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Writing A Letter the old fashioned way can help release writers block

I have a confession to make. I have been fighting writers block for quite awhile now.  When I sit down to write, it feels as if my fingers are no longer attached to my hand, they just type on their own. It has felt as if there are no feelings or thoughts flowing from my brain and down through my fingers and onto the keyboard.  So early last week, as  I was typing an email to a friend, I suddenly thought about how much typing has dominated my life.  I suddenly felt a longing for my childhood days when I was writing a letter to a pen-pal in Yugoslavia, or to my brother’s friend who was serving in Viet Nam. I thought about the airmail stamp, of licking it and putting it on the airmail envelope then dropping the letter into the mailbox.  And then I thought about the the time I wrote a story in the sixth grade when I felt proud of my penmanship, and my wild imagination that took me to the planet X where I flew an X-15 rocket around the planet to the far side and saved the planet from destruction.  My inspiration back then was a brand new television show called Star Trek, and another show in which the Robinson Family continued to be “Lost in Space.”

So as I finished typing the email to my friend and clicked send, I vowed it would be my last personal email for one week.  For me, typing a letter has become a detachment from everything that is important to me.  In that moment I suddenly longed for the act of  writing. For my own sanity, I needed to get back to basics. I needed to hold a pen in my hand, put it to paper and form the letters that make the words to convey my feelings and thoughts to the recipient of my letter.

I posted my intentions to my wall on facebook. I made a declaration that for one week, my response to everyone who sends me personal emails will be a hand written letter from me.  “Yes, it will take longer”, I stated, “but I need to get in touch with my writer self again.”   I also requested they also include their mailing address, just to make sure I had the updated information.

Five of my friends responded to my post, sounding rather excited about receiving something in the mail that wasn’t a bill. When I sat down to write the first letter, I thought, “Why not encourage others to hand-write a letter as well?”  So I did.  In each letter I wrote, I included a blank stamped envelope on which I put their name and address in the return address corner. I asked them, in the letter, to use that envelope to hand-write a letter to someone they care about and include a blank stamped envelope in their letter, asking their  friend to do the same thing.  My dream is to get the whole country to hand-write one short letter. The cost is one stamp, two envelopes, and the paper on which to write their letter.  (No, I don’t work for the post office.) After this one week of hand-writing letters, I feel better.  I feel like I have reclaimed the writer within.  I found the part of me that had moved out of the way for the sake of technology.  For me, this past week has been a rebirth.

I know there are probably many of you shaking your head and saying, “What the heck is the big deal? I can type my feelings just as well as I can write them!”.  Perhaps others of you are stuck in a writer’s block mode right now, struggling to get in touch with the act of writing again. Why not try hand-writing a letter to a friend. You may find yourself experiencing an “aha” moment (along with a little writer’s cramp) as you put your pen to paper and discover that writing a letter for old time’s sake, is just what you needed to help you move forward with your story or poem. Write a letter to a friend about the first letter you ever wrote. How old were you when you wrote it? To whom was it written?  What was going on in your life at the time that you couldn’t wait to write the letter and tell that person all about i?

Have Fun!

Until next time,

Walk in beauty, write life with passion!

Did you ever have a pen pal?

What country did he or she live in?

Have you ever written a fan letter?

Make a list. Everyone makes lists at one time or another: grocery lists, to-do lists, address lists, donor lists, goal lists and on and on it goes.  I was sitting at my computer the other day, trying to think of new things to write about writing (which can be more of a challenge than you think).  I suddenly remembered a few years ago, as I sat in my master’s program advisor’s office, lamenting my lack of ideas for a thesis topic. He said to me, “Write what you know.” So I sat down, made a list of my passions, my life experiences and various other personal thoughts. It was from that list I came up with my thesis idea and the rest is history.

Making lists has saved my bacon on many occasions and it is a journal writing technique from which other writing sessions can be generated. Making lists can be enlightening, helpful in organizing your thoughts, and therapeutic. I know one woman who made a list of reasons why she couldn’t sleep and discovered that, after “fear of fire” showed up several times on the list, she realized that she was living in an upstairs apartment for the first time and didn’t have an escape plan in case there was a fire.  She bought a drop-down ladder, drew herself a map of the apartment with all the possible escape routes, and bought a fire extinguisher. She said she slept like a baby after that.

