I received an email today from my mother, in the postal (snail) mail. It was a printed copy of an email I sent to my dad in 2002, which although it came in time for Father's Day I was too sad to open it with my father's passing. In the last few weeks I have come up with a lot of creative ways to describe how I feel such as, "covered in molasses" for my sticky inability at times to leave the house or that I am wearing "vaseline glasses" to describe that under water feeling where you feel a little bit separate from the world. I've told people that I am raw. Raw like someone took that 70s Lava … [Read more...]
Playing 20 Questions to Get to the Soul of Your Creativity
Above my desk is this index card. How We Spend Our Time is How We Spend Our Lives There are so many things competing for our time and attention. I know I can heat up a can of soup OR make my own. Heating up the can definitely fulfills the need to get something in my belly but lacks the sensual pleasure of chopping fragrant fresh herbs, dicing up a nice mirepoix, smelling the savory flavor of onions caramelizing in butter. Consciously making a decision about what brings us pleasure is a constant calculation. As a writer who also owns a business based on the art and craft of writing I often … [Read more...]
Memoirs in Other Forms: Tattoos, Quilts & Art
Sometimes words can work magic, but it is an image that cuts through our conscious chatter and lands directly in our heart. In the genius book by Diane Ackerman, A Natural History of the Senses, she goes through each of the senses--the membranes between our exterior and interior worlds. Visual storytelling can be as simple as peek-a-boo (i'm here, now i'm not) or as complicated as the most recent splashy, animated blockbuster film. As the world grows more complex and we can enter new, unreal spaces (did anyone see Avatar in 3D and not see a dose of the future?) yet somehow the stories remain … [Read more...]
Starting a Praise Folder
There are so many times where I wonder if the work that I am doing has any effect. Or if trying so hard is getting me any further. I know there are many goal-orientated people who feel the same way, but I think that this idea of a PRAISE FOLDER is good for anyone, at any age. There are two aspects to modern culture that have been written about that I think are a big part of this phenomena: over/undermirroring which oddly I could not find a good definition for online so I will attempt one here) is where parts of society are overemphasized and mirrored back to us and other parts that are … [Read more...]
Free Video Creative Writing Prompts
Click here for all of these creative writing prompts! How to Write: How Did You Two Meet? Writing Prompt How To Write: Three Red Flags Writing Prompt How to Write: What Does My Body Want Prompt How To Write: Snapshot Writing Prompt How to Writing Prompt: Shoes, Meals, Coats and Handbags Personal Maps Writing Prompt NEW Prisms Creative Writing Prompt Writing Prompt: What Does My Grief Look Like? Song Lyrics Writing Prompt … [Read more...]
Revisiting Personal Mapping
I recently posted one of my prompts on the MemoirClass.com Facebook Group, and in fidelity to the group, I redid my Personal Map. My old one, if you would like to see it, I hold up in the writing prompt you can access here. So much has changed in the last six months. I have a full-time position, a fiance, and more resources but less time. I bet a lot of you have similar feelings: life is good, rich and full but still you have other dreams, tasks and ideas you would like to bring to fruition. We all have to start somewhere, and I think that was why out of all the prompts to pull out of my … [Read more...]
Thoughts on Thank You
"Thank you! You've inspired me today to pick up my writing again in a whole new way, something I've had in the back of my mind for a while now."--Kris Cahill This is one seriously crazy world---between plastic surgery saturating TV and "faux" advice coming from Dr. Drew, Dr. Phil and others it is painful to turn on the TV because at times, what you see is a reflection of humanity that is in a revolving door in a circle of hell. No wonder we turn to the antidote a shot in the arm of baby kittens, eagles playing with dogs, and pratfalls. But what I believe is that the only antidote is: … [Read more...]
Writing Prompt Wednesdays! How To Write: Snapshots Prompt
Yet another installment of Writing Prompt Wednesdays! This week I talk about how to write based on a snapshot or a postcard. Below, you can see me with a portrait I picked up in Spain in March which reminds me of my best friend from high school. Of course, that brings up memories! Try it out and let me know what you think. … [Read more...]
Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Shoes, Meals, Coats & Handbags
This prompt is an old stand by and seems to work for absolutely everyone---why? Because it captures the quotidian: Shoes, Meals, Coats and Handbags. Somewhere in your life you have had an experience with one of these things... … [Read more...]
Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Personal Maps
Hello--here we are once again for another installment of Writing Prompt Wednesdays. This week we are doing "Personal Maps" which are illustrated versions of your life. I have talked a lot on this blog about the map as metaphor for the imagination. I have been heavily influenced by You Are Here by Katherine Harmon, Peter Turchi's Maps of the Imagination, and From Here to There a book from the Hand Drawn Map Society. Try this one out and let me know how it works! In my class it was one of the most popular prompts I have ever used! … [Read more...]