Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Her story to be told…

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Her story to be told…

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 a computer. Please remember that typing puts you in another part of your brain. I believe you have greater access to messages from your soul with the pen to paper. However, if you are not physically able 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 – Her story to be told... 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

Let’s make history together…

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MEK product shotLet’s make history together! Unleash your story – Your Herstory.

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s talk about Living Your Legacy. Yes, I did mean to say Living Your Legacy because I think what we do in everyday life is just as important as anything we will leave behind. Polish your pearls…your words of wisdom and share your story…your personal journey…your HERstory. 

What is important to you right now? How do you spend your time? What are you passionate about? That is the Legacy You Live! 

I’m passionate about you embracing your story. Your story has value because it is your story and  YOU have value. The world is waiting to hear your story.

Writing is how I tap into my creativity and give voice to my message on a daily basis. I start my day with a pot of tea, my journal along with my favorite fountain pen, and a collection of inspirational reading material. Perhaps writing isn’t the first thing you want to do in the morning. If you find writing before you go to bed helps relax you, then that’s when you should write. Maybe grabbing a sandwich and your journal is your lunch routine. Great! Do whatever works for you!

Some folks find letter writing to be their favorite way to journal. Unsent letters are one way, Anne Frank addressed her thoughts to “Dear Kitty,” you could do something similar. That was her story. Tell Your Story. Don’t worry that you need a new program for your computer, or a fancy leather bound journal to record your thoughts. A notebook from Target and a Bic pen works just fine, or even loose paper and No. 2 pencil – just get comfortable and write.

Worried you won’t know what to say? Wondering how long you should write?

OK, here’s a couple of suggestions to help you get started.

1. Choose a time and block out an appointment with yourself on the calendar for about 15 minutes (you may want to increase it later, but for right now you will be amazed how much you can write in 15 minutes).

2. I encourage you to write long-hand to have a direct connection between your heart and your hand.  You may decide to write on the computer if that is the only method you are able to use, however, at least try a couple of longhand experiences for these intuition guided conversations.

3. Take 15 minutes and change your life. When your appointment time arrives, set a timer for 15 minutes, record the date and the time of day, perhaps where you are sitting. This bit of ritual is a way to signal your whole body that you are about to start journal writing. You could also start with writing a favorite quote or a short piece of poetry. This is your jump-start or priming the creative pump. 

Now…Just write! 

Photo credit:  LilyDongPhotography

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] My lucky charm…

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My lucky charm…

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 a computer. Please remember that typing puts you in another part of your brain. I believe you have greater access to messages from your soul with the pen to paper. However, if you are not physically able 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 – My lucky charm... 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

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] I had to laugh…

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I had to laugh…

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 a computer. Please remember that typing puts you in another part of your brain. I believe you have greater access to messages from your soul with the pen to paper. However, if you are not physically able 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 – I had to laugh... 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

Remember your legacy…remember the ladies…

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© Jrabelo | Dreamstime.com - Ready For Adventure PhotoIt’s your turn to remember your legacy…Your Herstory.

A 1987 Congressional resolution named March Women’s History Month, Sonoma, California first observed it in 1978! In March 1776 Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John, who was helping to frame the Declaration of Independence to “Remember the Ladies.”

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s talk about Living Your Legacy. Yes, I did mean to say Living Your Legacy because I think what we do in everyday life is just as important as anything we will leave behind. Polish your pearls…your words of wisdom and share your story…your personal journey…your HERstory. 

What is important to you right now? How do you spend your time? What are you passionate about? That is the Legacy You Live! 

I’m passionate about you embracing your story. Your story has value because it is your story and  YOU have value. The world is waiting to hear your story.

Writing is how I tap into my creativity and give voice to my message on a daily basis. I start my day with a pot of tea, my journal along with my favorite fountain pen, and a collection of inspirational reading material. Perhaps writing isn’t the first thing you want to do in the morning. If you find writing before you go to bed helps relax you, then that’s when you should write. Maybe grabbing a sandwich and your journal is your lunch routine. Great! Do whatever works for you!

Some folks find letter writing to be their favorite way to journal. Unsent letters are one way, Anne Frank addressed her thoughts to “Dear Kitty,” you could do something similar. That was her story. Tell Your Story. Don’t worry that you need a new program for your computer, or a fancy leather-bound journal to record your thoughts. A notebook from Target and a Bic pen works just fine, or even loose paper and No. 2 pencil – just get comfortable and write.

Worried you won’t know what to say? Wondering how long you should write?

OK, here’s a couple of suggestions to help you get started.

1. Choose a time and block out an appointment with yourself on the calendar for about 15 minutes (you may want to increase it later, but for right now you will be amazed how much you can write in 15 minutes).

2. I encourage you to write long-hand to have a direct connection between your heart and your hand.  You may decide to write on the computer if that is the only method you are able to use, however, at least try a couple of longhand experiences for these intuition guided conversations.

3. Take 15 minutes and change your life. When your appointment time arrives, set a timer for 15 minutes, record the date and the time of day, perhaps where you are sitting. This bit of ritual is a way to signal your whole body that you are about to start journal writing. You could also start with writing a favorite quote or a short piece of poetry. This is your jump-start or priming the creative pump. 

Now…Just write! 

Photo credit:  http://dreamstime.com