Monday at the ISI
My day began with a coffee spill and a headache...sounds like a Monday. As soon as I walk into room 447, I release a breath and feel calm. How is it possible to feel this "at home" after only a week? This morning, Peter reminds us to write more and talk less during our morning pages and it works.
As I started morning pages, I struggled with "what should I write?" feelings. On my drive I've been listening to Brené Brown and her influence seeped into my writing this morning. I came up with two questions to get me started...
1. How do I feel?
2. What is my intention for today?
With these questions guiding my writing, I was off. I wrote and wrote and wrote. I remembered my intention as the day progressed too...it worked.
Only one presentation today...feel better Steph! Peter read the profile he wrote about Kyle. I love these profiles. Each has a different voice and style and it's a perfect way to learn more about everyone.
Kyle presented today on multigenre writing. He shared things that worked and things that didn't. He shared his journey with teaching and writing. He got us to write. I confess, I struggled with the writing part and I loved it. My struggle means I'm learning and growing as a writer. Kyle nudges and pushes in the best way possible. He provides a safe place to take risks, to be creative, and to think!
I was able to achieve my goals of taking a risk in my writing today. I wrote creatively and I certainly did think. This is a presentation that will stay with me.
After lunch we met in our writing groups for the second time. We missed you, Steph! Katlyn and Natalina brought new pieces with so much promise. Lauren revised her draft from last time and we saw lots of growth. I brought the beginning pages to a book I'm writing and got such amazing feedback. (They are already in
Katlyn and I confessed our fear, or loathing, or resistance to writing fiction. We are graced with the lovely Natalina and so today we grabbed an opportunity. Natalina is in another writing group (and has been for a long time) and she often writes to prompts...it's what inspired her writing today. We asked Natalina if she'd bring prompt to our writing group next week and we'd all write from the same prompt. Katlyn & I are committing to trying fiction writing. I LOVE my writing group! Already they are challenging me to grow and try new things. Woo Hoo!
The drive home in the windy thunderstorm was scary, but the sun has already found it's way through the clouds again. What a lovely Monday!
Can't wait for our writing marathon tomorrow...
As I started morning pages, I struggled with "what should I write?" feelings. On my drive I've been listening to Brené Brown and her influence seeped into my writing this morning. I came up with two questions to get me started...
1. How do I feel?
2. What is my intention for today?
With these questions guiding my writing, I was off. I wrote and wrote and wrote. I remembered my intention as the day progressed too...it worked.
Only one presentation today...feel better Steph! Peter read the profile he wrote about Kyle. I love these profiles. Each has a different voice and style and it's a perfect way to learn more about everyone.
Kyle presented today on multigenre writing. He shared things that worked and things that didn't. He shared his journey with teaching and writing. He got us to write. I confess, I struggled with the writing part and I loved it. My struggle means I'm learning and growing as a writer. Kyle nudges and pushes in the best way possible. He provides a safe place to take risks, to be creative, and to think!
I was able to achieve my goals of taking a risk in my writing today. I wrote creatively and I certainly did think. This is a presentation that will stay with me.
After lunch we met in our writing groups for the second time. We missed you, Steph! Katlyn and Natalina brought new pieces with so much promise. Lauren revised her draft from last time and we saw lots of growth. I brought the beginning pages to a book I'm writing and got such amazing feedback. (They are already in
Katlyn and I confessed our fear, or loathing, or resistance to writing fiction. We are graced with the lovely Natalina and so today we grabbed an opportunity. Natalina is in another writing group (and has been for a long time) and she often writes to prompts...it's what inspired her writing today. We asked Natalina if she'd bring prompt to our writing group next week and we'd all write from the same prompt. Katlyn & I are committing to trying fiction writing. I LOVE my writing group! Already they are challenging me to grow and try new things. Woo Hoo!
The drive home in the windy thunderstorm was scary, but the sun has already found it's way through the clouds again. What a lovely Monday!
Can't wait for our writing marathon tomorrow...
Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.
Writing group is the best! Really excited for tomorrow, and our forays into fiction! ��
ReplyDeleteI am LOVING this writing group. Amazing writers and great feedback. Thank you ladies. Feel better Steph !
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies! I am starting to feel like myself and am expecting to be there tomorrow! I am so excited about this prompt set-up for our group because like Katlyn and Michelle, I have some developed some resistance to writing fiction along the way! Love this group! I will try to look over the pieces from today's writing group and leave some feedback before I go to bed! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a group! I love that "write more, talk less" as a way to gather our thoughts as we write -- to compose with quiet ...
ReplyDeleteKevin
Ok, so now I am inspired to have another go at morning pages as you are having so much fun with your writing. I can sense your excitement in this post. :)
ReplyDeleteThe energy in this piece is fantastic! I love how you're embracing the struggles of writing as evidence of growth and pushing yourself to try new things. I have fiction-phobia as well and would enjoy hearing how the prompts help you or how you develop your work in this area. I'd love to see a blog about it! Feeling a wee bit jealous of your fabulous writing community...Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWriting groups are a must if you want to grow as a writer. My group has really helped me. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous! I've been writing, writing, writing and I know I need a writing group, but I'm not sure how to get there. I'm planning on taking a face-to-face class in the fall with writer's hoping to find a critique group with the freelance writing program I'm slowly completing through a local college.
ReplyDeleteWriting & growing! Growing & writing! It's an intertwined process!
Keep up your great and brave work!
You are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI am more than a little jealous of your summer writing experience. I have a workshop coming in late August, but I must admit that my summer writer's notebook intentions have not borne the fruit I;d hoped.
ReplyDeleteI imagine you were tired at the end of the day, yet you shared so much of the goodness of your day, Michelle! Sounds wonderful, and happy writing!
ReplyDeleteYou're right where you should be. Sounds perfect.
ReplyDeletewhat is this writing group and how do you join?!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I admire your tenacity with writing! I ALWAYS enjoy reading your thoughts and ideas! By the way, I went to a session at #nErDcampMI on multi genre writing--loved it!
ReplyDeleteThose are good reflection questions to help you start writing. I'm gong to have to borrow those.
ReplyDelete