Did you know how important it is to exercise your brain? I've been playing Brain Age and Big Brain Academy for the past year now. I started out as an oldie - in my 60s. But once I played more and understood the nature of each test it was a lot easier and I am now in my twenties (which is, like the body, the best shape to be in according to this game.) They promote a good means to building muscle in the brain.
Such practices include:
- Memorize
- Visualize
- Analyze
Try it sometime. Or just play some games to jog the brain a little.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Workout 12: Create a Mind Poem
Exercise:
Create a poem, but don't write it down. Memorize it.
Purpose:
Before the written word existed, we had the spoken word. This oral tradition made it possible to pass down stories to the next generation. Later, when the written language came to be, people wrote these stories down, and often the stories were a little "watered down" or artifacts had been changed (reminiscent to the game "Telephone.") Because of this, story is one of the oldest art forms that represent the uniqueness of the human race.
Help Desk:
Keep it short and simple. That's all the help you can get. How are your memorization skills?
Create a poem, but don't write it down. Memorize it.
Purpose:
Before the written word existed, we had the spoken word. This oral tradition made it possible to pass down stories to the next generation. Later, when the written language came to be, people wrote these stories down, and often the stories were a little "watered down" or artifacts had been changed (reminiscent to the game "Telephone.") Because of this, story is one of the oldest art forms that represent the uniqueness of the human race.
Help Desk:
Keep it short and simple. That's all the help you can get. How are your memorization skills?
Monday, April 7, 2008
Pen Jousting 1 CHAMPION!
Congratulations to Deane Madsen for winning the pen joust!
Stay tuned for more tournaments!
Stay tuned for more tournaments!
Stretch Break 11: Writing What You Know
Remember that quirky neighbor you grew up with? Or that health food-obsessed woman you work with? Just look around you and you'll realize just how many different personalities there are out there from which you can draw your inspiration. Lord knows I have a lot of them to draw from... one of them is me!
Workout 11: Interview your Character
Exercise:
Imagine your character and ask him/her several different questions. Write down how he/she responds to these questions.
Purpose:
To get to know everything about your character.
Help Desk:
Some sample questions would be:
- What is your favorite childhood memory?
- Have you ever been in love?
- Would you prefer peanut butter and jelly or bologna?
- Do you have any siblings?
- Where is your favorite place to holiday?
Imagine your character and ask him/her several different questions. Write down how he/she responds to these questions.
Purpose:
To get to know everything about your character.
Help Desk:
Some sample questions would be:
- What is your favorite childhood memory?
- Have you ever been in love?
- Would you prefer peanut butter and jelly or bologna?
- Do you have any siblings?
- Where is your favorite place to holiday?
Stretch Break 10: Write from the Soul
One thing I realized when I was doing this workout was that I had ten minutes left. With this much time I thought to lengthen the scene, but ended up making the scene worse. I thought, "sad endings won't sell in Hollywood." Hence, I wasn't writing from my soul. I was just trying to write to please others. But I've since learned:
1. Don't worry about explaining why to the audience, or if the ending is happy or sad.
2. Deepen the mystery and be cautious what you reveal. The audience will catch up.
And, if you finish the scene before the clock is up, either:
1. Introduce a new character or a new element
2. Go back and edit out what's not necessary
3. Stop where you are and start a new scene
1. Don't worry about explaining why to the audience, or if the ending is happy or sad.
2. Deepen the mystery and be cautious what you reveal. The audience will catch up.
And, if you finish the scene before the clock is up, either:
1. Introduce a new character or a new element
2. Go back and edit out what's not necessary
3. Stop where you are and start a new scene
Workout 10: Freewriting
Exercise:
Sit for 30 minutes and just write about whatever comes to your mind.
Purpose:
Just write from you muse, write from your soul. Who cares if this is published or produced. You're writing for you, right?
Help Desk:
Write what you know and who you know.
Sit for 30 minutes and just write about whatever comes to your mind.
Purpose:
Just write from you muse, write from your soul. Who cares if this is published or produced. You're writing for you, right?
