Writing for the Health of It

Check out The Toronto Novel Marathon!

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Check out The Toronto Novel Marathon!

It is a writing competition held for 72 hours in downtown Toronto, July 29- August 1st.

We have room for a few more writers.
Go to torontonovelmarathon.ca for more information and to register online
This event looks like fun. I have never written for 72 hours with others, I wonder if I would be inspired or stick to solitary writing? Would be a cool experience to try. Defiantly get some great new ideas, meet new people and hopefully be able to share your own writing.
If anyone goes would love to hear all about it.
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Writing for the Health of It

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Writing ideas to get you started

 

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Writer’s block, no time, stressed, out of ideas? We have all been there many times no matter what style or genre we are writing about.

 

Best tip I have been given: just write. Don’t think, don’t edit, don’t censor yourself just write. Free writing for 10 minutes or more can allow your creative ideas to flow, whether you use the writing for something doesn’t matter, just write and see where it takes you.

 

Below is some ideas to get your ideas following.

  1. Write about what you know and like. If your interested so will your readers
  2. Write about an experience you had during the day, can just be a regular day, try to draw out the events, emotions, conversations surrounding it
  3. Write about something that is bothing you. Is cathertic and gives you a new perspective
  4. Write about an event from your childhood, happy, sad, up to you
  5. Write about what you have learned from your parents. Can help you see them from a different view point and gain perspective on them a people
  6. Write about a picture in your place. Why do you have that picture? This could become a short story as you weave the details behind the picture.
  7. Write about something that made you laugh.
  8. Write about something that made you cry
  9. Write about a friend: can be a close friend or maybe one who you lost touch with
  10. Write a letter to your past self what would you tell yourself?
  11. Write a letter to your future self what would you tell yourself? You can see you dreams and goals before you.
  12. Write about an event in your life that was life changing.
  13. Write about an event in your life and than change it, change the ending, change the place, people. What would happen differenlty?
  14. Write an opinion piece about something you read or heard in the media
  15. Write about your favorite show why do you like it? Why should others?
  16. Write a reivew about a book or movie you saw
  17. What is one thing you learned in school you wish others to know?
  18. Why do you like to write? Be personal, what does it mean to you, how does it contribute and enhance your life?
  19. Paper books or electronic?
  20. Your view on technology, pro and con
  21. What does it mean to be healthy?
  22. Reality tv, pro or con?
  23. Favorite holiday, season, time of the day, anything explain leading the reader on a path of exploring your view on a universal occasion and what it means to you
  24. Tips or advice articles
  25. Take a book you have read, change one thing the setting, characters, plot, ending.
  26. What is one thing you would save in a fire and why?
  27. If you could do anything, no regrets, no penalties, money not an issue what would you do?
  28. How can we help others in our personal circle and in the world
  29. What advice would you give to politicians?
  30. Use a quote to inspire you and write about what you have learned from the quote

Happy Writing! Remember you are doing this for you so have fun and enjoy 🙂

Share if you used any of the ideas, share your writing using the topic on your blog and link back to me or please suggest your own topic. 🙂

Writing for the Health of It

~ holisticlifestylecoachblog ~ 1 Comment

Benefits of Writing

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We all know from a young age how important writing and reading is in our lives. In school and at home, we would spend time practising our reading skills, writing assignments and editing our work. All of these skills are beneficial as they create our literacy foundation.

However what about the positive emotional benefits of writing? This week, I learned from myself and others through sharing and reflecting, how much of an impact writing can have on our psychosocial well being.

I am not talking about writing a 5 paragraph essay or even a story with a set plot, characters and dilemma. Or worry about editing, grammar and does it make sense. Rather writing just to write. Free writing, no limits on yourself, just do because you feel like it.

Write because you want to, because you want to share a thought, an idea, a opinion. Just write because through your writing you will be able to delve deeper into who you are.

As someone said this week, ‘writing is a form of meditation’. It can transport us to another time, where just for awhile we submerge ourselves in self-expression. We find our voice. We also discover the universal connection we share with each other.

Challenge yourself to write about a time that made you laugh or cry, a letter to your future or past self, describe an item or photograph that holds meaning to you. Along your journey you will learn about yourself, allow others to see your courage and vulnerability, because writing consist of both being courageous enough to express opinions and vulnerable enough to express yourself.

I am grateful that I have found writing again because it has lead me to finding my voice.

Keep Writing ∞

 

 

Writing for the Health of it: Poety

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Assignment #4: Poem ‘I AM’

Use the blueprint of the poem, I AM to fill in the blanks using the prompts. Feel free to modify the format or change it. Allow the poet in you to emerge. By writing this poem, you will create a self-portrait. The highlighted words are the words we were given as the ‘blueprint’ of the poem.

