Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

[Coaxing Creativity Tuesday Tip] Make an “I love me” bucket list…

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http://www.dreamstime.com/-image7211296We are all familiar with that To Do list…probably way too familiar, where we never seem to get to the bottom of that list!

I’m suggesting a totally different kind of list. A bucket list usually refers to something you want to accomplish before you “kick the bucket.”

My idea is that you create a list of all the things you can do right now to show how much “I love me.”  Cut them into individual pieces of paper and put them in a container you can seal such as a glass jar, or decorative tin.

Choose an item from your list on a regular basis (once a week? every other day? daily?) to nurture you. Include simple indulgences such as a new nail polish color for your do-it-yourself manicures, or a new scent for your bubble bath. Include special treats that may take a little planning…a trip to a museum for a special exhibit or a attending a theatre matinee. Include a trip to the beach, a massage, some new reading material, searching for intriguing hobby ingredients. Indulge in a trip to a large department store make-up counter and get a make-over without spending a dime. Get out your magazines and glue sticks to make a collage. Write in your journal. Sit under a shade tree and read Jane Austen, or your favorite author. Play dress-up in your favorite store…or in your own closet.

It doesn’t matter if there are ten things on the list or 20. Just start one! Then make adding to your “I love me” suggestion list an on-going activity.

What will be on your list.

Make a collage

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Had so much fun yesterday spending the afternoon facilitating a collage workshop at the San Mateo County Fair Literary Stage sponsored by the California Writers Club/Peninsula-San Francisco Branch. Being able to introduce the magic of bits of paper combined with the attitude of whimsy to create a whole new picture was amazing.

The creativity was electric! 

The added bonus of the timed writing exercise to learn the impact the making, meaning, or motivation of the collage was exciting to watch participants write and then to hear them share their stories.

Cotton Candy, Carousels and Creativity

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What do all of these have in common?

Well, at the risk of tooting my own horn – me!

Do you remember how much fun you had going to the fair when you were a kid? Riding the Merry-Go-Round or Tilt-A-Whirl? Eating ice cream, carmel corn, and cotton candy? Maybe even a corn dog? Did you slide down the giant slide?

Come be a kid again at my Coaxing Creativity Workshop! It’s FREE and only thirty minutes long. A great way to get reacquainted with how much FUN you can find in just half an hour!

I’m facilitating fabulous & FREE mini Coaxing Creativity Workshops at the San Mateo County Fair on Monday, June 11 from 2-4 p.m. The California Writers Club-Peninsula/San Francisco Branch has coordinated wonderful talent from across the Bay Area to showcase their work on the Literary Stage throughout the run of the fair. I had an amazing time last year giving the Coaxing Creativity Workshops and I happily accepted the invitation to be part of the fun again this year.

While I will not be distributing cotton candy, I will some goodies to share with you along with lots of terrific ideas for you to savor to help you tap into your creativity. 

 We will have a great time riding the flow of energy generated by the sparks of inspiration and imagination from everyone participating.

Last year we had a wonderful turn out:  families, high school students, mothers and daughters, girlfriends, and fair attendees who stopped by to sample what we were doing. Come join us and check out what will we be doing this year!

 Come and play with us!

Great fun for everyone*

*ages 10 and up – no unsupervised children

unleash your creative side

catch yourself having fun

No artistic experience necessary – but be prepared to use a glue stick and connect with your inner artist! 

The Coaxing Creativity Mini Workshop sessions are only 30 minutes long at 2, 2:30, 3 and 3:30 p.m. at the Literary Arts Stage. I’ll bring the workshop materials, you just bring yourself and be prepared to let inspiration find you!

Where do you find your spark? Results 10.22.11

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Results of 5-minute writing prompt: Where do you find your spark?

Well, my spark comes from an enormous number of places:

  1. taking a walk
  2. visiting a museum
  3.  sitting quietly and watching a humming bird
  4. closing my eyes and going within
  5. smelling the lavender in my front yard at dusk
  6. watching an old movie
  7.  listening to music
  8. writing in my journal
  9.  hearing a friend’s voice on the phone
  10. trying a new recipe
  11. reading inspirational material
  12.  listening to a child tell a story
  13. visiting a craft store
  14. visiting a museum
  15. taking a class in a new medium
  16. trying out a new experience
  17. experimenting with new foods
  18. saying Yes to what I’m afraid to do
  19. exploring new areas around the corner, or around the world
  20. playing with collage materials
  21. cleaning out my purse
  22. flipping through magazines without reading them – concentrate on the images
  23. engaging strangers in conversation 
  24. attending live performances
  25. talking with my girlfriends

Step outside the box and Create Your Success Story – Writing Wisdoms #12 from Your Writing Mentor

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This week I gave a presentation at the San Francisco Professional Career Network Meet-Up entitled “Create Your Success Story.” I talked about using the stressors in our lives (losing a job, major move, catastrophic illness) to fuel our ability to change our story. Using the example of how I’ve tapped into my creativity to gain insight into how I could help myself, I invited the group to participate in a few exercises to engage their senses along with activating their imagination and intuition. Some of the “left-brain” thinkers were hesitant about the connection between playful exercise and job hunting. However, all of my suggestions were targeted to have them listen to their intuition and hidden dreams instead of the next logical step according to the business models. Take a look and the video and you can judge for yourself the results on their faces and the colorful collages.