Saturday, September 19, 2009

Live a Little: Break Some Rules


Break Some Rules? Go Ahead: Live A Little!

 
I'm a person who likes to follow the rules and have most of my life but, sometimes you can't and shouldn’t follow the rules. Once in a while, you just need to loosen up and get creative! You know, creative license? Like this, see I just broke a rule about sentence fragments, but it worked. Poets are notorious rule breakers. I mean, remember EE Cummings? Come on---EE you rule breaker you! Follow your muse today and let your mind wander aimlessly on the page. Break a grammar rule or two.


Writing Exercise


Try to write without the self-editing in your head; turn off the rule enforcer, and let your creativity out of the cage. Several years ago I tried this experiment for six weeks: to write without stopping, without editing for thirty minutes every day. I was not allowed to stop and change anything or go back. I had to keep going and move across the page. At first it was more difficult than I thought it would be, but eventually my hand would relax and my mind would go into the writing zone. Wonderful poems emerged from those free writes; it was a wonderful time. Try it and let me know how it goes.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Am I a Meteor Blazing Across the Sky?

Jack London quote

"...stifled by dry rot.."

Ashes or Dust?

“I would rather be ashes than dust. I would rather that my spark should burn into a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent plant. The proper function of man (and woman) is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Meteor or Speck?

Am I a meteor or a tiny speck of light? I would have to say a tiny light at the moment. Do I merely exist or do I make each day count?

I Shall Use My Time Wisely

I know I don't use my time wisely and have wasted too many days lately. Again I shall rise to the task of a daily blog. It has been years since I have written on a daily basis. So I shall see if I can do it now. I am a little rusty so bear with me. It's shameful to waste one glorious day that God has granted me. Recently right before a friend died she said she had so much more she wanted to accomplish. It made me think and be ashamed how much time I have wasted on unimportant tasks or meaningless dribble. I commission myself to do more, achieve more, and appreciate more every moment.