. The next time you want to really make an impression, try sending a pretty note card or even a single sheet of paper with a few lines from you. It will be a gesture that is remembered. Perhaps even imitated.

Happy writing!