Help Desk:
Write what you know and who you know.
Stretch Break 9: Successful Exposition
Some exposition proves successful, as in Shakespeare's plays. A character enters scene with information and tells about what happened without stopping the story. A few examples include:
- Hamlet - ACT I, sc. ii/iii
- The Tempest - ACT I, sc. ii
- Julius Caesar
Non-Shakespeare examples include:
- Monty Python - cheese
- Merchant of Venice - Shylock
- Hamlet - ACT I, sc. ii/iii
- The Tempest - ACT I, sc. ii
- Julius Caesar
Non-Shakespeare examples include:
- Monty Python - cheese
- Merchant of Venice - Shylock
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Away... Saving for Another Day
I've been away from the writing blog for a while. In many cases it is wise to put down something you are writing and just take a breather from it for a while... because, if you are anything like me, you get an idea and think it's the best idea ever, right? This, I believe, is why God gave us the gift of time. Set your piece aside for a while. When you get back to it, you'll see what needs to be improved, and you'll jump back to reality and realize that this wasn't the best idea ever. Sorry. But, if you believe it still has potential, pick it back up and maybe it will become a masterpiece!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Workout 9: Character Enters with a Gun
Exercise:
Write a scene in which two characters enter. One or both enter with a gun (a surprise.)
Purpose:
Disclose information with dialogue, not exposition. Have character enter scene and reveal information without stopping the story from progressing.
Help Desk:
REMEMBER: Argument is not conflict. Characters should be in agreement and work collaboratively to move the plot forward, even if they're enemies. As in courtroom dramas: whatever result we conclude, we'll agree on and abide by it (dramatic collaboration.)
Write a scene in which two characters enter. One or both enter with a gun (a surprise.)
Purpose:
Disclose information with dialogue, not exposition. Have character enter scene and reveal information without stopping the story from progressing.
Help Desk:
REMEMBER: Argument is not conflict. Characters should be in agreement and work collaboratively to move the plot forward, even if they're enemies. As in courtroom dramas: whatever result we conclude, we'll agree on and abide by it (dramatic collaboration.)
Stretch Break 8: One Idea Leads to Another
One random moment in your life can spark a whole new idea. When speaking with professional writers, most get their inspiration from random moments in their lives. Many times I get an idea in the shower or a character will speak to me while I'm bored to death sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. But mundane moments like this may unravel a whole scene for your play. A moment, no matter how minute or vague can unveil inspiration for a masterpiece. Once you get started with this list, you won't be able to stop. Let the mind flow with the moment.
Workout 8: Poetry II
Exercise:
Part 1 - Like the poem before this, write a short poem set in a mundane moment. Again, avoid using adjectives or sentiment. You cannot write about love, death, the sky, the sea, or anything pretty.
Part 2 - From the moment you select, write a scene set in this same moment.
Purpose:
To go from one idea to creating one for a scene on stage.
Help Desk:
Mundane moments happen all the time. We just usually don't think of them because they're so mundane. Describe you brushing your teeth, taking out the trash, washing your car, putting on boots, dialing a phone number, etc.
Part 1 - Like the poem before this, write a short poem set in a mundane moment. Again, avoid using adjectives or sentiment. You cannot write about love, death, the sky, the sea, or anything pretty.
Part 2 - From the moment you select, write a scene set in this same moment.
Purpose:
To go from one idea to creating one for a scene on stage.
Help Desk:
Mundane moments happen all the time. We just usually don't think of them because they're so mundane. Describe you brushing your teeth, taking out the trash, washing your car, putting on boots, dialing a phone number, etc.
Stretch Break 7: Finding Your Voice
We want to discover how to have a unique voice. We all know Shakespeare when we hear it. Can you tell the difference between a work by Joyce and a work of Moliere?
Richard Foreman comes from a peculiar place in theater. One trademark of his is his dialogue, which is much like nonsense. He forces the audience into self-consciousness, hoping to make the audience aware not of the joke itself but aware of why they laugh. For another example of unusual dialogue read James Joyce's "Finnigan's Wake."