In her book, Journal To The Self, author Kathleen Adams suggests making your list long; one hundred is a good round number.  By making a list this long, you can get past the immediate things on your mind and begin to tap into the subconscious, as was the case with the friend I mentioned above.  Making a list can also help generate more ideas when you feel a writer’s block coming on and it can help you organize your story plot or develop a character. The trick with writing a list a hundred items long is to write it in one sitting. Starting it and coming back to add more defeats the purpose of spontaneity and reaching the subconscious.

So here is your challenge for this morning: Number from one to a hundred down the side of a page and then write a list of one hundred things you can make a list of hundred about.

Here are a few to get you started:

1. reasons why I need a vacation

2. things I love to eat

3.  places I would like to visit

4. things that get me riled up

5. reasons I like being single/married

6. ways that I would spend a million dollars

7. topics to write about

8. things my main character is afraid of

9. things my main character wants to do before my story ends

10. unusual names I’ve heard

With this as a starter, you only have 90 more things to put on your list of 100. When you are finished with this list, take one of the topics each day and make your list of 100 about that topic, then choose one item off of that list and write for five or ten minutes on that one thing.  For example, tomorrow you can write your list of 100 reasons why I need a vacation, then choose an item off that list and write about it.

Have fun!

Until next time,

Walk in beauty, write life with passion!

Dear Readers, I have a confession to make:  I love books.  In fact, I could say I am addicted to them and proudly call myself a book-a-holic (also known as a biblioholic).  Therefore, I will be adding a once-a-month book review to this blog in which I will focus on newer books written for writers about writing.  But until I can get the first one read and reviewed, I thought I would share with you my top ten must-haves that are part of my writing library at home.  These books about writing pump me up when I am feeling down, help get me un-stuck in my writing projects, and are great reference books.  The books on this list have been around for awhile and have consistently proven to be helpful as I work at living the writer’s life.  What is your favorite book about writing and why do you like it?  I invite you to add it into the comment section below this article.

1. Journal To The Self: 22 paths to personal growth by Kathleen Adams. (1990) My money was well spent on this book. Adams provides easy,  nuts and bolts, how–to-get–started journal-writing steps that anyone can follow.  It’s a book worth having.

2. The Write-Brain Workbook: 366 Exercises to Liberate Your Writing by Bonnie Neubauer. (2006) This one is chock full of nothing but writing exercises, three hundred and sixty six of them to be exact. The pages are busy with bright, colorful artwork, designed to stimulate the imagination and get your pen onto the page

3. Finding What You Didn’t Lose; Expressing Your Truth and Creativity Through Poem-Making by John Fox.  (1995) The author provides wonderful insights into the creative process of poem-making using lots of writing exercises to help you discover or rediscover your poetic voice. I particularly like this book because it made me think about writing as a spiritual, meditative practice and not just putting words on a page.

4. The Artists Way, A Spiritual Path To Creativity by Julia Cameron. (1992) One of the life attitude altering statements from this book for me is “ Creativity is God’s gift to us.  Using Our creativity is our gift back to God”  This book is great for people who may have been feeling stuck in their creativity whether it’s writing, painting, or sculpting or any other creative outlet.  Each chapter has suggestions to help guide a person into deeper self awareness of the individual creative process as well as practical creative projects to put what one is learning into practice.  In the years since I bought mine in 1993, Cameron has written and published an Artist’s Way workbook, as well as a sequel.

5. Building Believable Characters by Marc McCutcheon. (1996) In this book you will find everything you need to assist you in creating and developing a character for a story.  It is a book of lists of things like personality traits and physical features, vocabulary and definitions, descriptive words and terminology, commonly used foreign language names and words, along with anything else you can think of (or might not think of) when it come to creating a person on paper.  I consider Building Believable Characters an absolute must have  book for anyone who writes fiction or short stories.

