tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post3849401590435789239..comments2024-02-12T02:28:12.317-05:00Comments on The Writers' Group: Making A Literary Life: Writing ExercisesLynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107479565926998943noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-16352362672663278042008-07-30T00:16:00.000-04:002008-07-30T00:16:00.000-04:00As for me, I just read the Writer's Group Blog. Yo...As for me, I just read the Writer's Group Blog. You always inspire me! <BR/><BR/>I love Hallie's suggestion, too.Patry Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-85174238131091490712008-07-26T13:32:00.000-04:002008-07-26T13:32:00.000-04:00One of the best writing exercises ever is one Nanc...One of the best writing exercises ever is one Nancy Pickard gave us at a class she taught for New England Sisters in Crime. I call it the “Go to Your Darkest Place” exercise. Use it to prepare for writing the most difficult and emotionally wrought scenes and making them truly powerful. <BR/><BR/>It involves remembering some painful moment from your own past when you felt that emotion (grief, fear, hatred, envy, lust…) that you want your character to convey. Close your eyes and remember fully--what happened, what you saw, what you felt. Then write it. <BR/><BR/>After you finish, you’re ready to write the scene in your novel—it’s amazing what you can get in touch with as a writer and how much better the scene comes out.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-60426629734052000442008-07-25T13:13:00.000-04:002008-07-25T13:13:00.000-04:00I def need a transition time between the busy-ness...I def need a transition time between the busy-ness of life and my writing hours. A quiet coffee, and like Lisa, reading others' good writing; sometimes a walk changes the gears too. And sometimes checking in with blog friends, too, gets the writing started ;) Have a nice wknd.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37180398.post-66493248654211763392008-07-25T12:21:00.000-04:002008-07-25T12:21:00.000-04:00Every time I take a class with Lighthouse Writers ...Every time I take a class with Lighthouse Writers Workshop, we always start with at least one 10 minute free write and I'm amazed at what frequently comes from the exercises. You just motivated me to order a book that I've noticed has some very useful prompts: THE 3 A.M. EPIPHANY, by Brian Kiteley. I've got a couple of books with prompts, but I've noticed that the best results come from those prompts that are especially designed to force me into writing in a specific way -- as opposed to prompts that are merely ideas to begin writing a paragraph or story. I find the timed freewrite with very focused instructions really helps me to improve and I'm going to incorporate one of these into each of my writing sessions from now on, so thanks for the great idea.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00665632105920753931noreply@blogger.com