I AM

I am an enigma filled with curiosity and emphathy for life.

I wonder if there is a set path in life or if life is random.

I hear the wishes, hopes, fears carried on the wind.

I see the land beyond the rainbow, where people are in harmony.

I want to discover how to connect, reach and empower others.

I am Alice down the rabbit hole search my way out.

 

I pretend to be ok and to know the answers and direction of my life.

I feel the guiding touch of the universe and loved ones.

I touch the power and energy flowing all around us in nature and in life.

I worry what life will bring/that I am not enough/that I will be forgotten

I cry about all of the suffering in the world

I am lost

 

I understand that to be on this journey one must be adaptable, grateful and practise self-love.

I say you are stronger than you think/thank you for today/help me find peace

I dream to find my own personal path and be brave enough tp reach for it.

I try to do my best every day, to help others and have gratitude in my heart

I hope to make a positive impact

I am me

 

 

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My Second Poem (using the same format) 

 I AM

I am talented and curious

I wonder about the direction of my life; who am I?

I hear whispers of the angels guiding me

I see the beauty in God’s creation

I want to accomplish my dreams and desires, to experience everything

I am a boat on a rocky sea

 

I pretend to know the answers

I feel the pull of my soul

I touch the energy flowing around me

I worry that I am not brave enough to take the next step

I cry over all of my worries

I am an enigma

 

I understand that sometimes you just have to let go and trust

I say stop worrying about everything that could go wrong and think of all that can go right

I dream that everything will work out

I try to be kind to myself and to be perfect

I hope that dreams really do come true

I am me

 

Reflection:

I am not a poet. I found this assignment to be challenging, yet rewarding in the end (aren’t most things). The feedback I got was great, told I could publish it. Not sure about that but am finding that this writing group is great for the soul and so supportive. Writing is a therapeutic way to purge the mind.

Challenge yourself to write your own poem using this format and share. Can’t wait to read it and love it.

Happy Writing.

 

Remembering my sister

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April 22. Today would have been my sister’s 40th birthday. She passed away from Leukemia and complications from it when she was 15.

Brenda was a happy, healthy, spirited little girl. Who liked to climb trees and knew her own mind. At age 4 she was diagnosed with leukemia. She underwent chemo and was given a year to live.

Due to complications from the medication, treatment and bone marrow transplant, my older brother donated his, she was left unable to walk, talk, move or feed herself after the age of 5 years old.

Imagine a beautiful young sweet girl full of life who suddenly can’t walk, talk, say I love you and has to suffer day in and day out in her body.

I was only 6 months old when she was diagnosed. I have always hated the fact that I never knew her when she was well. I only know that side of her through pictures. I never got to hear her voice, be her sister who shares stories, gets advice and (well tears forming so all of those things I would have loved to have done).

I truly hope she was happy even if she couldn’t express it. I hope she knew she was loved.

At age 15 she passed away from a grandmal seizure and my parents had to make the ultimate horrific decision about life support. I remember being 11years old, sitting in the hospital, not really understanding what was going on.

A couple months before this my mom had left and my parents were divorcing. Now they had to come to together to make this decision and plan a funeral.

Most of that time is a blur for me. I do remember walking into the funeral home, still very much unprepared about what was going on. Started walking down the aisle past the pews and when I saw the casket and my sister, I began to scream and yell ‘NO!’ and ran away. No one talked to me about what was happening or how to handle my sister’s death. Everyone was grieving in their own way, locked in their own emotions and coping styles.

My family doesn’t really talk about her, I know it is very painful, heartbreaking for everyone. I want to talk about her, learn more stories, but it just makes everyone sad. My dad said he is too sad to think about it when he goes to the grave every year. I suggested thinking of the happy times. I am sure Brenda would rather to be remembered with a smile than with tears.

But who am I say? A parent, sibling, family, friends, everyone grieves in their own way.

Just don’t forget or push aside the emotions is my new challenge with myself and my family. So I texted my parents today saying I loved them and was thinking of Brenda’s birthday today. My mom did not want to discuss it…ok. My dad says he thinks of her and me every day. I keep pictures of her up in my place. Never forgotten.

On facebook  my uncle littered the pages with Happy Birthday wishes to my aunt (my dad’s sister) as today is her birthday too. I wished her Happy Birthday and meant it. Yet I find myself hurt that my sister wasn’t mentioned as well.

I wonder  what her life would have been like? I wonder what my life would have been like? I wonder how my family would be different if she was here, celebrating her birthday today.

I miss her. My guardian angel in heaven watching over me. I love you. Happy Birthday.