Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt – Standing strong and proud telling my story…

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Standing proud and strong telling my story…

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 – Standing strong and proud telling my story… 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

Loving the Writers at the San Francisco Writers Conference

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I love writers!

Today I’m getting ready to head off to the 18th Annual San Francisco Writers Conference.  I’m thrilled, amazed and proud to say I’ve been a part of it since the beginning and only missed a few along the way. It’s been an honor and a privilege to mentor writers in my roles as speaker, Independent Editor and all-around volunteer for this inspirational event. 

Hopeful writers…tentative writers…boastful writers…confident writers…determined writers…anxious, excited and concerned writers. Anxious that they won’t make the right connections. Excited that they are with their tribe. Concerned writers that now that they’ve found their tribe and made their connection…are questioning will they measure up, have the guts to say what it is they want to say, and…will anyone else hear them when they do speak up?

This writer is pleased to report that someone had been listening…reading…to what I had to say. To my great amazement, I was the reason someone found out about this outstanding event which I have been a part of for many years. It was humbling to find out that I was the reason she was moved to come and volunteer to be a part of the San Francisco Writers Conference.

She read about it on my blog.

She read it here!

She made me feel like a Rock Star. 

I had made a connection with someone. Not just a slight passive connection…a solid, influential connection. She did something as a result of my writing.

 I am sincerely humbled and proud that my writing was of benefit.

But I didn’t do anything extraordinary. I shared information about what I was doing and how I was spending my time. You can do that too.

When it comes to that time that you are struggling to figure out what to write on your blog, write about what is going on in your life…how you are spending your time…causes you believe in…organizations you belong to…observations about your community…and how you are involved in a life beyond the office environment. 

Talk about how you connect with the world and the world will connect with you.

I’m connected…how about you?

I’ll be in the Independent Editors Room offering free 8-minute consultations for SFWC attendees. Come see me!

San Francisco Writers Conference

P.S. The 18th annual San Francisco Writers Conference offers something for every writer (and even has lots of free events). It runs July 21–24, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.
The hotel is across from the Ferry Building and next to the Embarcadero BART station!

Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt I’m Free to write my story…

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I’m free to write my story…

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 – I’m free to write my story… 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

Declare 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 as part of 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. And London is still my all time favorite city in the world.

That’s my story and the details are unique to me. That is just one of my stories because many incidents have contributed to me discovering and owning my passion for writing and helping others discovering their unique story.

  You too have a story that is equally powerful that demonsrates your independent spirit. I’m confident you have multiple stories that have crafted you into who you are today. Stories which share your journey through all the challengs life has tested you in order for  you to acquire the wealth of wisdom to become the woman you are today. A talented, gifted, compassionate and wise woman.

I’m curious…what is one of your independence stories?

What was one time you declared 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 Writing helps me understand…

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Writing helps me 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 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 helps me 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 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