Your Writing Mentor

Mary Knippel

Buy new pencils – Coaxing Creativity Tip Aug. 23, 2011

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School is starting in many areas and so the back-to-school sales are in full swing. Whether you have someone going back to school or not, take advantage of the sales and stock up on pens, pencils, paper, and glue sticks. Instead of a No. 2 pencil or Blic Blue, try colored pens and pencils or even zebra striped erasers to add a bit of whimsy to your desk. I’m addicted to purple ink and so my journals have a variety of shades of from lilac to deep purple hues. Speaking of journals, pick up a few of them with your favorite character, or cartoon to record your thoughts and dreams. Or, collage on a plain notebook and use that as inspiration every time you sit down to write. Treat yourself to notepads with pretty flowers or bright colors to give your reminder notes an extra dash of life. Instead of the plastic stacker on your desk, try a wicker basket to hold all those papers you have yet to deal with.

What do you think? Any of these sound like fun? Please let me  know if any of these ideas sparked a change in you.

 

List making as a writing tool

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I love lists. I could make a list about making lists! They are not just “Honey Do” lists around the house, or remembering to buy milk and eggs at the grocery store. A list is a valuable tool and asset in your writing. Lists help us organize our thoughts and add structure to a free form activity. Lists keep us grounded, without inhibiting the creative process. However, I need to use caution and I advise you to do the same. Writing about everything I think I need to do and trying to cram it all into my schedule, can lead to overwhelm and ultimately a full out shutdown. Nevertheless, list making is a way for me to combine left-brain and right-brain activities. My analytical left-brain enjoys exploring new concepts and figuring things out. My creative right-brain is delighted to have new ideas to digest and incorporate. I have less stress and am more productive when I work from a list.

Make a list the next time you are stuck on a writing project. List the bullet points of the argument you want to make. List your chapter headings. List your key words/phrases which convey your core message. Do a free write about your subject and number every new thought. Free associate key words in word clouds. Some writers create a collage of their core message and arguments, illustrating stories and personal antidotes on different colored sticky notes. They arrange the colored paper on a board, floor, or desktop until they are happy with the flow of the presentation. During editing, I’ve been known to make a print out and then cut up my work so that I could rearrange the whole piece. Experiment and see what feels right for you. Perhaps it is one method over the others, or a combination of them.

Sometimes, after you’ve made your list, your writing project is still not coming into focus. It can be frustrating when you don’t know what to do next. Your Writing Mentor would be happy to discuss your writing challenge. Contact me at mary@yourwritingmentor.com to schedule a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your web site copy, blog posts, or newsletter articles.

Mary E. Knippel, Your Writing Mentor, is a creative professional with 25 years of extensive writing experience. Using her skills as a free-lance writer, editor, speaker and workshop facilitator, Mary encourages reluctant writers to embrace their writing potential and address their writing challenges with fun and flair. For the past three years, she has been the Independent Editor Coordinator (aka Book Doctors) for the San Francisco Writers Conference, where professional editors advise fledgling writers. Recently, she participated as a panelist for the Northern California Storybook Festival and the Bay Area Film Festival. She is an active member of many professional writing organizations and past board member of such non-profits as the Women’s National Book Assn-San Francisco and the California Writers Club-Peninsula Branch.

Creating with collage and free-form writing at the San Mateo County Fair

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Mary E. Knippel, Writing Mentor, speaking to workshop participans at June 17 San Mateo County FairI recently had the pleasure of leading a creativity workshop at the San Mateo County Fair. We spent a very lively two hours creating fascinating art in traditional written word and story form through collage. In the making of the collage, participants tore up magazines, glued down images, and layered pictures on paper to reveal some amazing stories without words.

The free-form writing experience was a way to get the words down as fast as possible without worrying about organization or editing. During this 5-minute timed writing exercise, participants simply kept their hand moving along the page to allow the words to come through them. Sometimes when you don’t feel like writing, yet have a “need” to do so, free-form writing may be your way to get started.