A source of mythology seemed to abound in each of our pieces. We see the stage in peril. It's like the fear of death. How do you go? What will you do when the building's on fire?
Avoid dialogue that is:
- Pithy (brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse; forcible: a pithy observation)
- Maudlin (1. tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental: a maudlin story of a little orphan and her lost dog; 2. foolishly or mawkishly sentimental because of drunkenness)
[Note: definitions taken from dictionary.com]
Another playwright of note: Eugene Ionesco: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Ionesco
Richard Foreman comes from a peculiar place in theater. One trademark of his is his dialogue, which is much like nonsense. He forces the audience into self-consciousness, hoping to make the audience aware not of the joke itself but aware of why they laugh. For another example of unusual dialogue read James Joyce's "Finnigan's Wake."
A source of mythology seemed to abound in each of our pieces. We see the stage in peril. It's like the fear of death. How do you go? What will you do when the building's on fire?
Avoid dialogue that is:
- Pithy (brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse; forcible: a pithy observation)
- Maudlin (1. tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental: a maudlin story of a little orphan and her lost dog; 2. foolishly or mawkishly sentimental because of drunkenness)
[Note: definitions taken from dictionary.com]
Another playwright of note: Eugene Ionesco: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Ionesco
Workout 7: Gun on the Table
Exercise:
Write a scene in which two characters enter. One or both know of a secret in the scene. Hence, there is a gun on the table. What will they do with it?
Purpose:
To be able to create an unspoken element of drama.
To help find your voice manifested in dialogue.
Help Desk:
There should be an obvious change from beginning to end. Try to incorporate rhythm and melody in the dialogue.
Write a scene in which two characters enter. One or both know of a secret in the scene. Hence, there is a gun on the table. What will they do with it?
Purpose:
To be able to create an unspoken element of drama.
To help find your voice manifested in dialogue.
Help Desk:
There should be an obvious change from beginning to end. Try to incorporate rhythm and melody in the dialogue.
Stretch Break 6: The Universal Truth
In doing this exercise, I've learned to be more grateful for the mundane things in life... for we cannot have the interesting without the mundane, and to discover just how interesting the mundane can be.
In writing these odes to such objects, I understand just how much I like to humanize things, to relate a universal truth and a universal meaning to pretty much anything. I had a battle of the sexes between an incense burner and an incense stick. I related blue chips with a subject of worship, a boot with an old flame, air with she who I took for granted, a computer to the sexy mind of a nerd I had fallen for once, the list continues...
It's fun. And I discovered something about my writing which I try to avoid but just can't - and that's the habitual desire to relate universal truths to the human mind and intentions. I just can't escape metaphors, themes, and sadly, exposition. I don't mean to be preachy or didactic, but sometimes I can't help it. I guess that's why I work on a preschool show, also a project from which I can't escape.
In writing these odes to such objects, I understand just how much I like to humanize things, to relate a universal truth and a universal meaning to pretty much anything. I had a battle of the sexes between an incense burner and an incense stick. I related blue chips with a subject of worship, a boot with an old flame, air with she who I took for granted, a computer to the sexy mind of a nerd I had fallen for once, the list continues...
It's fun. And I discovered something about my writing which I try to avoid but just can't - and that's the habitual desire to relate universal truths to the human mind and intentions. I just can't escape metaphors, themes, and sadly, exposition. I don't mean to be preachy or didactic, but sometimes I can't help it. I guess that's why I work on a preschool show, also a project from which I can't escape.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Workout 6: Poetry
Exercise:
In light of the aid memoir rules of avoiding the use of emotions or opinions, write a poem about a mundane object. Again, avoid using adjectives or sentiment. You cannot write about love, death, the sky, the sea, or anything pretty.
Purpose:
Poetry is an enunciation of personal and universal truths written in short hand. From a simple object, you can be relating describing your brother, your girlfriend, your boss, and/or universal personality traits and human behaviors. You'll find this amazing! This is one reason I especially love to write... to link one thing to a completely different thing and find out just how much the two have in common.
