At the Starting Line

Image by Peter Griffin via publicdomainpictures.net

It's almost here! Are you ready? What kind of preparations have you been doing to get yourself ready for OctPoWriMo?

I could hardly contain my excitement Saturday when I came across a new journal-type book on the bargain aisles at Barnes and Noble. This wasn't just a blank journal, but rather one complete with writing prompts! It's always fun to find new prompts to spark ideas for poems or stories. I also love the daily discipline of writing morning pages (see Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way).

In preparation for sharing new prompts with you, I've delved back into a prompt I picked up several years ago while observing a 7th grade language arts class. The teacher had given the students a homework assignment the previous day and they were sharing their findings. The assignment was to make a list of where poetry hides. This prompt never fails to lead me to new hiding places for poetry (and poetry prompts).

In the remaining days until we get started with OctPoWriMo, I want to challenge you to begin keeping your own list of where poetry hides. This is a great way to spark ideas for new poems and will give you somewhere to turn if (when?) you feel blocked.

Best of luck as we begin this challenge on Wednesday! There's ONE more inspiration post tomorrow, then we'll be off and running! Have fun!

~ Amy McGrath

OctPoWriMo - Healing Words

Why write, especially poetry? If it's not an assignment for school or something that you're being paid for, why do it? 

If you are someone who might ask these or similar questions, then this post is for you! If you're already an avid keeper of journals and poet (dabbler or professional or somewhere in between), then I hope you find something new here to continue to inspire you.

About eight years ago, I was emotionally shut down. I was numb from divorce and working in a job that was smothering me. I had just reached a significant milestone in my career as a high school math teacher and chose to reward myself with a reading and writing retreat on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I spent a glorious 5 days on Ocracoke Island doing a great deal of writing and resumed a long-abandoned habit of daily journal writing (see Julia Cameron's Morning Pages). It didn't take long for the full impact of this experience to shake my world to its foundation.

Writing broke me open. Writing poetry allowed me to explore structures and forms to fit my confusing swirl of emotions that were surfacing at an alarming rate. Ultimately, the practice of daily writing and the incorporation of writing poetry began to heal my broken soul. 

As I continued to write for the next several years, I began to see several recurring themes in my words. I was writing about childhood trauma, adoption, rape, and mental illness. I was also writing about home and family. Through my writing, I found a voice for the hurt little girl that was still sulking inside me. I found a voice for the violated young woman and the scarred, scared woman that I had become. Words had become my refuge and my journal was my safe place.

A couple of years after the Ocracoke experience, I began sharing my poems through my own blog (http://seekingmeme.wordpress.com/ ) and I saw with increasing frequency that I was far from alone. I began to network with other poets and others who had similar experiences. I was shocked at how many people came forward to tell me "It happened to me, too." I became more and more certain that this was all pointing me down a new path in my life.

I am now a student (again) working toward a Master's degree in Art Therapy. I'm studying visual art and creative writing in the hopes of combining the two (along with perhaps music and dance) for a multimedia arts approach for trauma victims, allowing them to find their own voices. I believe that it is critical  to find your voice and then use it in a safe and healthy way. Personal journal writing and poetry are my safe places. 

I'll have more to say on this topic next week, along with some links to a few related websites. For now, to those that are regular writers, how has it helped you? For those that don't write, what's stopping you?

~ Amy McGrath

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Make sure you sign up to receive our updates, tips and prompts to share in this poetry journey!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Finding Your Way - "The Artist's Way"

“No matter what your age or your life path, whether making art is your career or your hobby or your dream, it is not too late or too egotistical or too selfish or too silly to work on your creativity.” ~ Julia Cameron

Do you feel like you’re not very creative? Surprise! You ARE creative, probably more so than you realize!

Have you ever felt that your creativity was blocked? Of course you have! We all feel that way from time to time!

Would you like to rediscover the joy and freedom of creativity the way you did when you were a child? Remember the fun of pretending and playing make believe? You can have that much fun again any time you want!

In Julia Cameron’s international bestseller “The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Guide to Higher Creativity”, she offers a set of tools and exercises to help you reclaim the gift of your own creativity. This does not mean that you have to want to write a novel or paint a masterpiece. This creative journey (and I do believe it’s a journey!) will help you access your own creativity in whatever area you want to innovate and bring about unique change. 

“But do you know how old I will be by the time I learn to really play the piano / act / paint / write a decent play?"
Yes . . . the same age you will be if you don't.”  ~ Julia Cameron

My husband is one of the people who would tell you he’s not creative. He doesn't write, paint, or sculpt. He doesn't dance, sing or act. He told me flat out that he is not creative. I was quick to point out to him where I see creativity in action with him. He is an amazing cook. He enjoys preparing and serving food for friends and family (and has also done so professionally for a time). His “paint” is the food he cooks and his canvas is the empty plate. So whether you want to explore one of the more traditional arts or you want to bring more creativity to the work you do, I believe there’s something for you in this book.

“Creativity requires activity…And most of us hate to do something when we can obsess about something else instead.” ~ Julia Cameron

The first tool explained in detail in the book is Morning Pages. In my own creative journey, I have found these to be absolutely invaluable in getting back to my own imagination. Morning pages sound simple, but the impact is surprisingly profound. They are intended to be 3 handwritten pages that are completed every morning. Handwritten? Seriously? Sure! We activate a different part of our brain when we write things long-hand. You don’t have to worry about anyone reading them. In fact, Julia recommends that you don’t even read them yourself. They aren't intended to be read. They are, as I see it, a morning brain dump. I use my morning pages to record dreams I've had the night before, to vent about things that are stressing me, or to make a list of things I need to get done. It really doesn't matter what you write about. What matters is that you write. Morning pages alone can be a very powerful tool, but combined with the other activities and exercises, you will soon find yourself spilling over with creative energy!

As we prepare for October Poetry Writing Month, consider trying morning pages. You will be surprised at how quickly the process will open your poetic mind!

For more information on Julia Cameron and The Artist’s Way, please visit her website at http://juliacameronlive.com/.

~ Amy McGrath