Writers:
Ah, the rains have return. Our sun sickness that has us fleeing from our desks into the light is now over. But hopefully not for long, yes?
I’ve attached (below) the Detective Work Exercise we did during the Sunday Workshop so you can catch up to the rest of us.
For those who attended Sunday, you will already have these next exercises (as well as the Detective Work). This is part of the work we’re trying to accomplish to obtain creative recovery via The Artist Way (2002). So, I implore you to actually do this work. It’s fun. It’s a self-discovery. And it works. So don’t be shy.
1. Describe your childhood room. If you wish, you may sketch this room. What was your favorite thing about it? What’s your favorite thing about your right now? Nothing? Well, get something you like in there — maybe something from that old childhood room.
2. Describe five traits you like in yourself as a child.
3. List five childhood accomplishments, (straight A’s in seventh grade, trained the dog, punched out the class bully, short-sheeted the priest’s bed). And a treat: list five favorite childhood foods. Buy yourself one of them this week. Yes, Jell-O with bananas is okay.
Now, the below will be new for everyone, but this absolutely should be done before we meet next, which may not be until June due to Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekend (more on that later).
4. Habits: Take a look at your habits. Many of them may interfere with your self-nurturing and cause shame. Some of the oddest things are self-destructive. Do you have a habit of watching TV you don’t liek? Do you have a habit of hanging out with a really boring friend and just killing time (there’s an expression!)? Some rotten habits are obvious, overt (drinking too much, smoking, eating instead of writing). List three obvious rotten habits. What’s the payoff in continuing them?
Some rotten habits are more subtle (no time to exercise, little time to pray, always helping others, not getting any self-nurturing, hanging out with people who belittle your dreams). List three of your subtle foes. What use do these forms of sabotage have? Be specific.
5. Make a list of friends who nurture you — that’s nurture (give you a sense of your own competency and possibility), not enable (give you the message that you will never get it straight without their help). There is a big difference between being helped and being treated as though we are helpless. List three nurturing friends. Which of their traits, particularly, serve you well?
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So, our workshop meetings in May: The 13th and the the 27th are both holidays, Mothers Day and then the Memorial Day weekend. Historically both of those days are very low attendance. If you’re interested in still doing a workshop on those days, please let me know and we’ll make a decision based upon interest.
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And now for your moment of Writing Zen:
“Creative work is play. It is free speculation using the materials of one’s chosen form.” ~ Stephen Nachmanovitch
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DETECTIVE WORK, AN EXERCISE (From The Artist’s Way, 2002, pg 73-74)
“…A little sleuth work is in order to restore the persons we have abandoned – ourselves. When you complete the following phrases, you may feel strong emotions as you retrieve memories and misplaced fragments of yourself. Allow yourself to free-associate for a sentence or so with each phrase.”
- My favorite childhood toy was…
- My favorite childhood game was…
- The best movie I ever saw as a kid was…
- I don’t do it much but I enjoy…
- If I could lighten up a little, I’d let myself…
- If it weren’t too late, I’d…
- My favorite musical instrument is…
- The amount of money I spend on treating myself to entertainment each month is…
- If I weren’t so stingy with my artist, I’d buy him/her…
- Taking time out for myself is…
- I am afraid that if I start dreaming…
- I secretly enjoy reading…
- If I had had a perfect childhood, I’d have grown up to be…
- If it didn’t sound so crazy, I’d write or make a…
- My parents think artists are …
- My (spiritual center – God, Buddha, The Universe, etc.) thinks artists are…
- What makes me feel weird about this creative recovery is…
- Learning to trust myself is probably…
- My most cheer-me-up music is…
- My favorite way to dress is…
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What did you Write today?
~Casz
Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
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“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron