Weekly Writing Prompt — May 1, 2013 Edition

May 16, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

Writers!

Happy May Day!

May Day, the celebration of growth is where we start our prompt. I want you to pick about something that grows — a plant, a child, a government, whatever, and write about it. Show me its evolution — whether it was from good to bad, etc.

Just free write, don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, any of that. Grow your story. Grow your writing. Grow, grow, grow.

Sensing a theme here?

Want to grow more? Plan to be at our next work session, come to a writing cafe, actually DO your writing prompt….

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow…” ~

Lawrence Clark Powell

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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
Check us out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“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

Weekly Writing Prompt — April 24, 2013 Edition

May 16, 2013Weekly Writing Promptadmin

Today:

Grab it by the proverbial reins and ride it well.

Grab a notebook and pen (no laptops, my fellow writers). Find a spot in the sun. Soak up that vitamin D. Free write. Don’t think. Just write. Sit in the sun and write. Take 5 minutes, 10, 15, 30, an hour…however long you can mange. Do it.

Felt good, didn’t it?

See you all tonight at Writers Cafe at Sawdust Coffee Co. at the North Bend Outlet Center. 6 p.m. If not tonight, perhaps Friday morning at The Black Dog. 9:30 a.m.

**********

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“When we practice the art of close observation, we gain an emotional palette that has more shades, more possibilities, than the screaming extremes of black and white headlines declaring catastrophe and crisis.” ~Julia Cameron

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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

Weekly Writing Prompt — April 17, 2013 Edition

April 18, 2013Weekly Writing Promptjournaling, looking for a mentor, mining our lives, weekly writing promptadmin

My day (Wednesday) was co-opted by all the BE-A-RESPONSIBLE-ADULT-type things. Add to that oversleeping and the day was away from me before it even started.

So, your prompt is late. Things always happen for a reason. I’m guessing you needed extra time, too.

At any rate, I need to remind you all that the April 23 Workshop has been cancelled due to a special event at the North Bend Library.

Our next session is May 14 where we will be mining our lives for great writing material. I went to a terrific workshop last Sunday, which serendipitously dealt with the same thing — so now I have even more ammo to help you all. As we get closer I’ll ask you for RSVPs. Just put it on your calendar now. Following the 14th, our next Workshop will be May 28.

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Today’s prompt:

As you have been aware, oftentimes, I pull from my own journey in my writing life to help push you all along. This week I’ve been reflecting on my time with SnoValley Writes!. What I discovered is that its time for me to find a writing mentor. When I was back at University, I naturally had some mentors in my creative writing and literature professors. But, I’ve been out of Uni since 2011. I miss that mentoring. Although, I derive a great benefit in the form of inspiration and motivation from all of you, I’m seeking a very personal relationship with another, likely more experienced writer.

So I’ve been journaling about hoping that person appears. I want you to do the same. I want you to journal about a need in your life. It doesn’t have to be writing-focused, but it could be. You decide. What’s your most pressing need? Journal about it. Put it in the hands of the universe (God, Allah, Buddha, Odin — whatever is your bent).

Then watch for synchronicity. Ask yourself each day how and where perhaps things are moving in the direction of having that need met. Keep journaling about it. At our writing workshop session on May 14, let’s talk about it.

This exercise should take you about 5 minutes a day until May 14. Dig deep. Find that need. Talk to yourself and the universe about fixing it.

*****

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.”
― Christina Baldwin

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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

Weekly Writing Prompt — April 10, 2013 Edition

April 18, 2013Weekly Writing PromptSnoValley Writes!, weekly writing promptadmin

Busy, busy writing week!

We had an awesome workshop last night. Be advised that our April 23rd workshop is canceled, because the library has a special event. I would encourage everyone to do the following night’s Writer’s Cafe at Sawdust Coffee Co. I’ll be there and will probably have some exercises or be available for critiquing.

So next workshop will be May 14th. We’ll be working on “mining” our lives for creative stories. It’s going to be great. Please put it on your calendar.

