Comments on WOW! Women On Writing Blog: A THOUSAND WORDS ABOUT NOTHING?

Hi Angela, Thank you so much for your comments. ...

2007-12-08T04:58:00.000-08:00

Hi Angela,

Thank you so much for your comments.

I just wanted to show our fellow writer's that, if we are more observant about the mundane items around us. We can unleash "hidden" stories.

So many times, we all hit a
situation where we have such a build up of stress that we tell ourselves that we can't write. Well, here is a way to help get the pen moving again. I know how bad I have struggled and how hard it is to get that pen going. It was funny, when I started using this exercise, it was a challenge for me. I was mad at myself at the time, nothing seemed to be going right most of all writing. I had been working on several story ideas but kept getting stuck. At that point, I didn't want to write anymore and was about to chuck the whole idea, until I took a deep breath and came up with this challenge for myself.

By simply taking a single item like an apple, looking at it, tasting it, you already have something to work with right there. You can ask yourself, well, how does it taste? Can I put it into words? From there, your goal is to just let it flow. After you have written a bit, (thanks to our wonderful technology of computers) do a word count, see how many you have written. Set a goal for yourself, it doesn't have to be 1,000 it can be even higher, gosh I am sure so many well established writers could go above and beyond that count. :)

The initial article only took about 45 minutes to write. I wanted to make sure that I gave a good strong explanation and made it well written for our fellow writers.

The exercise was (now I am a fast typist, 85 wpm) 20 minutes of just rambling thoughts about an apple. :)

I am sure that other writers using this will find that they too will be able to get ideas flowing just as rapidly.

Given the recent strike of fellow writers, Who I commend by the way, because if it wasn't for the words that they put down, actors, couldn't act, directors couldn't
direct. The reality that they are trying to create for the viewers wouldn't be possible with out someone who sat down with pen and paper and imagined it.

There are so many people out there that DON'T realize how long it does take for a writer to spill an idea on to paper or into a computer. To create a world for someone to bring to life.

I only hope that I can help take away a bit of stress and help a fellow writer, write once again, that may have gotten stuck like I did. :)

Thank you Angela, for your thoughtfulness and kind words. :)

Happy Writing- Carrie

Great post Carrie!This is the perfect example of s...

2007-12-07T23:39:00.000-08:00

Great post Carrie!

This is the perfect example of stream-of-consciousness writing. By focusing on one thing in the room and simply writing, you can unleash so many memories, descriptions, and thoughts--it's almost like you've trapped that moment in time on paper.

And, your "1,000 words about nothing," actually ended up being something:

-You examined a common phrase and questioned the history behind it.

-You've told readers the uses of apples in cooking and in play.

-You recalled several memories from when you were a kid: being pelted by an unripe apple (ouch!), and the all too vivid memory of eating a worm! (yuck!)

-You gave us a great anecdote about the first time you baked an apple pie and presented it to your husband, which made me think of how womanly we all try and appear when we're trying to impress! It seems to be ingrained in our gender that we're supposed to know how to cook! Then, you made me laugh by saying that your hubby does most of the cooking now. ;-)

-The most touching story for me was about your grandfather--what a warm and wonderful memory to have. And, it made me want to try putting applesauce in my hot cocoa! I HAVE to try that--you make it sound so good!

-You talked about other colloquial sayings that are thought provoking. When I'm writing, I often look up these sayings and their origination. It's quite bizarre to find out where these things come from! For instance, "apple of my eye," means the center of your eye, or more figuratively it's something cherished above all others. Like most things, this saying came from the bible.

So, all in all, you touched on so many topics within the constraints of a short word count! I love that!

I'm wondering how long it took you to write?

Throughout the day we glance at things and think about them, make connections, and process our own thoughts in a few seconds. You see this everywhere--someone gazing at the impulse items in the checkout line, a person deep in thought on the freeway while sitting in traffic etc. I always wonder exactly what they're thinking about at that moment. To me, that's the beauty of this exercise. Being able to trap a moment in time and record it forever.

Hugs,

Angela

As writer's we are suppose to be observant about w...

2007-12-07T14:52:00.000-08:00

As writer's we are suppose to be observant about what is around us. But, a lot of times that just isn't the case. We overlook so much. As said in my original article. Something as simple as an Apple, being able to branch out from that topic and what I came up with was just a way for me and hopefully many others to warm up.

Even if it is to help get us snacking healthier, hey, its a step to better health maybe. :)

I am happy that this topic is getting so many to think about the "nothing" that is around us.

Angel,
great take on the "much ado about nothing."

Happy Writing- Carrie

That great and versatile writer G.K. Chesterton wo...

2007-12-07T14:14:00.000-08:00

That great and versatile writer G.K. Chesterton would agree with you on the value of making much ado about "nothing." In his introduction to "Tremendous Trifles," he says:

"Let us exercise the eye until it learns to see startling facts that run across the landscape as plain as a painted fence. Let us be ocular athletes. Let us learn to write essays on a stray cat or a coloured cloud. I have attempted some such thing in what follows; but anyone else may do it better, if anyone else will only try."

Probably not many could do better than Chesterton, but that shouldn't keep us from trying!

I had to have an apple before I could finish readi...

2007-12-07T12:51:00.000-08:00

I had to have an apple before I could finish reading. "The Apple of My Eye" is a Bibical quote.

I think I have the opposite of writer's block.

Thanks for the interesting tidbits on apples. There certainly are many ways to branch out from what you've given us.

Hi Del, Happy to help. I hope that you will find ...

2007-12-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Del,

Happy to help. I hope that you will find inspiration in something around you. :)

Another tip, if you have to go to the doctor's or are sitting in a waiting room some where, make sure you have a pad of paper with you, there are things in these places that may inspire you as well. For example, a little girl with chicken pox (itchy I know) you could write about her bumps, or how about the man that is waiting for a car with a flat tire, his socks are two different colors. You could right about his socks.

Happy writing!-Carrie

Great advice, to just sit down and write. We never...

2007-12-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

Great advice, to just sit down and write. We never know what inspiration we'll find in some of the most mundane objects or topics.

The important thing. I got you to think and to di...

2007-12-07T06:18:00.000-08:00

The important thing. I got you to think and to discover a new technique. Only happy to help a fellow writer. :)

Now you have me thinking about Stephen King, hmmm, sounds like some research to be done. Now where was my pencil.

Happy writing- Carrie

As I read your take on combating writers block, it...

2007-12-07T06:05:00.000-08:00

As I read your take on combating writers block, it reminded me of Stephen King��s take on wb. . . the scariest moment is always just before you start [writing].After that, things can only get better.

Then I got to wondering what macabre thoughts Mr. King might have about apples. Now I��ve got the makings of what might turn out to be my first piece of horror writing.

See what you started ��.