Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] My 10 words of wisdom…

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My 10 words of wisdom…

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 –My 10 words of wisdom …
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

[Coaxing Creativity Tip] Listen to your inner wisdom

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ask.believe.receiveDo you listen to your inner wisdom? Are you among those who routinely have gut feelings and follow your instincts? Or, do you belong to the camp that ignores inklings or nagging feelings as indigestion and reach for the pink stuff? Because wishes and dreams are kid stuff. Like believing in Santa and Christmas miracles. 

Christmas is often referred to as a season for miracles. And there’s that famous Albert Einstein quote:   

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as if nothing is a miracle. And the other is as though everything is a miracle.

We don’t have to wait for Christmas to receive the wisdom of our intuition. It’s within our grasp every day.

How do I know? It happens all the time when I sit quietly with my journal. I often ask a question and listen to my heart for the answer. Yes, waiting for the answer can be a little frustrating.

In the era when I graduated from high school, the college track was not the norm as it is for this generation. Only a few of us had aspirations that required a college degree or specific education:  doctor, teacher and nurse. The rest of us would get a job and get on with the business of life. We were eager to make our mark on the world.

 Since then I’ve come to realize that we’d already begun the process of creating our legacy as soon as we drew our first breath…the story of our lives. Our legacy listening to our intuition and applying the wisdom we’ve amassed from the many life experiences that have made us who we are. Legacy isn’t the “stuff” we accumulate, it’s the stuff we do every single minute of every day. Our legacy is how we treat each other, our loved ones, business associates, Mother Earth, and ourselves with respect, compassion, and kindness. Sometimes it may take every ounce of creativity and inspiration to keep our stuff together for this challenging part of our story, but having faith that whatever is bugging us will pass helps us to stay focused on living our beautiful legacy of the story of a life well-lived.

My legacy is sharing ongoing stories…my own and helping you share yours.

What will the record of your life journey look like?

What is your story? 

photo credit:  Dreamstime.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Talking to my wise inner self…

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Talking to my wise inner self…

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 –Talking to my wise inner self …
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

Do you labor over your writing?

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We just celebrated Labor Day and I’m wondering how you feel about writing? Is it a labor of love? Is it a lot of labor with very little love returned? Or is it something you long to do and never seem to find the time to do it?

The responses I often hear are: “Yes, I want to write!”  “When I sit down to write the time just flies by.” “I want to write but find it difficult to carve out when I will actually write!”

This month’s free training addresses how you can find the time to accomplish your writing goals. We will focus on a combination of creativity and accountability along with inspiration, and compassion for the vulnerability writing your story brings to each of us. The goal of this training is to bring you support to stimulate your efforts of engagement and to compel you forward.

The September Free Training takes place on Sept. 8 at 2:30 p.m. (Pacific) live stream on my Facebook page (maryeknippel.author), Youtube (maryeknippel) and LinkedIn (maryeknippel). No need to preregister, just show up on any of those platforms to join the training live.

One solution to this dilemma of finding time to write is joining fellow writers in the Writing Room. This sacred space offers an opportunity to gather with other creative souls as we write “alone together” every Tuesday morning from 7-8:00 a.m. (Pacific) in a private virtual situation. I designed this environment to support you on your writing journey. Bring your journal, morning pages, a specific writing project, and join us for uninterrupted writing time.

I begin our session with a short meditation in order to bring our heads and our hearts into the space. Then, I invite you to turn off your microphone, but leave your camera on so that we will feel supported by this unique community. We will have a little less than an hour of writing time and then end the session with you sharing about your writing experience, if you choose to share – no pressure to read or share here.

I’m serious about how you find time to write. Or, if there is another topic you’d like me to address during my free trainings designed to help new authors gain confidence and clarity along their writing journey. Leave a comment below so I can better serve your needs.

Until then, Happy Writing

photo credit:  ShelbyCohenPhotography.com

 

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Wisdom I’ve received from my intuition..

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The wisdom I’ve received from my intuition…

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 – The wisdom I’ve received from my intuition …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