Wednesday 13 March 2013

Mindfulness Writing

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Today I'm combining my ROW80 check-in with a new series on writing exercises. 

I'm challenging myself to come up with new and exciting writing exercises for you each Wednesday, to keep you motivated and thinking like a writer. 

So, today's exercise is based on the theme of 'mindfulness'. 

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it:

Download one of the mindfulness bell apps (such as Mindfulness Bell for Android (free) or Lotus Bud Mindfulness for Apple (free)) and set it to randomly chime throughout the day. 

Wherever you are, when you hear that chime you need to do one of two things:

1. If you can, pull out a pen and paper or open a blank word document and quickly describe your surroundings through the eyes of someone else. It could be a five year old that has come to sit at Daddy's desk for 'Bring Your Daughter To Work Day', or even an 80 year old who has come back to visit and is thinking how different it is to when they used to work there. 

2. If you can't physically write it down, at least try to capture in words some of the key points. 

The aim is to a) get you looking at your surroundings like a writer, and b) start thinking in words, and how to choose the right words to describe things.

If you can, do it for at least one day a week. (The bell rings numerous times throughout the day, you need to do it each time it rings). 

ROW 80 goals:

My goal was just to relax after the book launch, which I have sort of done. 

Well, sort of. I spent a lot of time thinking about where I'm going next, and how I can develop and do it all better. 

As this is almost the end of this round of ROW80, I think it's a great time to evaluate how the round has gone, and where I can go next!
As mentioned in my last post, I'm going to experiment with a slightly new direction, with a focus on developing the skills of the writing industry, on top of those of actually being able to write, which is quite exciting. 

So, keep reading for great content, new designs, and information on how to be the best possible writer you can be!




9 comments:

  1. That app sounds interesting, and since I'm into writing exercises these days, I'll give it a try.

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    1. Let me know how it works for you, and if you get any great results (or people giving you funny stares).

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  2. I've never heard of a mindfulness bell... interesting. Maybe I can put it on the phones of all my family members to remind them to leave me alone when I'm at the computer. Hey, it might work! ;-) Happy writing!

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    1. Sadly, they are mindfulness bells, not miracles bells. Do not know what it is about writing, but I agree, the moment you sit down it is as if a big sign lights up saying 'I'm not doing anything important, of course you can interrupt me!', except never when you want it to!

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  3. That sounds like a fun exercise. I love the idea of the mindfulness bell!

    Congrats on the book release!

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    1. Thanks, it's a great feeling to finally have something official out in the world.

      And I'd love to hear your feedback on how the bells work for you.

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  4. I'm willing to try the bells, because I'm intrigued. I am happily smartphone-free, and I zip around throughout the day....I may miss some because I am not in the habit of carrying my Kindle everywhere....

    My children are 11 and 8, and homeschool. I've learned to do my daytime writing in shorter bursts, and to do lower intensity stuff then. At night, as the house settles, I can focus on longer and more in-depth projects.

    I can write a lot more, and focus longer, now than I could a year ago. I am grateful, and the whole family is happier. We all embrace our passions, and support each other in theirs, so interruptions are only as frequent as needed. I also often hop up to hometend a bit here and there, which gets my blood moving, and shifts my mind, sifting through ideas.

    Now that the weather is warmer, I plan to take a walk with or without child or canine company, every day the weather is nice.

    Your Wednesday exercises seem like fun, so I will check back for more!

    Wishing you a mindfully joyful week of writing!

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