Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Insecure Writer's Support Group

"The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!"


This month's question: Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? 

My answer:
I've been reading a terrific book: THE ARTIST'S WAY by Julia Cameron. The book is a 12-week program designed to help unleash your creativity. You read a chapter each week and then complete homework assignments and various exercises to help you tap into your creative power. One of the daily exercises is to hand write three pages of anything on your mind - even if it seems nonsensical. At first this was a real challenge for me, because I felt like my time could be better spent actually working on a current manuscript instead of hand writing random thoughts from my head. I quit after ten days. But then I returned and started over from the beginning, determined to fully commit and complete the program. I am now on week five, and I am learning how beneficial those morning pages are --- by hand writing the "nonsense" from my mind, I'm emptying out the garbage and worries to allow free flowing creativity to pour into my manuscript later. So, I must admit, the rewards of writing those three pages each morning has certainly taken me by surprise.

How about you? Has your writing ever taken you by surprise?

4 comments:

  1. Hello Margo,
    I was very interested in your post and it brought back memories of Dorothea Brand’s little book, Becoming A Writer and written in 1934. She was the first exponent of early morning writing and it is a brilliant idea, isn’t it. Good luck with your manuscript 🌹

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  2. Emptying out the garbage - I need to try that. Although first thing in the morning, my brain is rather empty anyway.

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  3. That's great that you're able to dump the "nonsense" from your mind. Sounds like something I should try that would make actual writing easier!

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  4. I have an aversion to journaling. My thoughts tumble forward at lightning speed my hand would be cramped in five minutes. I have friends who love keeping a record of their daily life. My novel has already been written in my head; I know the dialogue, see the action in great detail. Now I just have to start that first line, first paragraph. One day I'll surprise myself and it will pour out of me. Thank heavens I'm a quick typists.
    Blessings

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