Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Anniversary of the heart…

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Anniversary of the heart…

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 – Anniversary of the heart... 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

A story with wheels…

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What do the words “wheeling forward” mean to you?

Carefree times 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 the “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 “wheeling forward” 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 forty-five years.

Please share your “wheeling forward” story with me on my Facebook page  I’d love to hear from you.

photo credit:  Dreamstime.com 

and Florence M. Prescott

What’s your independence story?

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Independence, I believe, exists in the power of your individual attitude and creative spirit.

I believe you are a woman of independence because you possess wit, charm, and, an essential commodity often in short supply, patience.

Asserting your independence means being willing to stand alone with your convictions, hold firm to your decisions and be resilient in the face of adversity.

When I attended Spring Quarter in London as a college freshman at the ripe old age of 30, some thought I was crazy. First of all, that I had quit a perfectly good secretarial job to attend college full time. Secondly, that I would run off to London for three months when I was a happily married woman. Somehow, it appeared I was breaching married etiquette by choosing to pursue an individual goal instead of deferring and maintaining the pre-determined “wifely duties.” Yes, it did look like a declaration of independence because it was!

I was declaring that London was my favorite city in the entire world and I had a chance to spend three months there, in a study abroad program through the university. I made a dream of mine a reality. I applied for a loan and had the trip of a lifetime. My independence didn’t depend on unlimited funds or the cautionary approval of family and friends.

I’m curious…what is your independence story?

When did you declare that you were going after a goal and let nothing stop you to achieve that dream? Hop over to my Facebook page and share your independence story.

photo credit:  www.canva.com

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Freedom means…

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Freedom means…

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 – Freedom means... 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 do not write to be understood, I write to understand…

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I do not write to be understood, I write to understand…

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 do not write to be understood, I write to understand... 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