Want more?

If we are just not enough for your creative writing needs, then check out this website that gives creative writing prompts.

http://www.writersdigest.com/WritingPrompts/

Enjoy and have fun, but make sure that you save time for the Just Because creative writing group!

Stay Creative and Sane

Listen to Elizabeth Gilbert talk about the creative genius that lives in your wall.
When the pressure of being creative is growing unbearable, tell the muse of creative impulses, which so often strikes at inopportune times, to bug off until a more appropriate time.

Listen now.

¡¡¡Olé!!!

How are we going to do this???

I have begun to search online using keyword searches such as, "how to host a creative writing group." Lots of the suggestions include having snacks and tea/coffee... well that is not going to work for us... so how are we going to do this?
I am boldly (maybe fool-hardily) jumping into the unknown.
There are logistical things to think upon, such as

• how to post our writing, should it be via the blog or might we have a link from the blog to a wiki, which enables us to upload files and allows each of us editing capabilities.

Then there are issues that need to be decided upon, such as

• Should we submit writings early?
• What does one do if he/she needs or wants to submit late or not at all?
• How do we talk about each others' writing? Do we make comments, suggestions, critiques, compliments?
• Should we define what we each hope to get out of this -- write about the question, "why spend time writing?" or the q, "why be creative; what is the use or benefit of being creative?"
  

There may be more things that come up - and as they do, I hope that we address them collectively.

Here is a exert from a website I came across (http://writingontherun.com/startgroup.html),

"There is an urban legend (which may be true) floating around that a study was done of two writing groups at Harvard University. One group gave only positive feedback to its members. The other group tore each other’s work apart. When the two groups were followed up ten years later, none of the critical feedback group members were still writing. The positive feedback group members were all writing and two of them had won Pulitzer prizes for their work."

Let me know what you think.
Thank you for participating.
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Tips and stories about creativity

Check out the interview with Lynda Barry on this NPR show from the program, To The Best of Our Knowledge; she talks about writing. Listen now!
Here are a few little tid-bits from the interview:

• If you can freeze frame memories and put it down on paper - then you can write.
• Write for short periods of time, Lynda suggests eight minute chunks.
• The thinker is a guy who will never have an idea in his life.
• Create for no reason except to be creative.
• Write down the first 10 images that come to mind with a random word.
  
• Orientate your story in space and time, know the details of the place.

Check out her book,What it is, it is a book about writing that is not just about writing.

Where good ideas come from!

Ted talks: fun stuff --- maybe this video will inspire your writing for our first assignment!
Liquid Networks
Go have a cup of coffee - then a conversation - then write!

The textbooks (so far)

So, on a whim, I purchased three books on writing.

Two contain exercises and inspirations.

The Pocket Muse Ideas and Inspiration for Writing by Monica Wood
Naming the World and other Exercises for the Creative Writer edited by Bret Anthony Johnston

The other is more autobiographical and about the writing process.

On Writing by Stephen King

The book by Stephen King, I am mainly going to read for my own enjoyment. It was suggested to me a long time ago, but I just have never gotten around to reading it, or have not thought to check it out when I was on a hunt for a new book to read.

The first two I am planning on using as rough guides in our expedition into creativity and creative writing.

If you have any ideas about other books, or strong opinions about these. please share them with me. I only purchased these with the briefest of a flip-through and am always excited about learning about new good books.

So until I hear back, I will wait on the first writing assignment...

Let the class begin...

Hi, this will be a joint adventure.
There will be homework.
There will be easy days and hard days.
You will take days off, skip out on some days - play hooky.
That is okay. all a part of life. and hopefully you will end up with experiences (maybe good maybe bad) that will be fodder for your creativity.
Being creative just because is something I do not do enough. Something that I WISH that I did more. more freely. more spontaneously. more communally. more alone. more in so many ways.
Anyway. I love words.
I love writing.
I wish I were a better writer. I wish that I just wrote and didn't worry about what kind of writer I am...
so this. This is my chance. And I would like for us to write together.
What do you say? Are you in?