Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] At home in my writing…

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At home in my writing…

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 –  At home in my writing …
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 – Declaring my independence…

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Declaring my independence…

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 – Declaring my independence… 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.c

Destiny brings results when you say yes…

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Wheeling forward with Mary E. Knippel, Author
Wheeling forward with Mary E. Knippel, Author

Have you ever been presented with a situation that was both exciting and terrifying at the same time?  That’s what happened to me and how I have a motorcycle story to share with you now.

Can you picture yourself having a carefree time with the wind blowing your hair in all directions as you speed down a paved path towards a favorite picnic destination?

Or, careening down uncharted trails in search of a soft place to land?

July is Women’s Motorcycle Month. Many years ago I was invited to go on a double date with a new friend and her boyfriend. “We’ll go motorcycle riding at sunset,” she said. “It will be so much fun!” I agreed to the date, but didn’t reveal to her two critical details:  1)  I’d never actually ridden on a motorcycle, and 2) a more significant fact for me…this would be my first date.

I was so excited about a real date. I was also nervous about the motorcycle part. I’ve grown up around motorcycles, so I hatched a plan to gain some time in the saddle before the date and gain some confidence as a knowledgeable rider.

George H. Prescott, WWII

My father was part of the Army’s 4th Cavalry during WWII. No, he didn’t ride a horse…he rode a Harley. He passed that love of two-wheeled speed to my brothers. They shared ownership of a Honda. I had no idea how big that “bike” was in my future for the date, but I was determined to do some field research before I took to the open road. I innocently asked my brother if I could sit on his motorcycle. Instead, I got a motorcycle driving lesson, with disastrous results. I crashed into a tree, bashed in the headlight, and had to have 13 stitches to close up the gap in my knee. 

Your story of embracing a new experience may involve your own version of stitches…representing a hard lesson learned. The message I’d like you to take away from this glimpse into my history is that we must be willing to say “yes” to things outside our comfort zone in order to experience life…the sweet and the not so sweet. 

By the way, I did go on the date, although not on a motorcycle for quite some time. I guess it turned out okay…we’ve been married fifty years.

photo credit:  Dreamstime.com 

and Florence M. Prescott

Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt – Standing strong and proud telling my story…

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Standing proud and strong telling my story…

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 – Standing strong and proud telling my story… 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

Loving the Writers at the San Francisco Writers Conference

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I love writers!

Today I’m getting ready to head off to the 18th Annual San Francisco Writers Conference.  I’m thrilled, amazed and proud to say I’ve been a part of it since the beginning and only missed a few along the way. It’s been an honor and a privilege to mentor writers in my roles as speaker, Independent Editor and all-around volunteer for this inspirational event. 

Hopeful writers…tentative writers…boastful writers…confident writers…determined writers…anxious, excited and concerned writers. Anxious that they won’t make the right connections. Excited that they are with their tribe. Concerned writers that now that they’ve found their tribe and made their connection…are questioning will they measure up, have the guts to say what it is they want to say, and…will anyone else hear them when they do speak up?

This writer is pleased to report that someone had been listening…reading…to what I had to say. To my great amazement, I was the reason someone found out about this outstanding event which I have been a part of for many years. It was humbling to find out that I was the reason she was moved to come and volunteer to be a part of the San Francisco Writers Conference.

She read about it on my blog.

She read it here!

She made me feel like a Rock Star. 

I had made a connection with someone. Not just a slight passive connection…a solid, influential connection. She did something as a result of my writing.

 I am sincerely humbled and proud that my writing was of benefit.

But I didn’t do anything extraordinary. I shared information about what I was doing and how I was spending my time. You can do that too.

When it comes to that time that you are struggling to figure out what to write on your blog, write about what is going on in your life…how you are spending your time…causes you believe in…organizations you belong to…observations about your community…and how you are involved in a life beyond the office environment. 

Talk about how you connect with the world and the world will connect with you.

I’m connected…how about you?

I’ll be in the Independent Editors Room offering free 8-minute consultations for SFWC attendees. Come see me!

San Francisco Writers Conference

P.S. The 18th annual San Francisco Writers Conference offers something for every writer (and even has lots of free events). It runs July 21–24, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.
The hotel is across from the Ferry Building and next to the Embarcadero BART station!