And coming up tonight and this week:

Writer’s Cafe’ will be travelling this week to Pioneer Coffee in North Bend for a Reading and Book Signing involving SnoValley Writes! author, Jackie Fedyk and local artist Leslie Moon for their book, Agatha Hattie. Here’s a link to more info: https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/289260581205683/?fref=ts It runs from 6:00 – 8:00 with a reading and door prize each 1/2 hour. Hope to see you there!

Also, come and write with us on Saturday this week, the 13th, for the NaNoWriMo Writing Marathon. SnoValley Writes! will be shooting for 30 hours or more between all of the writers, so come and contribute what you can. You can work on any project including editing to be counted toward the total. We’ll be at North Bend Bar & Grill starting at 9:30 and will move to Pioneer Coffee from 11:30 – 5:30 or 6:00. The official NaNoWriMo event info is here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/marathon. You can also look for check-ins on our Regional Forum for Snoqualmie Valley on the NaNoWriMo site. You are welcome to donate to NaNo as part of this event, but you can write with us without monetary obligation other than an appreciative order from whichever cafe’ you are visiting.

My plan is to join at least first thing in the morning at the grill and then we’ll see whether baseball will interrupt before I come back and finish at Pioneer in the afternoon. You could do the same. Come when you can, leave when you must. Make time for your writing. We’re all hanging there with you!

And that, my fellow authors, is your prompt. Get out and connect with your fellow writers. Go to the reading tonight. Participate in the Writers Cafe on Friday morning at the Black Dog or the Writing Marathon this week.

Do it. You have my permission. You’re a writer. Go be with other writers, listen, read, write.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“A writer without interest or sympathy for the foibles of his fellow man is not conceivable as a writer.”- Joseph Conrad
P.S.: The snovalleywrites.org site is currently down. My server crashed due to a hardware failure. the replacement part then crashed as well. We got a new part, but now we have to reload everything and that takes some time (since we’ve been doing this for several years). Hopefully it will be up by Thursday morning. I’ll keep you posted.

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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

Weekly Writing Prompt — April 3, 2013 Edition

April 3, 2013Weekly Writing Promptbooks, MFA on the cheap, reading to write, stephen king, The Artist's Way, Writing Promptadmin

Greetings writers. I almost don’t know what to tell you since we’ve finished The Artist’s Way. I’m still digesting every thing I learned going through the book (for the third time). I very much appreciate the opportunity to have gone through it with all of you. I love your stories of discoveries, watching everyone move from “stuck” or “blocked” to creating like mad. Keep it up. Don’t give up on your morning pages, or your artist’s dates, or being aware of the synchronicity we’re blessed with as we plant the seeds of our dreams and allow them to blossom.

First up, announcements:

Calling All NaNoRhinos for NaNoWriMo Writing Marathon!

Join other SnoValley Writes! members for an 8 hour write-in on Saturday, April 13th.

Write for 2-4-6…can you write for 8 hours? Edit your NaNo from November. Get ahead on blog posts. Anything related to writing counts.

We’ll start at 9:30 am at the North Bend Bar and Grill for brekkie writing and then move to Pioneer Coffee at about 11:30. We’ll go through until 5:30 or until the last pencil rubs to a nub and the last finger crumples on the keys.

If you feel so inclined, make it official and pledge to the NaNoWriMo cause. Info here: http://nanowrimo.org/marathon

Please RSVP to sherikcarriage@msn.com if you know you’re coming.

Come when you can, leave when you must. Spring forward on your writing with us!

I am going to join all of you for as long as I can; hopefully you’ll do the same — come when you can; leave when you must.

Don’t forget, April 9, at 6 p.m. is our next Writing Work Shop at the North Bend Library. 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. We’ll continue our MFA on the Cheap lesson plans. We’ll be talking about marketing ourselves. Seems like perfect timing because I’ve been getting lots of questions about that. Also, it might serve to motivate me to re-invest into my own personal marketing. You all always keep me on my toes. I’m so grateful. Thank you. Be sure to RSVP for the workshop so I can plan exercises accordingly. Also, don’t forget to bring work to trade for feedback.

