Week 1 Instructions

When I write, I use a technique called Free Writing. It is a method that I learned from Natalie Goldberg in her book, Writing Down the Bones. One of the biggest barriers to writing is writing well. Many people feel that they ought not write because they are not sure they will be able to write well. Perhaps they were told specifically they could not write well. The idea of writing well needs to be gotten rid of. That is not why you are here. You are here to connect with the mystical, untamed process of writing. You are here to enter the flow of creative energy that is zinging through the atmosphere. You are here to write. Grossly. Wildly. Fiercely.

Writing well has no place here. That’s what editing is for.

The steps of Free Writing are simple, but the process is challenging. I recently had to do Physical Therapy on my shoulder. We started with some very minimal exercises, and, over many weeks, I was able to do more and more. Writing as a Spiritual Practice is the same. It takes time to train your mind to write freely. Be patient with yourself. Re-read the instructions each time you sit down to write. Feel free to NEVER re-read your free-writes.

Free Writing Instructions:

• Sit down

• Write your prompt at the top of your paper

• Set your writing timer

• Take three deep breaths

• Write through your timer without stopping

Notes:

• No stopping, no pausing, no editing, no trying really hard to be impressive…just write

• Spelling is not a thing

• Keep your hand moving at all times. If you get stuck, just make loops

• Do not evaluate what you have written, just follow the flow of words

• Write fast. Try to keep your mind moving and just transcribe what you are hearing in your mind

• If you are dictating, keep the words flowing. If you can’t think of the next word hum until the next word pops into your head