writing as a stress release, nov 6 2009
DESCRIPTION
This is from a talk delivered in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Nov 6, 2009TRANSCRIPT
Writing As a Stress Release
Debbie Eisenberg Merion, M.S.Wessaycoaching.comdebbiemerion.com
Reading List
• Annie Lamott-Bird by Bird• Julia Cameron-The Right to Write, The Artist’s
Way• Natalie Goldberg-Writing Down the Bones,
Thunder and Lighting
Writing Down The Bones
Two Techniques
• Writing Lists• Writing Practice
Writing Lists
• Three good moments from yesterday• Three things I’m frustrated about• Five ways I can reward myself
Natalie Goldberg’s Rules of Writing Practice
Decide how long you'll write (e.g. 5 or 10 minutes)Set a timerSelect a writing promptDon't cross outDon't worry about spelling, punctuation, grammarLose control, don't think, don't get logicalGo for the jugular, anything that is scary or
exciting probably has lots of energyFeel free to write the worst junk in America
General Writing Prompts
• I remember/I don’t remember• I want to/I don’t want to• I’m thinking of/I’m not thinking of
I remember…
• --a man, (a woman, a child, a teacher)• --red (blue)• --a scratchy (or wet) feeling• --third (or sixth) grade
More Specific Writing Prompts
• Give me your morning, breakfast, waking up, walking to the bus stop. Be specific.
• Tell about the quality of light coming in the window.
• Write about swimming, the stars, the most frightened you’ve ever been, the closest you ever felt to God or nature
After Writing
• “How did that feel?”• “Were there any phrases/sentences that really
resonate with you?”• “Would you like to read out loud?”• “Thank you”
Why Write?
• “We should write because writing brings clarity and passion to the act of living. Writing is sensual, experiential, grounding. We should write because writing is good for the soul.”
–Julia Cameron