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Our writing prompt this week is actually reading. I want you to find a book. Read it. Then post a review of the book (hopefully it’s positive, but remember to be a positive critic if you have feedback that isn’t so good, yeah?), post that review on your blog, amazon, goodreads, etc. These are some of the best ways that you can a) learn to be a better writer; b) support other writers, c) encourage others to do the same. It’s a happy circle then.

**********

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
― Stephen King

—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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

Weekly Writing Prompt — March 27, 2013

March 27, 2013Weekly Writing PromptMFA, The Artist's Way, writing lifeadmin

Well, congratulations — especially to those that came to the workshop yesterday. We finished The Artist’s Way.

Now what, you ask?

Reread it on your own and do the exercises and tasks again. Continue to look out for synchronicity; do your morning pages; take your artist’s date. Keep doing the work.

Now we will transition into more MFA-style work. We worked on some of that yesterday in the workshop, too, concentrating on working against Writer’s Block (more accurately described as resistance). I’ll be pulling from many resources for this, and I’ll share them with you as appropriate.

But let’s start at the basics of a writing life. Below are some questions you need to ask yourself. Write down the questions in your notebook/journal and actually answer them. Give details.

Reading, Writing, Workshop, Community.

First: Reading. Do you read regularly? If so, how many books per year, on average? What are your top three preferred subjects or genres? List the last five books/magazines you’ve read. What are you reading now?

Second: Writing. How long have you been writing regularly? Do you have a project you’re focusing on? Are you experimenting with various things? How often do you write? Is your writing schedule regular or sporadic? (That being a writer versus being an author dealio we talked about int he beginning of the month).

Third: Workshop. Do you belong to a writing group or have writer colleagues who read your work? (and not just via Email — are you doing in-person stuff?) Do you participate in workshops at conferences or other live or online events? Do you take time to evaluate the feedback and implement what resonates with you into your work?

Last, but not least: Community. Do you have writer friends? Do you engage with other writers either face-to-face or online? Are you a member of any writing associations?

Any places where you’ve answered No is likely the area in your writing life that you need to give more attention to. Now make a plan on how to do that.

Alright Authors: Don’t forget the Writer’s Cafes this week.

And now your moment of Writing Zen: “Love is easy, and I love writing. You can’t resist love. You get an idea, someone says something, and you’re in love.” ~Ray Bradbury

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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

Weekly Writing Prompt — March 20, 2013 Edition

March 20, 2013Weekly Writing Promptplay, spring, tasks, The Artist's Way, trust, writingadmin

Welcome Spring! And Welcome to another week of creative recovery and writing focus.

We are in the throws of Week 12 of The Artist’s Way. This week’s tasks focus us on Recovering a Sense of Faith. In this final week, we acknowledge the inherently mysterious spiritual hearts of creativity. We address the fact that creativity requires receptivity and profound trust — capacities we have developed through our work in this course. We set our creative aims and take a special look at last-minute sabotage. We renew our commitment to the use of the tools.

Again, we’ll be looking at Trusting, Mystery, The Imagination At Play, and Escape Velocity. If you haven’t checked out the readings in The Artist’s Way, I highly encourage you to do so.

This week’s Tasks:

1. Write down any resistance, angers, and fears you have about going on from here. We all have them.

2. Take a look at your current areas of procrastination. What are the payoffs in your waiting? Locate the hidden fears. Do a list on paper.

3. Sneak a peek back at Week One, Core Negative Beliefs (page 30). Laugh. Yes, the nasty critters are still there. Note your progress. Read yourself the affirmations on pages 36 and 37. Write some affirmations about your continued creativity as you end the course.

4. Mend any mending.

That’s all for this week.

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Remember Next Tuesday is our next Workshop at the North Bend Library Meeting Room. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please RSVP if you plan to be there so I may plan accordingly. Certain exercises don’t work with certain numbers. So, it’s always helpful to me from a planning and logistical point to know how many folks will be there. Be sure to bring some work to exchange. Feedback is one of the most critical things we can receive from SnoValley Writes! participation. As always, be sure to bring something to write on/with (notebook & pen, or laptop).

