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 life, noticing more, and that’s how inspiration comes to you – when you’re present, when you’re being observant and in the moment.

This gave me an idea for an assignment for my students and also for my Wellness workshop: write a scene every day this week from your life.  A conversation, an aha, a moment of confusion, a moment of total boredom.  The most important thing about this assignment is the need to be looking for the scene, being awake to your own material.  Try it and let us know how it works for you.

Judy Collins in a New York Times interview said her songs are all “Kvetch, kvetch, kvetch, gratitude, gratitude, gratitude.”  And that’s really what essays and memoir are about too – kvetching and then the gratitude of surviving, getting through it, growing up, getting sane again.  Don’t worry about being cool – go ahead and kvetch. Then find the gratitude.