Help Desk:
Mundane objects can be found all around you. Describe the outlet on your wall, the chapstick in your pocket, the staple that keeps your papers together. It's easier than you think.
In light of the aid memoir rules of avoiding the use of emotions or opinions, write a poem about a mundane object. Again, avoid using adjectives or sentiment. You cannot write about love, death, the sky, the sea, or anything pretty.
Purpose:
Poetry is an enunciation of personal and universal truths written in short hand. From a simple object, you can be relating describing your brother, your girlfriend, your boss, and/or universal personality traits and human behaviors. You'll find this amazing! This is one reason I especially love to write... to link one thing to a completely different thing and find out just how much the two have in common.
Help Desk:
Mundane objects can be found all around you. Describe the outlet on your wall, the chapstick in your pocket, the staple that keeps your papers together. It's easier than you think.
Stretch Break 5: Story through Dialogue
It may be difficult to describe something that happened offstage to the audience without using exposition. Just how much should you tell the audience? What are all the facts they need to know?
An example is in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," where Gertrude describes Ophelia's death. We don't know exactly how she died, but we get the truth according to Gertrude.
Another great example of this use of character POV is the playwright Chekhov:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Chekhov
An example is in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," where Gertrude describes Ophelia's death. We don't know exactly how she died, but we get the truth according to Gertrude.
Another great example of this use of character POV is the playwright Chekhov:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Chekhov
Workout 5: Monologue/Soliloquy
Exercise:
Keeping with the same essence of the aid memoir, write from the point of view of one single character. Write it in a monologue or soliloquy. If you don't know the difference...
Monologue: a character is speaking with someone around.
Soliloquy: a character is speaking alone.
Purpose:
Unravel the story through one character.
Help Desk:
Remember to use active words, words that motivate the story.
Keeping with the same essence of the aid memoir, write from the point of view of one single character. Write it in a monologue or soliloquy. If you don't know the difference...
Monologue: a character is speaking with someone around.
Soliloquy: a character is speaking alone.
Purpose:
Unravel the story through one character.
Help Desk:
Remember to use active words, words that motivate the story.
Stretch Break 4: Objective Writing vs. Sentiment
The bedrock of good writing is to keep the author out of the way of story. Detectives only write about the facts of the case. Be objective and avoid the emotional, inner life of your character.
Example:
Sentiment: My wife left me for another man. It hurt.
Vs.
Objective: My wife left me for another man. I went to a bar and got drunk that night. In the morning I woke up in the arms of a another woman.
If you find yourself embellishing your piece or using an abundance of flowery, over-indulgent language, a good rule of thumb is to get rid of every other sentence. You'll find that this is a good means of adding more muscle to your story.
Nowadays, we find it unnecessary to use narration to talk about the actions. An example is the narrator at the beginning of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Most directors will cut that out nowadays.
One that uses it successfully, however, is "Our Town," which uses theatrical language. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Town
We watch plays to see how characters interact with each other, not to be told what happens. Again the basics of writing: show don't tell.
This is much like Plot Vs. Story, where the plot is more rich than the story.
Story: The King died, then the Queen died.
Plot: The King died, then the Queen died of a broken heart.
As you can see, story describes the "what," whereas plot describes the "how" of the story.
Example:
Sentiment: My wife left me for another man. It hurt.
Vs.
Objective: My wife left me for another man. I went to a bar and got drunk that night. In the morning I woke up in the arms of a another woman.
If you find yourself embellishing your piece or using an abundance of flowery, over-indulgent language, a good rule of thumb is to get rid of every other sentence. You'll find that this is a good means of adding more muscle to your story.
Nowadays, we find it unnecessary to use narration to talk about the actions. An example is the narrator at the beginning of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Most directors will cut that out nowadays.
One that uses it successfully, however, is "Our Town," which uses theatrical language. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Town
We watch plays to see how characters interact with each other, not to be told what happens. Again the basics of writing: show don't tell.
