creative faery

Poetry Games :)

Hello Poets!  Yes, you!   I'm excited to keep up with these writing exercises while I'm feeling hot!  It's not that my poetry is "wow" or anything, it's just that it feels good to be writing and not struggling.  Mostly it feels good to do something other than work at school!  Something creative!

Here's a link to a poem:  An Empty Suit by Robert Phillips.  The poem talks about how much you could tell who the man was by his suit, what material it was made out of, how tall he was, and other odd and end facts.

Most stanza start out, "You can tell.."  which is a repetitive format called anaphora.  I love this style because it allows you to intrigue and entice and even build your poem as you get deeper and deeper into the poem.

Here are some ideas for writing YOUR poem:  If someone were to go through your closet, what item would they find that best describes you or things you like?   (a dress, shoes, hat...or how your closet or drawers are organized)   Your clothes will be a metaphor for your personality or style...

Other options:  What does your trash or your recycling say about you?  What do the colors in your wardrobe or closet say about you?

I must say this was soooooooooooooo fun!  WHO are you?  Please feel free to share what you learn or write.  I always enjoy hearing people's experiences and delights when playing with language.

Have fundiferous weekend!

Marie

Random Facts

Valaine tagged me to write 6 random things about myself.  How do you only write 6?   JK...

Hmmmmmmm.

1.   I LOVE nature - mostly water.  I would always like to live near water because it gives me comfort and solace.

2.   Some people know this...I would really like to be a visual artist, but really struggle, because I think my younger sister stole my talent in the womb..  Ha ha

3.  Food from Texas is my favorite - bbq and Mexican food and Idaho potatoes taste best in Texas...maybe because I grew up there?

4.  I think I love teaching because I love being 5.  Kids are so uninhibited and carefree.  They live in the moment and taste the world.

5.  I have changed my career 3 times because I like trying new things and pushing myself to the "best" of my abilities.  And though I'm good at teaching, it's time to change one last time.

Tag rules: Link to the person who tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Write 6 random things about yourself. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.  I tag:  Annie, Jane, Carole

 

Another creative lesson to get rid of that editor

Well, let's try this again shall we?  I've numerous trouble getting a post out, including computer problems and a total wipeout...

I've been excited to tell you some things I've learned in my poetry class and some writing exercises that might assist in several areas, including healing and art!  It involves getting rid of that eternal editor trying to tell us we are not good enough or that our writing or art is not good enough...we get to create just for the sake of creating...hmmmm...what would that be like?

Here's the exercise that can be played with others or alone.

Get a wide variety of photos - about 10-20 - Many of you are excellent photographers...so feel free to use your own!  (I have an awesome photographer for a sister)   Spread them out on the floor.  Without hesitation, each of you pick a photo and hold it upside down in your lap.  Ask someone to keep the time in one minute intervals.  Ready, set, go...look at the photo and just begin writing first thoughts - one word, phrases, or an entire story if it comes to you.  At one minute, SWITCH!; pass the card to the next one in the circle.  At each minute, switch, and begin weaving the new picture into your writing.  You will be surprised how you find associations and get so excited,that the editor is confused and stops bugging you!   Continue this cycle until you get your own photo back and include this photo as the ending of your story too.  Read them aloud one at a time, while someone is holding your photos in order.  You will be surprised what happens.  You will also notice how each person in the circle has weaved a perfect story with seeminly unrelated items.  What a gateway to new ideas...and maybe some healing.  I've noticed many healing phrases enter because the characters and plot usually revolve around something on your mind.  Besides, it's fun!

Yes, you can do this as an individual to keep the creative juices flowing.  You will find that it inspires you in both your writing and art.  I have several new topics because of this exercise...

May you be blessed this weekend in your adventures in creativity and self exploration.  May you find the peace you so deserve...You were created to "live."

Crazy computer/crazy week

Well, this morning, I typed a really cool writing exercise for you guys and guess what?  Yep, just like the title...crazy computer ate it all up!

       It was the craziest week...might say I was grouchy - bad weather, crazy kids, husband gone, and people who let me down that I had counted on greatly...but the end of the week was AWESOME!  I got to go to the Kelly Clarkson-Reba concert with my daughters.  It was incredible!  They can really sing harmonically together.  The show started with Barbara G. from Reba doing a comedy routine.  It was hilarious!  Then they sand together with a pretty good sized band.  They can both belt out the tunes.  At first I was disappointed because, although they sound amazing, they weren't songs we could recognize!  Who wants to go to a concert like that?  Then, the power houses came out and did songs we knew.  It's nice when you know a lot of songs for both of them.  It was great hanging out with my kids too.  My daughter, Kendra, bought me soda.  Now, I know that doesn't sound amazing to you, but this is a kid living on her own and strapped for dollars who wanted to give me a treat.  I felt totally blessed to be there.  You would find it funny that they played old rock like foreigner and AC/DC during intermissions... made me laugh...but the concert wasn't totally country either.  If you get a chance, you should see it!   I got to take pictures with my girls too, but we had the red eye thing going.  New pics coming soon!

I will post a writing exercise tomorrow....I've had a blast in my classes and am finding my creative juices really flowing lately....  Have a fantabulous week!

Silencing the Critic - A Tool for Celebrating YOU!

Hello my friends!  I learned a great new technique in my writing class this week.  Actually, the lady is a poetry therapist, but we recovering writers join the club to get ourselves out of the slump...but the tools she gives us are often healing and revealing and very helpful.  The tool this week is a tool I think will assist everyone, even if they aren't writers.  I offered it as a tool for my friend who is going through getting out of a very emotionally abusive situation.  May it assist you!

You are writing a story wherein everyone whom has ever criticized your writing gets put on a bus.  In this case, I think it works if you've ever been criticized about anything, especially an emotionally abusive situation, or a voice holding you back from doing what you were created to do.  Whose voice do you hear?  What are they saying?  Put them on the bus and send them to who knows where?   They don't have to be comfortable, just get them out of there!  Continously write and don't stop...scream it out!  Shout it out!  YOUR voice will be heard on the pages.  If you get stuck, keep the metaphor going!  Make it a boring, drawn out, hot trip....keep writing!

Then, to change the channel, you begin to write about all the voices you hear that encourage you as a writer, or as a person.  Who are THESE people?  Make THEIR voices heard!  Is it a sister, a friend, a teacher, or even a stranger?  Who recognizes what you are trying to accomplish?  Who celebrates the gift of you? These are the voices you want to record, and these are the voices you want to hear over and over.  Write it!  Type it!   and put it on your mirror!   May YOU see the beautiful woman in the mirror like WE see her!

Enjoy!  And if you try this exercise and feel it's helpful, let me know.  I'm curious to see the results.  Have a blessed weekend!