The Artist's way week three!!!!

[BelovedK]

If anyone wants to debrief about week two, the thread is waiting and has been lonely (not much posting last week)

Is anyone just getting started?

I have yet to do the reading, but will do it tonight.

I have been doing my MP most every day I haven't been very good about doing the exercises though Once I am awake, I just start thinking of the things I need to do.

[Sydnee]

I just posted on week two. I haven't done my reading for week three yet, but will most likey get that done tonight while laying in the tub.

[cjanelles]

Why am I resisting morning pages so much?

It's because I never feel rested, never feel like I get enough sleep (and I don't--I get about 4 hours a night) and I really resist waking up, even 30 minutes early, because I have become a sleep-hoarder.

I'm reading the book. I'm just not doing the work.

[BelovedK]

Originally Posted by cjanelles

Why am I resisting morning pages so much?

It's because I never feel rested, never feel like I get enough sleep (and I don't--I get about 4 hours a night) and I really resist waking up, even 30 minutes early, because I have become a sleep-hoarder.

I'm reading the book. I'm just not doing the work.

That's okay, at least you are reading. Maybe you will pick it up another time and do the exercises.

[Sydnee]

Well I did the exercises, which I really, really enjoyed. It was fun to see the people I admired, and some that I was surprised why I choose them.I am really enjoying this book so far. And I did do my morning pages this morning, this was the first morning that it wasn't a "journal" entry kind of writing. I felt really good about it.

[TypingMarie]

an unexpected side effect...

I went into this hoping to finish two writing projects. I'm making progress on one of them, but I'm also experiencing a pleasant and unexpected side effect: I'm enjoying my job more.

I'm in a creative field, but I haven't felt connected with the artistic aspect of my work for a long time. I work for a very small company, so I have to wear a lot of hats and the "creative" one spends a lot of time on the rack. It's easy for me to get bogged down in the day to day boring parts of the business, never having the time to remember the creative and fun aspects of my job.

Yesterday, despite my best efforts to avoid "morning paging" about work again, my pages were filled with some brainstorming about making changes to the company's website. It made me realize just how much creative freedom I have at my work, and that I do love my job and I'm very good at it. It was an affirmation, just not at all the type of affirmation I expected from this project. I was very surprised and pleased.

[BelovedK]

That is awesome!! I am hoping to come up with some killer new choreographies through the program also, in addition to moving my pen once again

I have decided that I will start a writer's group in my area. I miss my old one so much, I loved the group's leader and miss her terribly (she is now out of state)

I have been doing morning pages, but not much else. I just keep going trusting that I will once again be inspired by a great idea.

How is everyone's week coming along?

[cjanelles]

You know, I've often heard of writer's groups, but I've never been a part of one.

How do they work anyway?

[BelovedK]

I've been to critique groups, and I didn't feel like that particular group gave me what I needed. I wasn't gunning for publication, I simply wanted to write and to see where that took me, I had a passion for writing. For a critique group it is important that you feel 'safe' enough to share and open enough to hear criticism wothout being defensive.

I have also been to 'support only' groups where the leader assigns an exercise or a prompt to do in the meeting and we all take turns reading what we have. Usually what we write in class is just very raw material and there is NO criticism allowed for that (unless asked for) There is an assignment given to complete between the next meetings which can be a bit more polished (not perfect) and the beginning of group time is the reading of our assigned writings. It really is a good way to get the creative juices flowing and to have an avenue to share our work (which is important)

There are many other ways to structure a group. I was a part of one that did floating houses for meeting space and the hostess would pick the in class exercise, that was fun I was also part of one held in a community center with the same leader each time (I miss that woman *sniff*)

I'd love to hear any ideas, I am looking to start one very soon.

[mumkenna&lucas]

I have been following your thread, you all are really inspiring!! I need to get some pp so I can order this book! Hopefully I will join you soon, although I will be very behind

[BelovedK]

Originally Posted by mumkenna&lucas

I have been following your thread, you all are really inspiring!! I need to get some pp so I can order this book! Hopefully I will join you soon, although I will be very behind

It's okay if you are behind. The purpose of this is to recover our creative selves

[TypingMarie]

Something to share

During week one I mentioned that I submitted a flash fiction piece to a blog I like to read. It's on the blog today This little piece got its start in my first week of morning pages, and is the first thing I've completed while doing the artist's way.

I'm totally open to any kind of critique, be it constructive or destructive , so feel free to pm me with any comments. Also, if you haven't checked out the six sentences blog before, it's worth taking a look around when you have a free minute. The creativity of some of the pieces is just amazing. Ok, off to do my morning pages in the actual morning for once

[Sydnee]

Hi mamas, I'm here, but haven't gotten much sleep, sick kiddos. Morning pages have suffered. Hopefully I will be back on track in a few days!!

[BelovedK]

I am down for the count I am pretty sick and didn't do my morning pages today. My kids are with their dad thankfully (I don't want them to get this awful thing)

Maybe i will feel well enough later to do them.

Oh, btw, my dear friend and the leader of my old writer's group is in town and I was supposed to see her today!!!! but I don't want to get her sick. I was devastated when she left town and she is like a mother to me, I am tempted to see her anyway and just keep my hands washed and not breathe on her. What do you think? She has always inspired me in my writing (alot)