Word on the Playground is...

Writers suffer somewhere in between typing fiercly on their laptops to waiting for inspiration to strike.

Writing is a mixed bag for folks in my circle. Some have found writing a joy and understand that rush that washes over you when you're compelled to put ideas on the page. Others groan at the idea of writing an email, let alone a whole novel. Both sides are obviously extremes, so what happens to the casual journaler (not to be confused with journalists) who wants to jot a few thoughts and ideas and can't get out of there head? Google has way too many articles about how to write so here's a change of pace: Let's talk about finding that joy.

Joy from long ago...

When I started writing in 2008, it was with the grammar and mispellings of what you would expect from a twelve year old. Normally sketched out in my purple notebook or typed at the computer in my mothers kitchen, the words were choppy, unoriginal, and pretty basic. And yet with all the errors I still wrote. And guess what? The writing was actually good. Why? Because when you take out the editor in your brain, you end up finding that you actually have something worth saying. So how do we get to that messy level of play? How to we find that level of abandon of a middle schooler who just wants to write fanfiction? Just looking at the blinking cursor or the blank page paralizes the mind with the pressure of being clever. Here's the secret: don't be clever. Don't try to force your words. Even if the first words on the page are "pasta makes butter" it might eventually lead to great article about the top five garlic pasta recipes you've tried. So here are some ideas that I recommend to get you started on the road to writing with that joyous feeling.

Set a timer for one minute and write about:

1)Everything you can think of you love.

2)Everything you liked when you were ten.

3)All the kinds of socks you have.

4)The time you ate a shoe.

5)Your first heartbreak with food.

6)The first time you decided your "style".

7)The first time you drove down a highway.

8)How many tips you can give others that are random and completely out there.

Now I can go on at length about wacky ideas to write about in a minute, but I think I'll stop at these for today. Jason Hellerman (2020) talks in their article "Forget the Gimmicks, Screenwriting is Just Telling a Story" about stepping away from structure and getting to the heart of a story.

Don't get so caught up in marking the act breaks or not hitting your inciting incident on page eleven, just have fun. Riff a little, and let the draft come out naturally...This is not a lesson for beginners, it is a lesson for all of us...So the next time you sit down to write, just write...Get it all out in the open. And see where it goes from there.

Our "writers group" on Facebook called Freewriters Club is welcoming you with open arms to share your word vomit (our affectionate nick name for "first draft") with writers and non-writers alike. Its free to join and fun to be in so check it out here.

We are leaving you in the suspense of the election results with a way to get your mind off of the coverage for atleast 24-ish minutes. Watch this episode of Charlie Chaplin and stay in it from beginning to end. This place may not have sand and monkey bars but it is your personal playground. Have a great week guys.

This article was inspired from my earlier "word vomit article" that you can find here. This was created in the spirit of play and to prove that great things can come out of freewriting.