Writing Practice: Finding a Guiding Word
I had a friend reach out to ask if I have ever done any writing sessions on finding a guiding word for a period of time (a year, a week, an illness, a journey). It turns out I haven’t, but I think that it is a wonderful way to let writing practice speak into your life. Here is the process I sent him. I would like to offer it to you too.
The list of writing practices do not necessarily need to be done in one sitting, but I think the order is important. For the slow walking, it is exactly what it sounds like: walk as slowly as possible focusing on the way your foot comes into contact with the ground. Think molasses or glaciers. For the scriptural imagination, try to avoid retelling the story that you know from the Bible. Let the scene carry you into a fresh way of seeing it.
Don’t try to guide the practice. Follow the motion, catch what rises, and trust the process. If you don’t find a word, that’s ok. Writing practice is good for you.
Finding a Guiding Word Writing Practice:
Three deep breaths
Set a timer for 10 minutes
Prompt: What I am paying attention to
(optional break)
Slow walk for 10 minutes
Look at your writing, circle anything that has energy (negative or positive)
Set a timer for 3 minutes (you will have to hurry)
Listing prompt: list everything you are not paying attention to
(optional break)
Slow walk for 10 minutes
Set a timer for 10 minutes
Prompt: Scriptural imagination: scene...burning bush (I am not sure if we have done this yet, but the process is to sit for 30-60 seconds deeply visualizing the scene, focus on something non-essential...a bird or rock or sheep, start writing what you see with attention to detail)
(optional break)
Slow walk for 10 minutes
Set a timer for 3 minutes
Listing prompt: What I would like to pay attention to
Did you find a word that is filled with hope, peace, energy, interest? Write it down. Post it on your mirror. Get super curious about it. But don’t hold it too tightly. Let it do its work on you and let it go.
And remember, Dear Writer, you are worth the effort.