Week Two: Practice the Writing Craft (2/19-25)

Natalie Goldberg is the author of many books on writing including two of my old favorites, Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind. I am ordering her latest one on memoir. Some of her writing is included in the readings for the week.   She writes:

"The basic unit of writing practice is the timed exercise. You may time yourself for ten minutes, twenty minutes, or an hour. It's up to you....What does matter is that whatever amount of time you choose for that session, you must commit yourself to it for the full period." (Writing Down the Bones)

"A writing practice is simply picking up a pen, a fast-writing pen, preferably, since the mind is faster than the hand, and doing timed writing exercises. The idea is to keep your hand moving for, say, ten minutes, and don’t cross anything out, because that makes space for your inner editor to come in. You are free to write the worst junk in America." (interview)

So in the Virtual Institute, you are challenged to take just ten minutes out of your day to write. The next step is to post your writings in the Virtual Journal. Post at least three times. The important thing is to practice writing. As Goldberg says, "The more you do it, the better you get at it." Post entries in reply to this post and remember you may comment on classmates' posts.  Feedback and response is always appreciated.