6. Your Life As Story, Discovering the “New Autobiography” and Writing Memoir as Literature by Tristine Rainer (1997). Your Life as Story provides excellent information, testimonials, writing samples and exercises to inspire and encourage the reader to put their story into print.

7. Outwitting Writers Block and other problems of the pen by Jenna Glazier. (2003) This book is my bible for getting myself going again when the creative flow is backed up by the stresses of life and the fear of moving forward.

8. The Making Of A Poem, A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms by Mark Strand and Eavan Boland (2000). Anything you want to know about poetic form and style is in this book. Each chapter gives an overview and history of a form, definitions and descriptions, samples of the form and a short bio on a poet best known for the form they are highlighting in the chapter.

9. Wild Mind, Living The Writer’ Life by Natalie Goldberg. (1990) A very easy read, think about and do book. Goldberg explores the aspects of what it means to live a writer’s life and adds a “try this” writing prompt at the end of each chapter.

10. Last but certainly not least on my Deb’s top ten list of must-have books is one that many writers may not have heard about called Art & Fear, Observations On The Perils (and rewards) of ARTMAKING (1990) by David Bayless & Ted Orland. It was given to me by an artist friend during a time when I was exhausted at trying to make things happen in my writing life. This book helps the reader explore what it means to live a creative life and the conscious choices we can make to face the fear that often surrounds us, as artists, and holds us back. This is not an activity oriented book and can be read in just a couple of hours (depending on how fast you read), but it  really gets you thinking.

Until next time,

Walk in beauty, write life with passion!

In the last couple of blogs I have introduced writing techniques to use when you need a little inspiration or help getting started writing poetry.  In addition to the Haiku, (see When Your Inspiration Takes A Vacation, July 12th blog) another easy writing technique is called “found poetry.”  To practice this one just take notice of words you see on street signs, store fronts, billboards, and bumper stickers as you are traveling somewhere.  Regardless of your source, the words are already written for you.  Just enjoy putting them together in different combinations.  This activity is especially fun in a group gathering or classroom environment.  Have each participant bring a list of words they’ve “found,” then cut the words on each list into single strips of paper and put them in a basket or bowl.  Each person can pull out a handful of words and use them as starters for a poem.

One variation of the above technique is to jot down random words from television ads, picture books and magazines.  You can also use conversations overheard at the coffee shop, or the titles of dating ads, songs, or news headlines.  Remember, writing can be recreational and fun.  So, don’t be shy, give it a try, then leave a short sample of your found poem in the blog comments section below.

Until next time,

Walk in beauty, write life with passion.

Coming soon to this blog: Interviews with local poets and other writers, more writing tips and information.

In my last “It Happens” blog on June 13th, I provided two or three writing exercises to help get you out of your writing rut.  But for writers who need alternatives to using their pen to unclog the dam, here are a few non-writing tips to distract you from the stress and get the creative juices flowing again.

1.  Exercise. Whether you are going to write your way out of the block or use other methods, getting away from the desk is always the first step.  Go for a long walk, go swimming or do the gardening.  Engaging in physical activity allows random thoughts to flow freely and help clear your head.

2.  Quiet Meditation and Breathing. If you are one of those “burning the midnight oil” type of writers, and walking in the moonlight doesn’t appeal to you, at least light a candle, burn some incense, put on soft music, and do some deep breathing and yoga stretches.  And I mean deep breathing that stretches your diaphragm and moves your belly.  Hold the breath a few seconds, then release it, allowing the tension to leave with the breath.

3.  Clean the house. Cleaning the house is another way to get your mind off the writing project for awhile.  You heard me correctly. I said cleaning as in doing the dishes, vacuuming, dusting, laundry or clearing the clutter out of a closet.  Distracting yourself is the key here but be careful as cleaning can also be used as an avoidance tactic that keeps you from your writing.

4.  Change your writing environment.  Another way to get your mind off your project for awhile is to rearrange your workspace by moving your desk or bookshelf to another wall, putting different colored drapes on the windows, or hanging new pictures. You can also change locations by taking your laptop into the dining or living room to work, or by making trips to the local coffee shop, library, or the neighborhood park to do your writing.

