Great summary. I’ve continued with morning pages this week. Artist date/synchronicity-wise ... I’ve spent time outside in my backyard and keep seeing the same animals (squirrels, small lizards, blue jays) in certain corners/fence posts ... to the point that they almost seem like backyard pets/recurring characters. Just a slice of unexpected inspiration. Not much progress on “quota” creative writing otherwise. How is everyone else’s writing journey?
This was another tough chapter for me. I liked the idea of finding things to be delighted by and writing about them. I didn't get that done this week but I plan to do it.
The no words media diet is preposterous. Don't read books or read for pleasure, sure. A social media blackout makes sense. Even laying off tv, movies, podcasts. But no words? No emails or texts? But then just a few pages later the importance of relationships and friendships? Also, I have to work. Just the idea that this is something that's feasible and then for her to say if you are resisting is because you need this the most?? To be honest, this felt like something a cult leader would tell their followers. It actually made me angry.
Ok now that I ranted about that (sorry!), the core routine is going well. I'm doing morning pages every day, the artist dates, abs the walks. No synchronicity. I like taking the time in the morning to write the pages, but I'm starting to wonder if the pages are right for me. What else could I do with this quiet time that may serve me better? I don't feel there are any real breakthroughs. But I'm going to keep it up for the last week and see how ifeel after that.
I'm not really looking forward to reading chapter 6. I'm truly starting to dislike Cameron's writing style, which makes me ultimately wonder...... do I really want to take her advice anyway? 🤔
Core practices are still going quite well. I don’t do them exactly like Julia describes in her book but I do them in ways that work for me.
I read chapter 5 and had no real new insights. I agree with Trish that ‘no words’ at all sounds ridiculous but I can see value in limiting it to a bare minimum for a bit. I have kind of done that in the past: not using social media at all for a short period and it showed me more clearly were I want to spend time on and how I could allocate my time better.
Regarding the Wall, I think morning pages and quota train you to keep going even if it is bad writing. I don’t have an issue with bad writing as you can always revise your writing.
I don’t bribe myself and to me the word bribe has a negative connotation and I don’t really understand Julia's word choice. The fact that her examples were all materialistic or food, put me off as well. Don't get me wrong, I am not against treating yourself to something when you have done something that was hard but it doesn't have to be materialistic, it could be time to draw, or go for a nice walk. Though, I think your reward should not replace the feeling of accomplishment that is a reward on its own.
Delight. This task is something I already do a lot when drawing. I often draw things that delight me or intrigue me and I enjoy it; the process and also looking at the finished object, even weeks later. Not sure how it works for me when I write about it, I have to try.
Thank you Amy, and all who participate in the read along. One more week to go!
Actually, last week Cameron's synchronicity threw me off balance. My mind kept busy thinking about it. Quite frankly said. It's the second to last chapter and as much as I'm ambivalent about the book, I'm intrigued to get to the end. Some basic things, I have found out for me such as writing with a fountain pen , my inner critical voice, but also my need to do everything really very good. In today's fifth chapter I was actually caught several times while reading. I said to myself: Is that so, Mrs. Cameron? I am beginning to understand her expressions which are frequently taken out of psychology and, I like it. The phrase 'when we write we write for love' really struck me. That is certainly one of my blocks as well. Writing for love, that's what I do in my morning pages and my words are pouring. 'Quiet your mind', that is very essential. At least that's what I've found out for myself now that I always write my morning pages. This is exactly what it does. I can't work if there are just 'too many words' flying through the air. When there is just too much distraction. While studying I always had my background noises .... I like the chapter about 'treating yourself like a precious object'. Just recently I lost 44 lb of weight in 1 year. When I started, I bought a Daruma. It was in front of my eyes in all these days and whenever it was hard, this reminded me where my goal was. In between, I also rewarded smaller goals. So, what I want to say is, treat yourself well. In between, it takes a little bribe. I will buy another Daruma for my writing, too. The chapter about connecting with other writers, that's something I personally miss. I miss the exchange between like-minded people. I too am afraid of rejection, but I think exchanging on a respectful level is important. It drives your creativity too. The best thing - for me - from chapter five was the sentence: 'I am willing to finish this piece of work even if my idea is terrible. I am willing to write badly.' pg 157. Thank you Julia for this!!! Just love it.
