Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

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

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Finding 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 – Finding 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

Let’s go on an American Adventure

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August is American Adventure Month! There’s still time to plan your own American Adventure. I realize that we’ve been unable to really make the plans we wanted to make and travel the way we had been used to in the past. Consider this an opportunity to open up to your creativity and let your imagination fire up to see what can happen. Claim time for yourself on your calendar, then set out to have an experience you’ve never had before…or to revisit something you have not enjoyed for quite some time.

Growing up on a farm in Minnesota, our “vacations” were Sunday afternoon outings for a picnic and boat ride on the lake or river. We met my aunt, uncle, and cousins, cooked hamburgers, dug our toes in the muddy river bottom, and floated on enormous black inner tubes. The picture accompanying this post is of my cousin Marilyn, whom I adored, and little MeMe at Lake Hanska.

To this day when I get a whiff of the infamous thick white Noxema body lotion, I immediately see myself covered in the soothing goo all over my lobster-colored body. 

Did you go to camp? Did you go to summer school? Did you visit relatives in the city/country,  sleep on pull-out couches, and eat Grandma’s German potato salad while listening to aunts talk about who got married and who had a baby? Or did you attend annual family reunions? Now’s the time to explore the great outdoors picnicking or camping, relive your youth with cotton candy and screaming on the carnival rides at a street fair, take in Shakespeare in the Park or a concert under the stars, or go shop at the back to school sales and stock up on notebooks and pencils. 

Think about going out and exploring the unknown. Get out there unprepared and do some things that are new and fun! What have you been longing to do? What would take you way out of your comfort zone? Take yourself on an adventure!

 

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Writing is where I am…

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Writing is where I am…

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 –  Writing is where I am…
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] Writing is my legacy of truth…

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Writing is my legacy of truth…

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 –  Writing is my legacy of truth…
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

Estabilishing Sanctuary with Encouraging Words

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Mary "Writer Unleashed" Knippel at Hermitage, Santa Sabina Retreat Center
Mary E. Knippel at Hermitage, Santa Sabina Retreat Center

You have the cool, clear eyes of a seeker of wisdom and truth…Oh, I believe in you. I believe in you. 

Lyrics from the popular musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Have you ever received a note of encouragement in the mail at the exact moment you needed to hear positive words? 

My theme for August is Establishing Sanctuary. By that, I mean to focus on how we create an encouraging environment for ourselves wherever we are. Of course, our environment includes our physical space in our home and/or office. But what about our personal space? I’m referring to our headspace now. Our thoughts which ultimately dictate our actions. How do you convey to yourself that you are “at home” with yourself? How do you create a safe haven?

Does your sanctuary exist at all?

The photo above was taken at a place I hold dear and consider a physical sanctuary. I often go there in my mind when I am in need of personal sanctuary. Another way to claim your personal sanctuary space is with encouraging words. 

Today take out a pen and some pretty paper, a notecard, a postcard,  (an index card in an envelope will do) and write a sentence or two in praise of YOU! Not sure what you want to say? OK, write down a favorite quote, song lyrics, or a line of poetry. Something that will inspire you, gives you pause, or evokes a sigh of delight. Choose words that will invite you to come home to yourself. Words that both evoke and provoke emotion. 

What does “come home to yourself” have to do with sanctuary?

I’m glad you asked that. Think about the little turtle who travels with her home on her back day in and day out throughout her lifetime. She goes about living her life always knowing she can seek shelter and withdraw from the world whenever she wants by pulling her head inside her shell.

When have you experienced a time where you just wanted to get away from it all physically and/or emotionally?

Think about the Shelter-in-Place mandate over the last 1 1/2 years and how you responded. Was it a blessing in disguise giving you permission to slow down, or a severe challenge cutting you off from experiences that you rely on to nurture you?

I’m suggesting a simple way for your to embrace your own inner sanctuary with the use of encouraging words.

Wanna try?

I’d love to hear what this post has brought up for you.