This is much like Plot Vs. Story, where the plot is more rich than the story.
Story: The King died, then the Queen died.
Plot: The King died, then the Queen died of a broken heart.
As you can see, story describes the "what," whereas plot describes the "how" of the story.
New Rules in the Joust
Anyone interested in the pen jousting tourney, please review the updated rules.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
I'm Breaking a Sweat on Workout 1
So I'm trying to figure out just how much of my personal writing to put on this thing.... hmmm, risky business.
Pen Jousting Tournament 1
Competition:
Write an Aid Memoir. Writing will be based on how well you write, along with how well you understand the exercise.
Deadline:
March 31st, 2008.
Rules:
By submitting your writing, you are agreeing to the terms and use of this website.
Happy writing!
Write an Aid Memoir. Writing will be based on how well you write, along with how well you understand the exercise.
Deadline:
March 31st, 2008.
Rules:
By submitting your writing, you are agreeing to the terms and use of this website.
Happy writing!
Pen Jousting Tournaments
Monthly writing tournaments will be in effect starting at the beginning of each month. We will judge at the end of the month and announce the winners just before the new competition is held.
So work out your writing skills now. Deadline for the first of many writer's tournaments is March 31st. Please read below.
Terms and Use:
- All material you submit must be original. Copyrighted material will be disqualified and legal action will be taken.
- Once you submit your material to this site, you still own its creative rights; however, you will not hold the Writers Workout or any of its affiliates responsible for unprotected use. This is a free forum, open for anyone to view.
- Must be 18 years or older or have parents' written consent to participate in the tournaments. (Hey, it's a dangerous sport...)
Rules:
Please email me your piece. This avoids the age-old sympton and tendency for anyone to "peek at another person's paper" (i.e. cheating.) However, if you don't mind posting it in the comments section, by all means, you have that right.
By submitting your writing, you are agreeing to the terms and use of this website (above.)
Prizes:
- All winners - Bragging rights.
- 1st place - $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble and publication in the blog.
- 2nd place - publication in the blog.
- 3rd place - publication in the blog.
Let the pen jousting begin!
So work out your writing skills now. Deadline for the first of many writer's tournaments is March 31st. Please read below.
Terms and Use:
- All material you submit must be original. Copyrighted material will be disqualified and legal action will be taken.
- Once you submit your material to this site, you still own its creative rights; however, you will not hold the Writers Workout or any of its affiliates responsible for unprotected use. This is a free forum, open for anyone to view.
- Must be 18 years or older or have parents' written consent to participate in the tournaments. (Hey, it's a dangerous sport...)
Rules:
Please email me your piece. This avoids the age-old sympton and tendency for anyone to "peek at another person's paper" (i.e. cheating.) However, if you don't mind posting it in the comments section, by all means, you have that right.
By submitting your writing, you are agreeing to the terms and use of this website (above.)
Prizes:
- All winners - Bragging rights.
- 1st place - $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble and publication in the blog.
- 2nd place - publication in the blog.
- 3rd place - publication in the blog.
Let the pen jousting begin!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Workout 4: Aid Memoir
Exercise:
Write an aid memoir, one paragraph (1/2 page) written in prose about an experience, i.e. a real or fictitious memory. Write only what's perceivable with the 5 senses (see, hear, touch, taste, smell.) Do not use feelings, emotions, or opinions.
Purpose:
To show feelings/emotions through actions. Besides blatantly stating what the character is feeling, use active words to express it. The challenge is to show, not tell. Remember, actions speak louder than words.
Help Desk:
Since this should be all factual information, avoid using adjectives and adverbs. However, colors may be acceptable.
Write an aid memoir, one paragraph (1/2 page) written in prose about an experience, i.e. a real or fictitious memory. Write only what's perceivable with the 5 senses (see, hear, touch, taste, smell.) Do not use feelings, emotions, or opinions.
