In their terrific documentary Shut Up and Sing, one of the Dixie Chicks said now that they’re writing so many of their own songs they’re starting to notice more things in their own life to write songs about. This rings so true. The more you write, the more you write. You’re present in your own…
Writing Exercises
Writing Exercises
A Writing Exercise You Can Do At The Mall
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 2 Comments
Probably the very last thing you need at this moment is a writing exercise. But here’s one that fits in with shopping and is one of the best fiction exercises I’ve ever come across. It also expands into writing in any genre. The idea comes from Twyla Tharp’s wonderful book The Creative Habit. (Check out…
Writing Exercises
WriteGirl Writing Exercises
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 7 Comments
Fifty women writers came to a potluck yesterday at my house and energy and love of writing was bouncing off the walls. It was an all day retreat for mentors of WriteGirl – a program that pairs professional women writers with teenage girls to help them find their voice through writing. Powerful writing has come…
Writing Exercises
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 5 Comments
To Do: Write about a favorite book you read as a child. Was it read to you or did you read it yourself? Where were you? How old were you? Why did you love it so much? To Do: Here’s my idea for a fantastic holiday party in hopes that you’ll copy it. Every year,…
Writing Exercises
The McNally via Goldberg Exercise
by Barbara Abercrombie • • 21 Comments
Here’s an idea for a writing exercise I found recently on Tod Goldberg’s blog. He got the idea from another blogger, John McNally – and wrote a list of what’s on his desk. Here’s what’s on my desk besides computer and printer: A yellow post-it on the phone: “4:15 #1458” (a flight my husband took…