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Don’t forget, we have three separate writing cafes for you to set aside writing time and network with other local authors. Plan on attending at least one this week.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music — the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” ~Henry Miller.

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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

Weekly Writing Prompt — March 13, 2013 Edition

March 13, 2013Weekly Writing Promptdo the work, loving action, nurturing, steven pressfield, The Artist's Way, the war of artadmin

Good Morning Authors!

I’m returning to putting this all in an email because the response has been that going to the Web site first has been difficult for some folks. It will still appear on the Web site; however, we’ll have it in our mailing list as well (again.)

dothework_book — Are you doing the work to be an author?

Workshop last night was great. At least, I thought so. So sorry that some of you missed it. I do need to correct some information from last night. I gave the wrong author name for a book out there. My apologies. It is Steven PRESSFIELD, not Presser. My apologies. You can find his two great books about writing that I was talking about:

Do The Work & The War of Art.

I encourage you all to read it. Unless you’re catching up on THE ARTIST’S WAY. Do that first. Then check out Mr. Pressfield’s stuff.

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We’re finishing up the last of Week 11. We had fun with some of the exercises and tasks last night in the work shop, as well as discussing moving from being a Writer to being an Author. Some of us are going to get an email and/or a letter to our inner artist. What fun! Looking to receiving mine.

Here’s your tasks for today (this week), from page 191 in Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way.

Most of what we’re doing is lots of examination, introspection and reflection. So take the time to do these exercises and really spend the energy that you do as a writer thinking — and think about these things:

9. Once more, reexamine your God concept. Does your belief system limit or suport your creative expansion? Are you open minded about altering your concept of God (the Great Creator? The Energy of the Universe?

10. List ten examples of personal synchronicity that support the possibility of a nurturing creative force.

(For those that need a reminder of what personal synchronicity looks like, here’s a reminder: http://artistswaypages.blogspot.com/2010/10/synchronicity-fairy_1297.html)

I have found that personal synchronicity increases (or at least my ability to recognize it) when I’ve done my morning pages and explored areas in my life that are needing nurturing and loving action. Amazing how much positive energy those morning pages produce. Are you doing your morning pages? How about the loving action to give yourself an artist date? Those in the workshop yesterday were given the task to plan one week’s worth of nurturing for themselves. This means one concrete, loving action every single day for one week, even allowing yourself to binge on loving yourself, pampering yourself, even dreaming of the ultimate week of nurturing and pampering yourself. It can be something as simple as going for a walk, instead of eating your lunch at a cubicle. The next day replacing your beat up notebook that holds your morning pages and only has a few pages left with a beautiful one covered in Octopuses because dang it you love those silly creatures. Or even allowing yourself to buy a favorite childhood treat (how many licks does it take to get to the center of the Tootsie Pop?). You get the picture. Now go and do it. Be nurturing to yourself and your inner artist.

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Don’t forget Writer’s Cafe at Sawdust Coffee in North Bend beginning at 6 p.m. until about 9 p.m.

Next cafe is the Day Trippers gathering at The Black Dog in Snoqualmie on Friday at 9:30 a.m.

And Monday Muse is still alive at Pioneer Coffee at 11 a.m. (I’m even going to make an honest change effort to send out a reminder).

**********

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.” ~Albert Einstein

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

“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

Weekly Writing Prompt — March 6, 2013 Edition

March 6, 2013Weekly Writing Promptagatha hattie queen of the night, creativity notebook, jacquelyn fedyk, Julia Cameron, leslie nan moon, north bend, sense of autonomy, SnoValley Writes!, The Artist's Way, work session, writing work shopadmin

Writers:

Greetings to you. The frogs serenaded me last night; the birds awoke me with their songs.