5. Watch an inspiring movie. Sometimes watching a movie that inspires you or makes you feel good all over, can help refresh your mind and spark new ideas.  The movie I watch when I need to rejuvenate my creative flow is “Finding Forrester” with Sean Connery.  It’s about a writer and his mentor.  After watching this movie, I always find myself pumped up with fresh inspiration and encouragement, ready to head back to the laptop.

Whether you use one of the techniques above, or something else, do yourself a favor and take time off.  Give yourself permission to take a mental health day and not think about your writing project.  Be adventurous, find what works for you, and do it. Happy writing!

Until next time,

Walk in beauty, write life with passion!

ITs arrival is inevitable and IT has no respect for time or place. IT doesn’t care whether the project is due in two days or thirty minutes.  The IT to which I refer, is writers block. IT happens when you have a deadline, the pressure is on, you sit down to write and nothing happens.  IT roars through your head like a football team cheerleading squad screaming “BLOCK THAT PEN!” “BLOCK THAT PEN!” You’re thinking about the weather, or wondering if you remembered to take out the garbage; anything and everything except what you need to be writing about.  Writers  come up with various avoidance strategies when they are blocked. Things like browsing the internet, scheduling a phone call, or meeting a friend for coffee, are excuses people use. Following are some strategies to begin to reclaim your motivation and outsmart the IT that has you baffled and befuddled.

First it is important to understand that you are not alone.  Having a writing buddy, significant other, mentor or coach can provide you with the “you can do it” cheer in the background.  Joining a writer’s feedback or critique group is an excellent way to meet and buddy up with someone. Some people like to get together with a friend and co-write on any topic just to have fun. Don’t sit around and wallow in your writers block.  Be proactive and creative in your solutions.

Writers block can come in all sizes.  Sometimes it is nothing more than a little beaver dam in the middle of your creative flow that slows things down to a trickle, and other times it has built itself up into a large dam, clogged up with the debris of everyday life like relationships, work, and unexpected stressors.  When you are on your own and need some quick techniques to help you dismantle the block, get a cup of tea and sit down with your journal (or laptop) and free write.  Put your pen to paper (or fingers on the keyboard) and just write.  Don’t worry about spelling and punctuation, or whether you are indenting the paragraphs correctly. No one is going to read it except you. Your inner critic can take a vacation for this kind of writing exercise.  Sometimes just dumping what’s on your mind onto the page will loosen the block and get you back to your desk and working on your project again.

If your writers block feels more like the clogged up dam, it may take a little more work to get it to budge. One technique that has worked for me is to write a conversation in which I write both characters in first person discussing a particular topic. You can dialogue with the writing project you are working on, the writer’s block itself, or perhaps a person or thing that is generating stress in your life. This technique can be used on many different levels and for many different topics and emotions.  Give yourself plenty of time as this exercise can take up to 40 minutes or more. Create the environment you need to fully focus on the writing without distractions by turning off the phone and letting the family know you don’t want to be interrupted.

If you feel like you can’t “jump write in” to the conversation, it is helpful to close your eyes and imagine yourself in a place that holds good memories for you.  Take a couple of deep breaths and visualize writers block as a character or thing, standing or sitting in front of you. Believe and trust that writers block will answer your questions truthfully. Here is a prompt to help you get started in your conversation with WB:

Me: Who are you and why won’t you let me pass?

WB: Well, I am ________.

Don’t be afraid to have a lengthy conversation on the page.  Mine usually run at least two or three pages before I am able to exit the conversation and go on to the next step.

After you finish writing the conversation, write a description of the character; what it is (animal, person, or other). What does it look like? What was its body language and tone of voice? Acquaint yourself with the character. By doing so you can diminish the fear of it and make it your friend.

You now have two writing techniques in your toolbox that give you a nudge toward freedom from writer’s block and assist you to creatively move forward again.  Stay tuned for more writing tips and techniques in future blogs.

Until next time, may you walk in beauty and write life with passion!