Macrovision
These days it's all about breaking things down into manageable pieces in order to be able to reach a goal and track your process/progress, and keep yourself from going insane because there's not a lot of time to breathe.
And I'm a firm believer in this approach, in, as I've heard it termed: 'microvision.' But I'm also a believer in thinking 'blue sky,' or BIG. I call this MACROVISION. This is where you step back and open up and let everything move through you (not 'in,' but 'through'), when you allow for any and every possibility without limitations - a kind of brainstorming - and see what surfaces.
In the world of macrovision, there isn't any of the following:
judgment, pain, fear, accountability, logic, linear thinking, self-editing, eavesdroppers, guilt, past mistakes, worry, boundaries, barriers, limiting beliefs, rules or doubt.
If you can think of any others, delete those too.
Keeping this in mind, ask yourself the following questions about your writing (and your life where appropriate):
1) What is it you're afraid to write? (You absolutely know what this is, just say it 'out loud' on paper.)
2) Why?
3) What do you think that says about you (what you are afraid to write and why), and why is that important? (Or better: is that important?)
4) For a story (fiction/nonfiction): what is it about your characters that you're not showing?
For a poem: whose voice are you using? Yours or someone else's?
For both: What is really important about this event/issue/idea you're writing about that you're not allowing yourself to see, feel and write?
Why?
5) Is there any direction/path you'd like to take in your poem or story (or essay or play) that you're not taking because you feel locked in to the original idea?
Can you separate yourself enough to try that direction and see what happens? Can you trust yourself enough?
6) What are you worried people would say if they knew you wanted to write about this topic? Is there someone in particular you're afraid of disappointing, or making angry, or hurting? (You can include yourself in the list if that's the case.)
7) Who are you trying to please?
8) What is that critic inside your head saying? Write it down, look at it and KNOW in your HEART that all of it is ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE. You are talented. You are capable. You do have a unique vision. The work is worth it. You're worth it. Now tear the critique up into little pieces and throw it away.
Quickly write down a list of words relating to this idea/event/whatever you want to write about - make a fast list without thinking, without stopping yourself.
If a wall goes up at any point and you slow down or 'hit your head' against it, pause and enter that space. Feel it around you - what is it like? Can you visualize/sense it? What is the message you're getting (emotionally or actually through a voice)? Can you look at it for what it is (name it too) and release it?
Take a look at your list and do a five minute writing on it. No specific form unless that's how it comes out. Just five minutes. If you want to go further, go ahead.
If you have to put this down for now, that's okay. But don't do so until you've picked a day/time to come back to the list later. Put that date/time on your calendar. This is really your rich writing territory. This is where your voice will really 'come alive' as they say. You don't want to turn your back on it.
Challenging ourselves, allowing ourselves to feel a little uncomfortable, a little afraid, even excited when, and about what, we write will make the results deep, electric, and fresh. You have to push. Sometimes gently, sometimes full force.
Writing, like life, is about discovery. When you opened up and made your list of words, what rushed by that excited you? What made you nervous? Choose something you never do and do it. Or pick something you always do and do it differently. This will make you see differently, which will make you WRITE differently. Would you want to only hang out with the same friends for the rest of your life - no new people, no new ideas, no new stories, experiences, feelings? Didn't think so. (I mean, I'm sure your friends are great but...) Don't doom your writing to that fate either. Without new input we (and our writing) become stale; there's no growth, learning, or risk. Don't stand outside the door worrying about what, or who, is inside. Enter the mystery! We're with you every step of the way and can't wait to read what you'll write about it.
"No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader." (Robert Frost)
Christine Stewart is an artist-in-residence with Creative Alliance in Baltimore. She has an M.A. and M.F.A. in creative writing and poetry, is the recipient of a Ruth Lilly Fellowship, a Pushcart Prize nominee, and has been published in Poetry, Ploughshares, and other literary magazines. She mentors and leads private workshops for adults and teens, and has taught writing in the extension programs at Los Angeles Valley College and Pasadena City College in California. Grab your copy of the upcoming "The 30-Day Writing Challenge," and get a FREE writing evaluation. Details at http://www.therealwriter.com
 Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:51:42 GMT Microsoft refunding gamers, Games for Windows Live goes free - Ars Technica
Ars Technica - By Frank Caron | Published: July 23, 2008 - 07:06PM CT PC gaming wasn't a huge factor at this year's E3, but it seems that Microsoft was merely biding its time before making its big moves to try and perk up the waning PC gaming market. Microsoft Drops Player Fees On Games For Windows Live Unangst: GFW Live Has Full Game Download Plans 'On The Roadmap' Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:17:11 GMT Angels' bats loom large in victory over Indians - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Normally tepid offense produces season highs in runs and hits (19). Jeff Mathis, Howie Kendrick and Casey Kotchman combine for 13 hits, Francisco Rodriguez gets 42nd save and team ups West lead to 10 By Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer The ... Mathis drives in six; Angels hold off Tribe in wild slugfest Angels pound Laffey, slam Mastny, in ripping Indians, 14-11 Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:05:36 GMT "Bad Girls" mind-set, Pierson and Parker a volatile mix - WNBA - ESPN ESPN - By Mechelle Voepel What does it take to light up a tinderbox? Just a spark. Or in the case of the Detroit-Los Angeles scuffle with 4.6 seconds left of a WNBA game Tuesday, it was a Spark. WNBA reviewing fight between Detroit, LA players Don't make Mahorn the bad boy in WNBA scuffle Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:15:40 GMT US House Approves Fannie-Freddie Bill by 272-152 (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Brian Faler July 23 (Bloomberg) -- The US House of Representatives approved legislation designed to shore up confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and stem the record surge in mortgage foreclosures, sending the bill to the Senate. Video: House OKs Rescue for Homeowners, Freddie, Fannie US mortgages: Bush relents on veto threat to Fannie and Freddie ... Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:37:49 GMT Genetic Cause of Statin-Related Muscle Pain Found - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Ed Edelson WEDNESDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- British researchers have discovered a genetic variant that causes some people who take cholesterol-lowering statins to have the muscle weakness called myopathy. 7 Reasons Not to Dismiss Statin-Caused Pain Discovery may boost statin safety Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:59:27 GMT "Dark Knight" beats total of previous Batman film - Reuters