Spring is here. It will fight an epic battle for the next few weeks with Old Man Winter. But she is here. There is a sense of newness in the air (I moved my winter greens to their Spring-time beds), and I saw a doe and fawn early this morning. It’s all right here in front of us. But, sometimes I think we let the world and all its troubles detract us from the goodness and beauty right in front of us. I hope you have a chance to pause and reflect and allow the goodness and beauty to seep into you.

Enjoying life doesn’t mean there isn’t work, however. But, when it’s writing work, creative work, it doesn’t feel like work, right?

Today we continue making our way through the very last of The Artist’s Way.

Today’s task is this:

Build yourself a special creativity notebook. Number pages one through seven. Give one page each to the following categories: health, possessions, leisure, relationships, creativity, career, and spirituality. With no thought as to practicality, list ten wishes in each area. All right, it’s a lot. Let yourself dream a little here.

That’s it. No other task this week from us. Just do that one. But you do have an opportunity tonight at the Writer’s Café at Sawdust Coffee in North Bend, beginning at 6 p.m. to complete this task/prompt/creative nudge.

If you don’t have an artist’s date planned this week, please consider supporting one of our fellow writers and artists in the valley by attending a book launch/signing in North Bend.

Agatha Hattie – Queen of the Night, written by our own Jacquelyn Fedyk and illustrated by local favorite artist, Leslie Nan Moon are being hosted by Selah Gifts on Saturday, March 9^th, at Noon until 2 p.m. There will be a reading, signing, and definitely a chance for you to acquire as many copies of this great children’s book. Please consider setting aside some time to support them. For more information, please visit http://agathahattie.wordpress.com/

Next work session for the group is March 12 at the North Bend Library at 6 p.m. Hope to see you all there.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“To keep the body in good health is a duty…Otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” ~Buddha

Weekly Writing Prompt — February 27, 2013 Edition

February 27, 2013Weekly Writing Promptartist altars, artist's prayer, Basic Principles, creativity is spiritual practice, sacred spaces, SnoValley Writes!, the zen of sports, week 11, workshopadmin

Writers:

Great Work Shop last night. I can tell winter is wearing on folks as our numbers always seem to dwindle in late February/early March. Hope to see more of you on March 12.

We are now on Week 11 of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s clear folks are really beginning to recover their creativity and be good to their inner artist. That’s fantastic and what it’s all about.

In this chapter we focus on our artistic autonomy. We examine the ongoing ways in which we must nurture and accept ourselves as artists. We explore the behaviors that can strengthen our spiritual base and, therefore, our creative power. We take a special look at the ways in which success must be handled in order that we not sabotage our freedom.

We will be working on acceptance of self as an artist. I’ve had you do this exercise before, but we’ll do it again.

Say these words a loud: “I am an artist.”

Again.

Once more, and with feeling!

Awesome.

Oh, you didn’t do it.

Turn around and do it. Excuse yourself to a private place, if necessary. But say, “I am an artist.” And say it out loud for your own ears to hear three times.

We’ll be focusing on how success is creativity. How creativity is a spiritual practice.

We’ll be focusing on what Cameron calls “The Zen of Sports.” Basically that’s doing things like walking, or running, or a Zumba class to get the brain waves into a zone that allows for open channels to creativity.

We’ll be looking at building an artist’s altar. We just said that creativity is a spiritual practice. You’ll need to create some “rituals” towards your creativity. Some of you may already have them. Some of you maybe just need permission to building these spaces and actions. Some of you just need to know this is a part of The Artist’s Way.

Tasks:

Tape your own voice reading the Basic Principles. (See Page 3). Choose a favorite essay from this book and record that as well. Use it as a meditation. (If you do not have a copy of The Artist’s Way – just choose any inspirational essay. However, here’s some from Cameron that you might choose.)
Write out, in longhand, your Artist’s Prayer from Week Four. Place it in your wallet.

Those are the tasks for this week.

Those who went to the workshop – don’t forget: One lovely thing for you – just yourself – each day for the next seven days.

For those that didn’t attend the workshop and want to know what that is…be sure to join us March 12, so you don’t miss out.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes it visible. The moon develops creativity as chemicals develop photographic images.” ~Norma Jean Harris