Monday, January 28, 2013

Release it on paper and let it go...


I just finished teaching a four-week series of Releasing TheWriter Within. The pieces that my students created were responses to very unstructured prompts; my goal was to give them wide, open space to observe their feelings, thoughts, and ideas and then release them onto paper. The only rule in my class is do not judge or evaluate yourself or classmates. This environment allows for total freedom of expression, crucial to the creative process and removing possible obstacles towards creativity. 

Below is a warm-up piece from one of my new students, Brenda. A warm up is a free-write that we do after a brief breathing exercise. The idea is to just write what is in your mind at that moment.

Chaos

Like a Calgon commercial, I see the bits and pieces of the day crashing
around me. Fast moving, spinning me in circles. How to focus. Thoughts so scattered as I try to put the pieces together.

My morning; wake fast, no time to get ready. Rushing…shower, dress…what to wear. Feed the dogs. Take them for their morning walk. What now?

Get the coffee ready so that I can start the day. Four messages on my phone already and I haven’t even left for the office yet. Oh God! Early morning meeting, so many emails.

On the road visiting clients. Such negativity! Is this what 2013 is going to be like. Just let me get through January. Only two weeks in and already…dread. Is this going to be a bad year? I’ve certainly had my share. Just want a life that’s easier.

Gone are the days of irresponsibility. I wish I could get those days back but no luck. The responsibility is thick, so thick that it chokes.

2 comments:

Caryn Caldwell said...

I really like this. I could sense the franticness she feels in the mornings, and the despair. I hope February is better for her.

Caryn Caldwell said...

I really like this. I could sense the franticness she feels in the mornings, and the despair. I hope February is better for her.