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Feb 16

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Use this technique to create a poem from your subconscious writing fragments

In my last post, I wrote about a writing practice that I was using to try to generate material for poems, essays, and even memoir. If you joined me in my quest to write from the subconscious, you may be accumulating some wild pages of words by now. So I’m going to give you the next step in the practice.

When you have about 10 or 12 pages, pull them out of the drawer and read them. Highlight, underline, or circle anything that looks interesting, tugs at your chest, pings your brain, or just seems downright weird. You’ll find some material that is boring, odd, and exciting. You’ll likely not even remember writing it. Read more

Feb 15

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Three types of writing groups, part 2

In my last post, I wrote about the benefits of joining a critique-style writing group. Another popular type of writing group is one that is focused on the writing.

Writing-Focused Group:  I’ve been involved in a few writing-focused groups, where we typically write to a 20- to 30-minute timer and then read our words aloud afterwards. Sometimes, I use prompts. Sometimes, I just write whatever needs to get out of my head. A Seattle-area group is run by authors Jack Remick and Robert Ray who are advocates of the Natalie Goldberg style of free-writing. There’s something about writing with a group of people that’s magical–to sit side by side doing the work helps me stay in the flow of my words.  Read more

Feb 14

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Try this practice to get into a subconscious writing groove

Do you ever write something, put it away, find it later, and think, “I wrote that?” I sometimes wonder where some of my sentences came from. I’ve decided it has something to do with getting into a groove and writing from my subconscious.

I ran across some pages like these recently, and I thought of a stream of consciousness writing exercise I learned years ago at a workshop. It’s a good way to create pages of writing from  your subconscious and collect bits and pieces you can use to create poems, inspiration for an essay, or even fodder for a memoir. You can do this writing practice regularly or whenever you’re feeling knocked out of your groove. I’m committing to do it for 12 days just because I want a good collection of material. Read more

Feb 13

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Three types of writing groups, part 1

Joining a writing group was one of the ways in which I honed my skill as an artist and craftsman. Over the years, I’ve joined three different types of writing groups. Throughout the week, I’ll describe the benefits I received from each one.

Critique-Focused Group:  I’ve been a participant in a writing critique group on Bainbridge Island, Washington on and off for over 20 years.

The rules: everyone brings a poem or prose piece (up to 5 or 6 pages, or more if there’s less people). We bring enough copies for everyone in the group. We read the piece out loud and then remain quiet while the group silently reads through our pages again and marks them up. After 5 to 10 minutes (an excruciating period of time to listen to your pages being scratched up by various pens and pencils) the group begins to make comments–noting what they like and why they like it, along with any suggestions or questions they might have.

If questions are asked, the reader cannot answer–the group tries to puzzle out the author’s meaning together. When the discussion ends (anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes), the author may speak if they chose to. Sometimes, I may clarify something that’s been misunderstood or puzzling to the group. Most often, I just say, “Thank you.” It’s a great way to see what cold readers say about your work. Read more

Feb 10

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Three ways to find your writing people wherever you go

One of the best thing we can do as writers is have a tribe of other writers with whom we can share our work, pass on tips, and above all, talk us down off the ledge when we’re working through a difficult plot twist or managing a recalcitrant character.

After making several moves from one place to another over the past 20 years, I’ve found some good ways to “find my people,” wherever I go.

Whether you’re new to your community or not, if you’re looking for a writing pal or two or three, consider these ways of connecting.

1. Attend a poetry reading or open mic event to read your work and hear other writers read theirs. Read more

Feb 9

Three steps to free up your words and ideas

Writing is a lot like life. Some days, it flows like the Rio Grande—the words rush and tumble from our pen and we feel as if we can hardly keep up. Other days, we wonder where the ten-foot beavers came from that overnight built the dam that not only blocks our proficiency but our very ability to form syllables, put words in the right order.

I had one of these days recently. I felt as if my synapses were asleep, as if I just couldn’t find the words. Any words. They were gone. But I really needed to write the last poem for my poetry manuscript. And I had a deadline. So, what did I do? Three things.

1. Mind-map.  First, I drew a mind-map. With a mind-map, you only need to come up with one word at a time. It’s a great tool to use after you’ve had a visit from the ten-foot beavers. First, you draw a circle in the center of your paper and then lines or branches out from that in all directions.

I wrote the word “Sorrento” in the circle because I knew the poem was going to be about my trip there a few years ago. I knew the poem had something to do with language so I wrote that word on one of my branches. I drew three branches from the main branch of “language” and named them English, Spanish, and Italian. Then, I drew a branch and called it “sightseeing.” I drew a line off that branch for every statue, piazza, or shop that made an impression on me (meaning ones that I still remember five years later). Read more

Feb 8

Finetune your instincts for spotting writing ideas

I was inspired when I read my blogging partner Carol’s post yesterday about where writers find ideas. In fact, her post gave me the idea for this post. It made me think about where I get my ideas for poems, stories, and freelance articles. I think it’s possible to finetune your instincts for recognizing story ideas. Practice listening to the inner voice, the feeling in your chest when you hear something that pings your consciousness and tells you that you’ve found something you need to write about.

In case it helps, I’m sharing some of my ideas and how I found them.

Poem, “Bird Man.” This idea came from an encounter with an elderly man in the bread aisle at the grocery store. Read more

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