Purpose:
To show feelings/emotions through actions. Besides blatantly stating what the character is feeling, use active words to express it. The challenge is to show, not tell. Remember, actions speak louder than words.
Help Desk:
Since this should be all factual information, avoid using adjectives and adverbs. However, colors may be acceptable.
Stretch Break 3: Lists Create Drama
Lists create drama in a character, especially if the words flow off the tongue easily.
Example:
Buddhist Temple
Shirley Temple
Temple of the Gods
Gods and Monsters
Monster Ball
Belle of the Ball
Ballerina
Dancer
Dreamer
Driver
Steamer
Ironing Board
Wrinkles
No more
You can get a lot of insight into a character through lists... and even get some insight on yourself while you're at it.
Example:
Buddhist Temple
Shirley Temple
Temple of the Gods
Gods and Monsters
Monster Ball
Belle of the Ball
Ballerina
Dancer
Dreamer
Driver
Steamer
Ironing Board
Wrinkles
No more
You can get a lot of insight into a character through lists... and even get some insight on yourself while you're at it.
Workout 3: Lists
Exercise:
Write a list. It can be a planned list, but in this exercise, just write down a list of anything that comes to your head. They don't even have to relate to each other, but after reading a few of the items on the list, your audience will know exactly where you are.
Purpose:
This exercise is designed to keep your thoughts flowing. Just keep writing down anything that comes to your head. You can see how one item relates to another. You can see the thought pattern.
Help Desk:
If you need help, try to write down a list of things to do... or a list of groceries.
Write a list. It can be a planned list, but in this exercise, just write down a list of anything that comes to your head. They don't even have to relate to each other, but after reading a few of the items on the list, your audience will know exactly where you are.
Purpose:
This exercise is designed to keep your thoughts flowing. Just keep writing down anything that comes to your head. You can see how one item relates to another. You can see the thought pattern.
Help Desk:
If you need help, try to write down a list of things to do... or a list of groceries.
Stretch Break 2: Dialogue vs. Conversation
Dialogue should motivate action and progress the story.
Use active language to keep the story flowing. It's okay if the audience has to keep up. They don't have to know every little detail of the character's lives. Oftentimes, the character will reveal the story before you even know what it is.
Avoid argument. In improv, it's the "Yes, and..." theory. Go with what's given you; don't contradict your partner.
Use active language to keep the story flowing. It's okay if the audience has to keep up. They don't have to know every little detail of the character's lives. Oftentimes, the character will reveal the story before you even know what it is.
Avoid argument. In improv, it's the "Yes, and..." theory. Go with what's given you; don't contradict your partner.
Workout 2: Dialogue
Exercise:
Close your eyes, breathe, and think about an empty stage for your characters. You should have at least one character, at most three. Think of what they would say and how they would speak. Think of the relationship between them.
Purpose:
To see the interaction take place between your characters. Your characters will talk to you. You give character's their voice with your pen, but they are calling all the shots, not you. Let them talk to you. Sometimes you may not know where you're going with a story. That's okay. Your characters will lead you through it. Just trust they will guide you.
Tip:
Avoid exposition (where two or more characters tell each other things they already know.) Think of where you could cut a scene to avoid giving too much information. It's okay if the reader doesn't understand everything at first. They'll catch up eventually.
Help Desk:
We'd recommend watching the series "Deadwood."
Close your eyes, breathe, and think about an empty stage for your characters. You should have at least one character, at most three. Think of what they would say and how they would speak. Think of the relationship between them.
Purpose:
To see the interaction take place between your characters. Your characters will talk to you. You give character's their voice with your pen, but they are calling all the shots, not you. Let them talk to you. Sometimes you may not know where you're going with a story. That's okay. Your characters will lead you through it. Just trust they will guide you.
Tip:
Avoid exposition (where two or more characters tell each other things they already know.) Think of where you could cut a scene to avoid giving too much information. It's okay if the reader doesn't understand everything at first. They'll catch up eventually.
Help Desk:
We'd recommend watching the series "Deadwood."
