Feb
24
Written by:
host
2/24/2010 7:00 AM
There is something about putting words onto paper… In response to my previous article, The Write Idea (Part 1), a reader shared a thought about writing she had heard on an NPR program. The idea is that writing can be a place to express emotions that are so big that they need to be let out, yet are too painful to be expressed out loud. In such situations, writing can serve as a liminal space, a safe place to explore our thoughts and feelings. I believe this is true and it is yet another good reason for starting a writing club!
Revisit part 1 of this series for more reasons to begin a writing club. I promised you that over the span of three articles I would provide you with a year’s worth of writing activities that can be used with a group (assuming monthly meetings). One way to use these ideas would be to spend the first half of the group time on one of these writing activities and the second half of the time sharing the writing with one another.
Here is the second installment of writing ideas:
- Say it in 20 words – Choose a story from the Bible and tell it in exactly twenty words, no more, no less. Each person could choose a different story, or everyone could write about the same story.
- Eyewitness accounts – As your group is gathering, arrange for two or three persons to come into the room and do something, such as empty the trash or carry in and leave several boxes. (Use your imagination!) Do not warn the group or comment on the situation. After the group has settled, invite each person to write a description of the event, including as many details as possible: what happened, what was said, what each person was wearing and so forth.
- Three words – Have each person write three words on a piece of paper. Shuffle the papers and give one to each person. Invite each person to write a poem or a one page story incorporating all three words on the paper.
- Write a new song – Choose a familiar hymn melody, such as “Amazing Grace” and invite each person to write new words that could be sung to that tune. This idea could be done in pairs or small groups.
As writing is shared, remember to be supportive and encouraging of one another. Most importantly of all, remember to have fun!
~Sally Hoelscher
Copyright ©2010 Different Voice
1 comment(s) so far...
Re: The Write Idea (Part 2)
Sally,
This is SUCH a cool idea!!! Thank you for sharing it. I am mulling over starting such a small group in our church.
Cindy
By solobiz on
2/24/2010 9:49 AM
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