Writing Practice—Colors
One of the books I turn to for writing inspiration is Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones. A few days ago, I read a short chapter on Writing Practice. Goldberg suggested that we make a list of topics from which to choose when the well runs dry. She offered a list of ideas.
Part of my “morning time,” most days, includes about 30 minutes of writing. Often it reads a bit like a diary or personal journal, but there are plenty of days when I begin with “I don’t know what to write about,” and then when I do, it’s sheer drivel.
So yesterday I combined one of Goldberg’s ideas along with one of my own. Her’s: I remember… Mine: color. And so far have written two days worth of I remember pink. I won’t go into detail, although this afternoon I recalled that I wore a pink formal to my senior prom. And my childhood bedroom was pink—all pink.
The bottom line is, it’s important to write daily and it helps to have a topic for those times when you are at a loss for something to write about. Oh, and don’t worry about results, Goldberg emphasizes. Just write!
Check out my previous post for some “Pink” photos I took on today’s walk.
i have to confess that i don’t write daily… sometimes i just don’t want to and then i go on a walk instead.. though i think it helps a lot to get more fluent and keep writer’s block away… i try to sketch daily… even small things like my coffee cup…
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Good morning and thank you for liking my blogging poem. When you get to my age, you won’t need a book for inspiration – you will awaken early in the night with a sudden and completely weird recollection that will turn into a story or a poem, and then you will have a 3 am coffee and start. Like my “kites” post. It just came out of the blue.
I think I’m going to like your blog.
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I never had the option to choose my bedroom color–mostly because I never had my own bedroom as a kid. I wonder what color I would have chosen? 😉
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What a great idea… so far I have not needed it.. whenever I lack inspiration I go back to old prompts on the various sites.. but a list would clearly help.. and combining two.. that’s excellent. to remember pink.. hmm on that I come up with nothing.. 🙂
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And excellent idea. I used to do something similar, but have been neglectful recently. When I don’t know what to write, I have a “submission” day, like today!
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I remember pink elephants… that was the first pink thing to come to mind. Writing everyday is a practice I admit I have not managed to handle…the list of topics might help…but as much as it’s not important to care, drivel makes me anxious…odd I know…something I’m working on…very poorly.
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i have not read that book, though i see it on many essential book lists on writing…i need to get my hands on a copy and get reading…smiles….i agree on the exercise of writing daily…even if it is drivel….it is hugely important to being successful…and i find it keeps writers block away
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Nice exercise. I like Goldberg. I’ve been to some presentations by her. Down to earth.
I like your idea of remembering pink. I’m sure you’ll share something that comes from that. 🙂
Lovely rose, by the way, Victoria.
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