Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

Write Fast Tips from the Writer Unleashed [word cloud]

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Hi! I’m so glad you could join me today as I share with you a strategy to Unleash the Writer in You!

I understand the little voice that sits down with you when you want to write.

The voice may say:

“Who do you think you are?”

“How does your story matter?”

“Where is the connection between your story and the world?”

Here’s a strategy for all you reluctant writers out there in answer to those questions that stop you from writing.

My tip to WRITE FAST is to choose one word and then make a map or cluster of all the ideas related to that word.

It could be anything from a to z. Apples, for instance, you would put the word apple in the middle of the page. Then, start writing whatever words you associate with apples. Such as: varieties of apples, cooking with apples, climbing apple trees, Johnny Appleseed, recipes for apple pie, memories of Grandma peeling apples for pie. You get the picture. The idea is not a list but a cloud of images leading back to one word or phrase.

I just love how there are so many combinations of words we can use to express the meaning of what we want to get across. Our ultimate goal is to connect with our readers. We know we’ve succeeded when the essence of the message is seen with the eyes and impacts the soul!

For more writing tips, please go to http://yourwritingmentor.com to join my mailing list.

Happy Writing!

 

 

Bead by bead…

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Last week an enthusiastic group of women gathered around my kitchen table to take a deep dive into their imagination with very exciting results. We tapped into the realm of possibility and invited those unconscious voices, which always seem to be hovering in the shadows doubting our creativity, to quiet down and just let things happen during our Wonder Writing Workshop experience.

You may be wondering why I’m talking about beads at a writing workshop. Well, think about Jane Austen stitching up stories while she labored over her needlecraft, or Emily Dickinson mixing up lines of poetry along with delicious treats in the kitchen. With that premise as our foundation, we explored colors, shapes and textures of beads as we pondered the stories our hearts were longing to share.

While you are in the act of selecting just the right beads and arranging them in a specific order, your subconscious mind is free to bring to the surface the bits of your story, which you have been keeping hidden. That part of you that wants to be visible yet has felt it wasn’t time to surface.

Now that your hands are busy and your head engaged in decisions about the beads, your heart is free to speak to you. It may be a soft whisper. It may not be words at all. It may be a strong awareness that all of you need to show up to have the most impact on yourself and those around you.

Consider the parallels of the choices in the simple act of making a bracelet and what goes into the act of any piece of writing:

  1. Why is this project important to you?
  2. What is your story you want to share here?
  3. Who is your audience?
  4. How do you want your audience to feel?
  5. What do you want your audience to do after receiving the finished product?

Just as the beads combine to make a unique piece of jewelry expressing your creativity for the world can see, your words craft the story only you can tell…the story of you…to share with the world.

Give yourself the gift of creating a writing practice where you explore writing on a daily basis. Your writing practice can take as little as five minutes a day where you write in a notebook with a fast-writing pen and record your thoughts, dreams, worries, and wonderings. You’d be surprised how having this time for yourself will open doors to your subconscious you never knew existed.

Photo credit:  canva.com

 

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] It’s all or nothing…

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It’s all or nothing…

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.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – It’s all or nothing... 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:  SherieCohenPhotography

Write Fast Tips from the Writer Unleashed [favorite quotes]

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Hi! I’m so glad you could join me today as I share with you a strategy to Unleash the Writer in You!

I understand the little voice that sits down with you when you want to write.

The voice may say:

“Who do you think you are?”

“How does your story matter?”

“Where is the connection between your story and the world?”

Here’s a strategy for all you reluctant writers out there in answer to those questions that stop you from writing.

My tip to WRITE FAST is to pick a favorite quote and comment on why it speaks to you…what makes it significant…be sure to talk about who said it and why they are someone you find quotable.

It could be someone famous, or it could be someone in your day-to-day life. It could be someone you know very well, or it could be someone you admire, even just randomly encountered.

One of my favorite authors is Maya Angelou. She has so many quotable phrases, but one I use often is:  “People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” I just love how there are so many combinations of words we can use to express the meaning of what we want to get across. Our ultimate goal is to connect with our readers. We know we’ve succeeded when the essence of the message is seen with the eyes and impacts the soul!

For more writing tips, please go to http://yourwritingmentor.com to join my mailing list.

Happy Writing!

 

 

Make a Difference to All Children

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excited little girl

Let’s celebrate “National Make a Difference to Children Month” with a twist. I propose honoring your inner child as well as the children in your life!

Whether you have children, are an empty nester, a childcare provider, or simply appreciate there are children in the world, we were all children at some point. It’s not too late to nurture, mentor, and make a difference in the life of your inner child.

What did you long to do as a child that you never seem to have the time or energy to pursue anymore?

Did you…

  • create concoctions in the kitchen?
  • splash in the ocean?
  • peddle madly on your bike?
  • explore never-ending trail?
  • get lost in a great story?

Did I not mention your favorite?

You can still do all of those things…and more!

Don’t think it’s important to spend time with your inner child? As much as you want to always seem like you have it all together, sometimes you just have to vent, throw a tantrum and lose control. And that’s OK. It’s, do I dare say it…normal? Even necessary. She needs to be nurtured. She deserves to have attention lavished upon her. Show her some love!

When I was growing up, my mother used to can vegetables in a pressure cooker. I can’t tell you the scientific version of what went on. I can only tell you there was a lot of bubbling and hissing during the process. The pot worked magic by releasing steam. Give yourself permission to indulge your inner child to have that bit of grace make a difference in your life.She needs to be nurtured. She deserves to have attention lavished upon her.

Also, Kim Ratz, the founder of “National Make a Difference Month” provides 100 ideas or ways to make a difference in a child’s life.

And because I don’t want to miss an opportunity to encourage reading, check out this post “5 Ways to be a Reading Role Model” from Scholastic.

Photo credit:  Dreamstime.com