January 31, 2012

Hi friends & writers!

I have two fun pieces of writing news: one, this Thursday at noon, I’ll be having a conversation with Amanda Turner on her radio show “Writers’ Block.” She does wonderful interviews and I am really excited. You can hear it here: www.RadioBoise.org.

And two, I’ve put The Tuesday Writer up as a blog, so you can view all past issues. Here is the link: http://thetuesdaywriter.blogspot.com/.

Wishing you joyful weeks & some solid writing time …

e

PROCESS: PUTTING TOGETHER THE BOUQUET

Making a good flower arrangement is a three-step process. 1.) Use foliage to create a scaffolding; 2.) Place the “face” flowers, using the foliage to secure them; 3.) Fill in with baby’s breath or another wispy plant, using it to even out the top, middle, and bottom. If that sounds like a metaphor for any creative work, it is!

Try this: If you are stuck trying to turn fragments of writing into a cohesive essay or short story, use bouquet-logic. Broad strokes first, and then place in the scenes that “pop” and make up the major plot, and then, finally, fill in the rest with the words of your choice. Consider starting a fresh document to serve as the blank canvas for your story pieces.

FEATURED VENUE: THE SUN

The “Readers Write” section of The Sun is a terrific place to send short pieces of personal nonfiction writing. Each month has a theme, and they are currently accepting submissions (up to March 1) for the theme “forgetting.” Payment is a one-year subscription.

Submission Guidelines here: http://www.thesunmagazine.org/about/submission_guidelines/readers_write

PROMPT

Rewrite an earlier piece of writing from a new point of view. If it is currently a first person piece, trying writing in third -- or even second. (15min)

January 24, 2012

Hi friends & writers!

Third week going, and I’m doing grateful dances for last week’s snow. Enjoy this wet week – it’s good weather for writing in coffee shops.

PROCESS: THE UNIT SYSTEM

The beauty of writing to prompts is in how time expands to fit what we ask of it. If we have ten minutes, we can write for ten minutes. If we have an hour we can write for an hour. But sometimes too-long chunks of time can feel as vast and endless as the ocean. And other times, waiting for big chunks of time means that writing never gets done.

Try this: Remedy this by using the unit system. Ask yourself to write for 10 minutes – that’s all. Give yourself a direction or prompt so that you are not just floundering in the waves. Then try 15 or 25 minutes. Then two sets of 25 minutes, with a ten minute break in between. Next time you consider a mindless email check in between things, set a timer and write for a “unit” instead. And see what you can write in a day.

FEATURED VENUE: STORY STORY NIGHT

Warning: this venue contains stage fright. But once you start telling your story, it is one of the most satisfying audiences a writer could ever have – and in addition, SSN offers amazing support to help their storytellers get their story “just so” before telling it on stage. Upcoming themes include “The Breakup” and “Betrayal” – and their new submissions policy invites anyone to “Send in your best story!” and they’ll try to work it into an upcoming theme.

Submission Guidelines here: http://www.storystorynight.org/featured-storytellers.html

PROMPT

“It came this close to working out just as we planned.” (10min)

Please share The Tuesday Writer with other writers.

January 17, 2012

Hi writers!

Thanks for sending back your “yeses.” Here is Issue #2 of The Tuesday Writer. Have good weeks & make some time for writing …

PROCESS: PAVLOVIAN CUES FOR INSPIRATION

Ivan Pavlov, Russian physiologist, trained dogs to salivate at the ring of a bell by first teaching the dogs to associate that ring with food. Writers can use this idea, called the “conditioned reflex,” to train the mind to feel inspired by learning to associate a single sensory thing – a type of tea, warm socks, a track of music, a scent, a certain chair and desk, a ritual, even a place – with creative writing. The more your body associates this pleasant sensory cue with the pleasant creative work, the more likely it will be to “salivate” for writing when it recognizes that cue.

Try this: Choose a sensory cue to get you into writing mode. Each time you write this week, first give yourself the cue, and then sit down and write something short and fun: a response to a prompt, notes for a poem, a character sketch.

FEATURED VENUE: THE IDAHO REVIEW

The Idaho Review, Boise State University’s impressive literary journal, has received a lot of national attention, including having had ten of its short stories selected for honors such as the Pushcart Prize and the O. Henry Award. They are currently accepting unsolicited writing through April 15.

Submission Guidelines here: http://idahoreview.org/submit/

PROMPT:

Got your ten minutes cleared out? Got a comfortable place to write? Got your Pavlovian cue? Okay!

“______ was not designed to grow in this place.” (10min)

Please share The Tuesday Writer with other writers.

January 10, 2012

Hi friends & writers!

I wanted to start the year by sending out a weekly writing newsletter. Its purpose is to clear a space for creative writing in people’s busy lives, once a week.

Though it may evolve, The Tuesday Writer currently has three parts: process, featured venue, prompt. Please send me a YES if you would like to continue receiving it; otherwise this is the only issue you’ll receive. Read on …

PROCESS: GOAL-SETTING FOR THE WRITING YEAR

Many writers find it helpful to set both large and small goals for a writing year. The large goals (finishing a book, for example) provide continuity to each writing session; the small goals (finishing a poem and sending it out) give a sense of tangible accomplishment on a daily or weekly basis. Together, these provide fuel for a writer to create a sustainable practice.

Try this: This week, write down one large and twelve small writing goals for this year. Post them near your writing spot.

FEATURED VENUE: ANDERBO

Dubbed “Best New Online Literary Journal,” anderbo.com features writers in fiction, fact, and poetry. It is notable for publishing a single online issue that it regularly adds to, and it is always looking for new voices. No pay, but good publicity.

Submission Guidelines here: http://www.anderbo.com/guidelines.html

PROMPT

Before writing to the prompt, get yourself into a writing space that feels comfortable, and make sure you have in front of you ten uninterrupted minutes. Mark the ritual by some tangible thing: put on warm socks, or light a candle, or make a cup of tea. Once you are ready to write, set a timer and go!

“It was his ignorance that saved him.” (10min)

Please share The Tuesday Writer with other writers.