Lately, and this might not work for everyone, but really diving into cartoonist and writer Lynda Barry's philosophy and work. She helps when I am overwhelmed with material. Without getting into the weeds, one of her "lessons" or exercises to get writing and creating is to get out paper and a pen, and a timer. Take your subject, a noun if you have it. Me, I used "kidney transplant." Then list all the images that come to mind related to my specific subject. Try getting to 10. Take 3 min. Then, pick one image and answer who, what, where, why, how, what's the mood, context, etc. 3 more min for that. Next, tell us what's around that specific image. So for me, it's an actual operating room in 1999 during a kidney transplant that involved my mother and grandmother. I do my best to describe what's around from what I have read and interviewed and know, and guess (can always find the facts later). 3 min on that. Lastly, for 7 min, I have to write in paragraph form, and not stop. Barry instructs to doodle if I get stuck, but to keep going, keep then pen moving. At a minimum, this creates more lively scenes and sections of a story come more naturally for me. It may not work for every type of writing, but it does help me when I feel like a slug pit. The timers are the biggest key. Instead of feeling the overwhelming endless crush of time, or a distant deadline and time to overthink my writing, I have 7 min to make something, write words. Here's more on Barry, if you want to know more about her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmT4wLWksOw
A walk and a fresh, bright bouquet of flowers also does wonders for me. Also, if something is bothering/worrying me, just sitting down and writing it out so it's out of my mind and down on the page! And a gorgeous notebook really does attract me to write more.
I am not really too specific on pens/notebooks (though MUJI stuff is wonderful). I am, however, pretty religious about taking lunchtime walks. I live a block away from a beautiful park, and I do little laps around it most every day :)
Lately, and this might not work for everyone, but really diving into cartoonist and writer Lynda Barry's philosophy and work. She helps when I am overwhelmed with material. Without getting into the weeds, one of her "lessons" or exercises to get writing and creating is to get out paper and a pen, and a timer. Take your subject, a noun if you have it. Me, I used "kidney transplant." Then list all the images that come to mind related to my specific subject. Try getting to 10. Take 3 min. Then, pick one image and answer who, what, where, why, how, what's the mood, context, etc. 3 more min for that. Next, tell us what's around that specific image. So for me, it's an actual operating room in 1999 during a kidney transplant that involved my mother and grandmother. I do my best to describe what's around from what I have read and interviewed and know, and guess (can always find the facts later). 3 min on that. Lastly, for 7 min, I have to write in paragraph form, and not stop. Barry instructs to doodle if I get stuck, but to keep going, keep then pen moving. At a minimum, this creates more lively scenes and sections of a story come more naturally for me. It may not work for every type of writing, but it does help me when I feel like a slug pit. The timers are the biggest key. Instead of feeling the overwhelming endless crush of time, or a distant deadline and time to overthink my writing, I have 7 min to make something, write words. Here's more on Barry, if you want to know more about her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmT4wLWksOw
Oh I love this! I've never done such a structured writing exercise but I am definitely going to give it a try.
A walk and a fresh, bright bouquet of flowers also does wonders for me. Also, if something is bothering/worrying me, just sitting down and writing it out so it's out of my mind and down on the page! And a gorgeous notebook really does attract me to write more.
Fresh flowers are a game changer!
I am not really too specific on pens/notebooks (though MUJI stuff is wonderful). I am, however, pretty religious about taking lunchtime walks. I live a block away from a beautiful park, and I do little laps around it most every day :)
I have the little MUJI notebooks! Didn't love their pens though. Talking some walks throughout the day is absolutely necessary for me as well.
Pilot G2 pens FOR THE WIN. :) Me too.
Did... we just start a Pilot G2 fan club??