Inspiration & Guidance
Spontaneous Writing Exercise:
Guidance & Practice to Release The Critic & Learn To Trust Your Instincts
This is a way to practice not judging your writing, not trying to 'write well' getting out of your head and away from the critical voice.
To practice trusting your creative impulse and to write whatever's coming into your head in the moment- even if it's "I want to get up. I can't think of anything to write, I feel stuck. I want to get some chocolate..."
Keep your pen or keyboard strokes going. Remind yourself--This isn't the finished product.
The judgment, discomfort or chatter will pass in a few minutes.
Write without worrying whether the writing is good or bad, to allow you to discover and investigate without judgment.
Writing Preparation
Relaxing and slowing down allows you to listen within and connect to your muse and creative instincts.
Close your eyes and take a few moments to breathe slowly and deeply. Breathe so that your stomach expands, then exhale slowly, do this for at least a minute or two, to allow your mind and thoughts to slow down and to release tension.
Consider doing a slow neck roll clockwise and then reverse, then do a shoulder roll forward, then reverse and breathe into any other places that might be tight- eyes, jaw, mouth, throat, torso, etc
Finally-congratulate yourself for having a voice and listening to your creative muse which is always ready when you are.
For Optimum Results- Don't read ahead until you've done each step
In keeping with Creative Rites' anniversary, here's a writing exercise to mine that theme.
Writing Exercise: The Anniversaries You Keep
You can apply this exercise to: the present, a time in your life, or a person or character in your story
1- Make a list of important dates that you celebrate or honor.
It could be birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or- historical or whimsical dates-- for instance, some of my dates would be: the date of my very first solo-performance piece, National Pet Parents Day & the day John Lennon met Paul McCartney
Note-- it's fine if you only remember the month and year
2- Look at the list. You can either write about the portrait that emerges from your list of dates, or you can select one of the dates to write about.
Consider including why the date is important to you (or your character) and if there's any ritual or celebration involved.
As always if you go off topic, or on a tangent, see where it takes you
Write for 6 - 10 minutes, longer if you'd like.
You're welcome to share with me what came out
email - terrie@creativerites.com
In my workshops, we do an in-class exercise to spark ideas, practice releasing the inner-critic and help you investigate your story.
The exercises can also be tailored to a story or character you're working on.
If you like writing exercises to spark ideas or guidance-- I offer coaching and can tailor exercises for your writing practice or a project you're working on.
Creative Rites Services:
- Coaching
- Storytelling for Business, TED style Talks, Keynotes
- Story/Script Critiques
- Project Consults
- Creative Tune-Ups
- Dramaturgy
- Directing a Solo-Show
- Tailored Workshops for Businesses, Groups, Institutions