Great summary. I’ve continued with morning pages this week. Artist date/synchronicity-wise ... I’ve spent time outside in my backyard and keep seeing the same animals (squirrels, small lizards, blue jays) in certain corners/fence posts ... to the point that they almost seem like backyard pets/recurring characters. Just a slice of unexpected inspiration. Not much progress on “quota” creative writing otherwise. How is everyone else’s writing journey?
This was another tough chapter for me. I liked the idea of finding things to be delighted by and writing about them. I didn't get that done this week but I plan to do it.
The no words media diet is preposterous. Don't read books or read for pleasure, sure. A social media blackout makes sense. Even laying off tv, movies, podcasts. But no words? No emails or texts? But then just a few pages later the importance of relationships and friendships? Also, I have to work. Just the idea that this is something that's feasible and then for her to say if you are resisting is because you need this the most?? To be honest, this felt like something a cult leader would tell their followers. It actually made me angry.
Ok now that I ranted about that (sorry!), the core routine is going well. I'm doing morning pages every day, the artist dates, abs the walks. No synchronicity. I like taking the time in the morning to write the pages, but I'm starting to wonder if the pages are right for me. What else could I do with this quiet time that may serve me better? I don't feel there are any real breakthroughs. But I'm going to keep it up for the last week and see how ifeel after that.
I'm not really looking forward to reading chapter 6. I'm truly starting to dislike Cameron's writing style, which makes me ultimately wonder...... do I really want to take her advice anyway? 🤔
Thanks so much, Amy!
Core practices are still going quite well. I don’t do them exactly like Julia describes in her book but I do them in ways that work for me.
I read chapter 5 and had no real new insights. I agree with Trish that ‘no words’ at all sounds ridiculous but I can see value in limiting it to a bare minimum for a bit. I have kind of done that in the past: not using social media at all for a short period and it showed me more clearly were I want to spend time on and how I could allocate my time better.
Regarding the Wall, I think morning pages and quota train you to keep going even if it is bad writing. I don’t have an issue with bad writing as you can always revise your writing.
I don’t bribe myself and to me the word bribe has a negative connotation and I don’t really understand Julia's word choice. The fact that her examples were all materialistic or food, put me off as well. Don't get me wrong, I am not against treating yourself to something when you have done something that was hard but it doesn't have to be materialistic, it could be time to draw, or go for a nice walk. Though, I think your reward should not replace the feeling of accomplishment that is a reward on its own.
Delight. This task is something I already do a lot when drawing. I often draw things that delight me or intrigue me and I enjoy it; the process and also looking at the finished object, even weeks later. Not sure how it works for me when I write about it, I have to try.
Thank you Amy, and all who participate in the read along. One more week to go!
Actually, last week Cameron's synchronicity threw me off balance. My mind kept busy thinking about it. Quite frankly said. It's the second to last chapter and as much as I'm ambivalent about the book, I'm intrigued to get to the end. Some basic things, I have found out for me such as writing with a fountain pen , my inner critical voice, but also my need to do everything really very good. In today's fifth chapter I was actually caught several times while reading. I said to myself: Is that so, Mrs. Cameron? I am beginning to understand her expressions which are frequently taken out of psychology and, I like it. The phrase 'when we write we write for love' really struck me. That is certainly one of my blocks as well. Writing for love, that's what I do in my morning pages and my words are pouring. 'Quiet your mind', that is very essential. At least that's what I've found out for myself now that I always write my morning pages. This is exactly what it does. I can't work if there are just 'too many words' flying through the air. When there is just too much distraction. While studying I always had my background noises .... I like the chapter about 'treating yourself like a precious object'. Just recently I lost 44 lb of weight in 1 year. When I started, I bought a Daruma. It was in front of my eyes in all these days and whenever it was hard, this reminded me where my goal was. In between, I also rewarded smaller goals. So, what I want to say is, treat yourself well. In between, it takes a little bribe. I will buy another Daruma for my writing, too. The chapter about connecting with other writers, that's something I personally miss. I miss the exchange between like-minded people. I too am afraid of rejection, but I think exchanging on a respectful level is important. It drives your creativity too. The best thing - for me - from chapter five was the sentence: 'I am willing to finish this piece of work even if my idea is terrible. I am willing to write badly.' pg 157. Thank you Julia for this!!! Just love it.