A blogger writing words out longhand? On a paper page with a pencil?
Yep! And I couldn't be more excited.
I'm going through The Artist's Way book by Julia Cameron. I've had the book for several years and I have flipped through it and gleaned some inspiration here and there but it is really designed as a twelve week course as a means of discovering or un-blocking your true creativity. I'm don't really consider myself creatively blocked but I do deal with lots of distractions and negative thoughts of my own.
The foundation of the course is "morning pages". Three pages of stream of consciousness type longhand writing. No editing, no self-censoring, and no going back and reading what you wrote {at that time}. Wake up, write it down, and walk away.
This morning I wrote for the first time and I have to say that it was pretty amazing. I walked out of the house this morning lighter and my day is off to a better start than normal. Three pages seemed like a lot but once I got going it went fast because apparently my mind had a lot to say. ;)
I'm using a Moleskine journal with squared pages because those are my very favorite. And I'm writing with a plain #2 pencil because I love writing with pencils but as an adult I don't get to do that very often so that alone makes me happy to write every morning.
Out of this creative community, I'm really curious to know if anyone else has gone through The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. If you have, what did you think?
12 comments:
I always feel better when I write, and I really don't do enough of it. Thanks for the reminder!
Nope, but my hubby is doing a completely different course which requires the same thing and he really likes it too (although he does his in a Word doc). Sometimes just getting it all out lightens your load. I really love the idea of doing it longhand - and how cute is your journal cover? Too cute, that's how. :)
I have never done this. It sounds very interesting. And your journal cover is awesome! It would make me super happy to look at that every morning.
Ahhhhhh i did that in 1990-1993 ago...3 yrs in a row...it is great discipline and it really does awaken your creativity....
I have never looked at them again bit i still have them on my shelf....you will really enjoy the suprises...take note at the suggestions at the top.....
Oooh, absolutely loving that cover! And my desk at work shows just how far I am from embracing a paperless office lol
I received that book as a gift recently from a friend who loves it...have been waiting for some time to sit and dig into it!
Oh I might have to check out that book, it sounds intriguing! I haven't done it in ages, but writing by hand really helps me sort out my thoughts when I'm going through something difficult to cope with.
Good for you! I picked it up about a month ago again too, but keep getting distracted. :(
Wonder if it would work for jogging a dissertation into gear... ?
Anyway, high five for the pencil! I'm addicted to mechanical pencils, and there is a specific kind that I like and always use. I write sloppier in pen, and I hate it. :)
Two summers ago I did all the exercises in the book. The morning pages really are great for self discovery. I got out of the habit after a few months... Maybe I'll get back into it! There is something powerful about the physical act of handwriting and total stream of consciousness.
I haven't seen the book but it sounds very worth exploring! In love with your journal cover.............
This sounds like a great thing to try - if even for a week to get yourself back into balance! I try to only look at my to-do list in the morning and when I cross something off. It keeps me sane just having it written down rather than constantly thinking about what to do next!
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