Stretch Break 1: Art of being human
As humans we have always been fascinated in discovering the truth about who we are and what we're doing here on this planet. We question the meaning of love, life, death, what it means to be human, etc. We try to dissect every element of our existence instead of just settling for what is.
Writers try to answer the meanings of life and discover the truth not only for others, but for our own curious minds.
We use various genres to play on the emotions of the human soul. Comedy, drama, horror, fantasy, romance... all react with our rooted emotions, which is often embedded with the others. We are comprised of many faces; we are multifaceted human beings.
Writing, nay, storytelling, is the art of being human.
Writers try to answer the meanings of life and discover the truth not only for others, but for our own curious minds.
We use various genres to play on the emotions of the human soul. Comedy, drama, horror, fantasy, romance... all react with our rooted emotions, which is often embedded with the others. We are comprised of many faces; we are multifaceted human beings.
Writing, nay, storytelling, is the art of being human.
Workout 1: Stream of Consciousness
Exercise:
Write out anything that comes to mind. Even if you can't think of anything and your mind is blank, write that.
"My mind is blank. I can't think of anything to write.... My mind is blank. A child is born with a blank slate..."
Eventually you'll come up with more things to write because, if you're like me and most humans, one thought will lead to another thought, which leads to another thought, which leads to another thought. Thoughts are endless. The mind wanders a lot farther than to which the universe can expand.
Purpose:
This exercise is designed to keep you writing about anything and everything.
Help Desk:
If you need help, read something from the newspaper, watch part of a movie, listen to the lyrics of your favorite song, think about your favorite memory. The possibilities are endless.
Write out anything that comes to mind. Even if you can't think of anything and your mind is blank, write that.
"My mind is blank. I can't think of anything to write.... My mind is blank. A child is born with a blank slate..."
Eventually you'll come up with more things to write because, if you're like me and most humans, one thought will lead to another thought, which leads to another thought, which leads to another thought. Thoughts are endless. The mind wanders a lot farther than to which the universe can expand.
Purpose:
This exercise is designed to keep you writing about anything and everything.
Help Desk:
If you need help, read something from the newspaper, watch part of a movie, listen to the lyrics of your favorite song, think about your favorite memory. The possibilities are endless.
New Adventures in Writing
Hi everyone!
Since I started a blog recently, and I started a playwright's workshop last Saturday, I thought to combine the writing exercises into a blog. This will be a good record-keeper for myself, as well as give fellow writers inspiration for working out and nurturing their creative juices. Writing is health for the mind, and I'm hoping this will be a great way to keep the mind toned and the juices flowing...
So who wants to go on this writing workout with me???
How this blog works:
If you'd like to participate, please leave it in the comments section. I like to see progress, so hopefully you'll see me (any yourself in you participate) getting toned in the next few weeks.
Figuring you're here and you'd like to participate, simply follow the Workout exercise. Once you are finished, take a break and read the Stretch Break that follows. You'll see what you've learned and perhaps realize what the workout was for. Also, the stretch breaks involve examples of inspiration by referring to successful plays and playwrights so you can continue on if you want to try the workout again.
See you at the writer's gym!
Since I started a blog recently, and I started a playwright's workshop last Saturday, I thought to combine the writing exercises into a blog. This will be a good record-keeper for myself, as well as give fellow writers inspiration for working out and nurturing their creative juices. Writing is health for the mind, and I'm hoping this will be a great way to keep the mind toned and the juices flowing...
So who wants to go on this writing workout with me???
How this blog works:
If you'd like to participate, please leave it in the comments section. I like to see progress, so hopefully you'll see me (any yourself in you participate) getting toned in the next few weeks.
Figuring you're here and you'd like to participate, simply follow the Workout exercise. Once you are finished, take a break and read the Stretch Break that follows. You'll see what you've learned and perhaps realize what the workout was for. Also, the stretch breaks involve examples of inspiration by referring to successful plays and playwrights so you can continue on if you want to try the workout again.
See you at the writer's gym!
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