Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] My story matters…

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My story matters…

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 – My story matters... 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

Your heart and your purpose…

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Here we are well past Labor Day Weekend saying goodbye to the summer, and pondering the last quarter of the year. Many folks are fretting about what goals they will strive for in 2019 when the current year has lots of room for success. Have you taken the time to reflect on the past year’s events up to this point? What needs attention, requires you to make changes, or decisions to guide you in living a life unleashed and being on purpose.

I know that people will only change when the behaviors that they have been using stops getting them the results that they want. The discomfort of the past must be great enough for the person to want to change the future. When we set our goals for the future and aim to be more on purpose with who we want to be, we need to see and feel the past as uncomfortable.

For me, living on purpose means to break my silence, rewrite my story from my perspective as only I can and telling my truth.

Nobody can tell my story but me. 

Nobody can tell YOUR story but YOU!

The truth is that you can rewrite the stories and unleash your true purpose in this life. You can ransom the gift you are to the world. 

The seeds of serving and seeing each other are planted within us. I believe that you do not labor when you are living your life on purpose and serve from your heart. I see us all having the same dream. We are all citizens in action every day to make the world a better place for all of us regardless of race, creed, color, age or religion. 

Every story is connected to the heartbeat of the world. We are each connected to one another on purpose from the heart.

photo credit:  Dreamstime.com

[Friday Five-Minute Writing Prompt] Loving what is…

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Loving what is…

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 – Loving what is... 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 [Testimonial]

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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 give a testimonial. Sing the praises of your favorite someone or something. It can have a direct connection to your industry – or just something you happen to have found that has rocked your world. Maybe it’s a particular hand lotion that you can’t live without, or a type of vitamin that has improved your energy level. Maybe it’s an exercise routine, or a yoga pose that since you have made it a part of your regular routine, you have been sleeping better and waking up refreshed.

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!

 

 

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Have you ever had the experience where something was not right with a situation, but you just couldn’t put your finger on what exactly was wrong?

Recently, I was driving home after an evening networking meeting. My mind was filled with conversations I’d had, the plans I’d made to follow-up with new colleagues and the points the speaker had made in her talk. I knew the road home very well, but I had a nagging feeling something was wrong.

Maybe I had a burnt out headlight? Shouldn’t I have a warning on my dash somewhere? This car tells me if I need to change the oil, or if I don’t have my seatbelt fastened and if a door is ajar; certainly, it should tell me if I have a burned out headlight. Nothing is lit up.

As I pull into my garage, I realize the something wrong. I was shocked to discover that I’d driven home at 9 p.m. at night without having my headlights ON.

Earlier in the week, I took my car in for an oil change and ended up having some other maintenance performed. Somewhere during the course of that maintenance, they must have changed my settings for my headlights from AUTO to OFF. It never occurred to me to switch on my headlights when I got into the car because I had chosen the AUTO setting when I took possession of the car and never thought about it again. I expected the lights to come on automatically when I was driving my car and needed to have lights.

Now that I’ve had a little time to think about it, I’m aware of the other areas in my life where I’ve gotten used to the automatic choices I’ve made. Areas where I’ve stopped paying attention and took for granted.

I managed to find my way home because of lights on other vehicles and along the roadway. What if I hadn’t known what to expect along the route I took home? How much more difficult it would have been for me to feel my way in the dark.

Consider how challenging it is to find our way in life when we do not shine our light out into the world. Yes, I realize that it is comfortable and less scary staying in the shadows and doing things on Auto Pilot. What if, you shining your light, sharing your gifts, unleashing your story…you being ON…is exactly what someone else is looking for? They have had so many lights turned OFF and now are counting on your light to help them find their way.

Be the light!