Simply set the timer for five minutes (or any timed amount you choose), pick up your pen, or open a word document and go. Don’t think about what is coming up, why you keep coming back to the same subject, question, or comment. Just keep your pen/fingers moving. Think of the exercise as a way to get things moving creatively speaking. You wouldn’t just put on your running shoes and go out on the track at your fastest pace would you? No, you would stretch and warm up. Think of free-form writing as a way to warm up for whatever it is you are preparing to write.

Literary pursuits may not be the first thing you think of when you think of the county fair, but I’m sure there have been many pieces of great writing which began in country settings. I know there were all kinds of writing from classic novels to Sunday comics, from New York Times best sellers to teenage magazines, read in the secret sanctuary of our barn’s hayloft. My dreams of becoming a writer began there among the straw bales and the sounds of clucking chickens and bellowing cows.

Where did you learn to love to read and write?

Indulge your sweet tooth – Coaxing Creativity Tuesday Tip June 14, 2011

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I’m heading off to the San Mateo County Fair this week so my thoughts are turning to feasting with all the senses,  touch, scent, sight, sound and taste, at the fair. Walking through the main gate our senses are engulfed with distinctive aromas. Having grown up on a farm, I’m familiar with the earthy odors as well as mouth watering smells coming from the various food vendors. Eating at the fair is a very important part of this sensor experience. The last time I was at the Minnesota State Fair the latest deep fried offering was a Snickers candy bar. Surprisingly, it still tasted like a Snickers.

Of course, the Coaxing Creativity Workshop I’m facilitating as part of the California Writers Club Literary Event, is a completely calorie free experience! We will engage sight with all the enticing magazine images, sound when we rip those pages apart, and touch with all the textures of the paper.

June is National Candy Month. I think I’ll treat myself to a bag of  tiny sugar doughnuts at the fair in observance of the designation. Right after I host the Coaxing Creativity Workshop, of course!

What is your favorite fair treat?

Coaxing Creativity Workshop June 17 = Free Family Fun at the San Mateo County Fair

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It’s county fair time and an opportunity for some serious summer entertainment. When I was little, the merry-go-round was my kind of ride; one gentle speed going around in circles. My in-laws used to plan their trip around the Midway so they can ride the Ferris wheel at dusk to see the swirls of carnival lights. My daughter and my husband like roller coasters. Are you someone who goes to see the latest 4H exhibits, stop by to see the baby goats, pigs and rabbits, and the award winning animals. Or do you eat your way around the fair? Strolling from one deep fried food to the next. Tom Thumb doughnuts are my weakness. Whatever your indulgence, I’ve got a suggestion that won’t add calories to your fair experience and is guaranteed to deliver a refreshing experience.

On Friday, June 17, from 4-6 p.m. Coaxing Creativity and the Creativity Mentor (aka yours truly Mary E. Knippel) is facilitating a Coaxing Creativity Workshop. This is a free, a family-friendly event for ages 10 and up. (Kids, please tell you parents you want them to play with your!) This is a fun experience for the young and the young at heart. During the workshop, we’ll explore the secrets of keeping a journal and discover how combining bits of paper, glue, and magazine images create magic!

Join us Friday, June 17, 4-6 p.m. in the Expo Building by the Literary Arts Stage. I’ll bring the materials. You bring your imagination and a generous supply of enthusiasm.

Coaxing Creativity Workshop is part of a series of readings, presentations, workshops and special presentations during the San Mateo County Fair (www.sanmateocountyfair.com)  sponsored by the California Writers Club-Peninsula/San Francisco Branch (www.cwc-peninsula.org).

A little bird told me you want to attend the San Mateo County Fair for free! I have a few tickets to give away. Just send an e-mail to maryeknippel@gmail.com with Creativity Ticket in the subject line. The first three who respond will also receive a parking pass. Good luck!