~ The Poet's Place Cafe~

by Jay O'Toole

Rated: E · Message Forum · Writing · #1937709

A place for discussion on poetry, reviews, contests, etc.

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Apr 28, 2025 at 3:38pm

#3729533

DISCUSSION: Commitment

by Dave

Many people express a desire to be writers but never actually write their stories and poems. If you truly want to write, you must realize there is no magic wand to be waved or button to be pushed that will miraculously make you a writer. It takes practice. That may be easier for some than others, but everyone has to start from scratch. Even Shakespeare had to serve an apprenticeship as he learned to craft the language and evoke its mystery and emotion.

The most important thing you will need to become a successful writer is commitment--that desire to transform those thoughts and feelings inside your heart and head by giving them a life of their own on the page. The first part of that commitment is designating a specific place to write. It can be as simple as a place to sit and a flat surface to write on. The second part of the commitment is to identify a specific time devoted to writing. Make yourself an appointment.

In her book “The Artist’s Way,” Julia Cameron recommends setting your alarm clock a half-hour early and writing three longhand pages of stream-of-consciousness transcription before you do anything else in the morning. Don’t worry about grammar, structure or even re-reading them. Just store them away for later reference. In addition to getting your creative juices flowing, those “morning pages” may help to expand your awareness through a closer connection to your subconscious dreaming. If you can't think of anything else, write about all that negativism the critic inside you is spouting. That way, you can release all that angry, whiny, petty stuff that stands between you and your creativity, clearing a pathway to a strong and clear sense of self.

Adrift (E)

Where do your ideas come from?

#1045193 by Dave

If you’re not a morning person, set aside some time for writing after the kids have gone to bed. Alternatively, you could write during your lunch break at work or on the bus or train during the commute to and from work. If you are serious about writing, you will find some time somewhere in your routine and make it a habit to write every day. That determined discipline to sit in a chair and write is known in some circles as “chair glue.”

Today’s Practice Session: Apply a healthy dose of chair glue

to the seat of any vehicle you choose and travel in your imagination to some place you’ve never been. Then report back to the group about your adventure. Tell us how you got there, what you did, and how it affected you.

Let the creativity flow from your soul!