Reuters - By Dean Goodman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - After just six days of release in North America, the new Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" has grossed more domestically than its predecessor did in its entire run, distributor Warner Bros. Video: 'Dark Knight' Sets Weekend Box Office Record 'Dark Knight' may be summer's highest-grossing film Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:19:56 GMT Google unfurls less laughable Wikipedia - Register
Register - By Cade Metz in San Francisco → More by this author Back in December, the search engine cum world power announced an anyone-can-edit online encyclopedia it insists on calling Knol, and this morning, with a post to The Official Google Blog, ... Google Launches Knol, The Monetizable Wikipedia Google opens Knol website, a wiki with bylines Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:46:16 GMT Increase Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... We had a winter storm the other day here in... Read More Who do you know who is feeling stuck, under-performing, or... Read More After studying scores of great thinkers like Leonardo Da Vinci,... Read More Creativity is one of the most important keys to success... Read More Do you ever encounter problems, challenges or obstacles in your... Read More In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition.They offered... Read More You're stepping onto the stage, amidst opening night flurry and... Read More Spring is in full bloom, which means it's 'get back... Read More Creativity alone can make you money and no matter what... Read More For the past several years, I have found joy working... Read More SoulCollage? is a unique blend of spiritual practice and the... Read More All things begin in consciousness.Consciousness originates everything that is manifest.... Read More Bring to mind a time when you decided that you... Read More BRAINSTORMING: The basic tool used in generating many possible solutions... Read More "For the love a' creation!", my father was fond of... Read More Creativity is the gift to mankind. This is not the... Read More Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More Clutter is one of my favourite topics, and I've written... Read More How many times does an artist stare down at that... Read More With news about Iraq and London and even our own... Read More I recently saw a program on television wherein the participants... Read More "It's a free country," they say. "Celebrate our independence," I... Read More Here in England September represents the end of Summer and... Read More "What cannot letters inspire? They have souls; they can speak;... Read More What do you enjoy most about going on an Artist... Read More
Adsense
websites
Creative Dreams - What Winter Driving Taught Me
Is Your Team Suffering from FWTS?
How To Entertain A Thought
Internet Business: 10 Important Creative Ways To Get New Product Ideas
7 Techniques to Supercharge your Creativity and Solve your Problems
Break An Egg For Creativity
Breathing Out Stage Fright
Creativity and Communication Lessons from Crossing the Street
Be Creative to Get Money
The Healing Powers of Journaling
SoulCollage - Combining Collage Fun with Spiritual Practice
Creating Success
How A Creation Box Can Work For You
Brainstorming Effectively
My Work Is My Play - The Journey From Survival to Creativity
Creativity
Creativity Management ? Overcoming Blocks
Connect with Your Surroundings
Overcoming Artists Block (Part 1)
A Book About Faith and Love
Take Time To Think
Mindfulness and Independence: Observing Fireworks
What is Creativity?
Gift of a Letter
Make EVERY DAY An Artist Retreat Day
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Creativity Management ? Overcoming Blocks
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Sleep and Creativity
In my life, sleep is the number one way that... Read More
How to Make Time for Art
The key to making time for art is the ability... Read More
Creativity Management and Team Size
Effective team structure is critical when managing creativity and creative... Read More
You Dont Have To Be An Artist To Be Creative
Imagine that a block of ice has been set on... Read More
Story and Screenplay Structure
Structure is beneficial to creative output in a number of... Read More
Go Ahead and Think Outside the Box!
I am trying to create a discipline where I blog... Read More
Creativity Management ? Sustainability through Passion
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
How Do You Paint New Age
About once every year or so, I take a critical... Read More
Creativity Stereotypes ? Are They Holding You Back?
Here's a quick quiz:1) When I see a see a... Read More
Art, Artists and Money
Practical money tips for people in the arts.1. Sock it... Read More
Make EVERY DAY An Artist Retreat Day
What do you enjoy most about going on an Artist... Read More
Mind Mapping
Ever been on a project where you had trouble keeping... Read More
Creative Dreams - What Winter Driving Taught Me
We had a winter storm the other day here in... Read More
Brainstorming Effectively
BRAINSTORMING: The basic tool used in generating many possible solutions... Read More
How To Let The Subconscious Mind Do The Creative Work
From time immemorial mankind has wished for an Aladin's lamp,... Read More
Dare to Dream
Have you ever thought of this? When you were young... Read More
Becoming More Creative -- What We Can Learn From Disney
When you think about the legacies Walt Disney left us,... Read More
Shyness - Another View
We are all born shy, aren't we? When we see... Read More
True Power Series Part I. Visualization: Image Production and Verbal Thought
(5 minutes a day) There is no limit to what... Read More
How You Can Improve Your Creativity - What You Need to Know
Would you like to enhance your creativity? Do you think... Read More
Unlock Your Creative Secret Weapon
It seems like this week a ton of people have... Read More
The Healing Powers of Journaling
For the past several years, I have found joy working... Read More
Improve Your Bottom Line, Kens Idea Saved over $100,000
Engaged employees can show us the way to continuously improve.... Read More
Be Creative to Get Money
Creativity alone can make you money and no matter what... Read More
Creativity |