contemplative writing 7

 

Contemplative Writing 7

1. If you hadn't taught/taken/worked for/ this course what discoveries might you have never made?

Gaining knowledge about what is meant by contemplative writing, learning to write in this style, learning all writing has contemplative elements. Meeting and knowing others in the process. Wouldn’t have been as personally aquatinted with Libby. Honestly garnishing housing as part of my trade was one of the biggest things for me.

Learned there is a value to unstructured time for writers. I’d say most professions/people place almost zero value on unstructured time. I think most of the arts can be benefited by giving people the space and time to listen more deeply to what is bubbling up. Do you have to be creative to appreciate silence/ intentional unstructured time? I think any writer definitely benefits from this time, even if technical writing or researching a science book.

Most people don’t have the liberty of free write time, but my life has given me a lot of it, and so I think the course taught me to value it and encouraged me to continue writing.

2.   What first inspired you to teach contemplative writing?

I actually did teach contemplative writing with my zoom writing group several mornings during covid and again recently, less. I wanted to share this kind of writing I have specialized in with my peers. Some of them had told me they felt intimidated about writing without prompts. Writing has always felt easy for me and I have always been open with my process and I wanted to share that somehow with them.

3.  Did you ever find out what contemplative writing is?

Allowing what bubbles up bubble. Much better with certain elements, especially nature and silence.

4.   Have you been contemplative writing in the past couple years?

I have written a lot since college and the past couple years. For me I feel all my writing has been contemplative but could it have been more contemplative and how?

5.  If you were to start a cw project this semester what do you think you'd choose?

3 days a week of morning practice maybe? Just seeing where it lands. Current new ideas include developing a poetry memoir and completing a long walk.

6.  Are you writing a book about contemplative writing teaching and findings?

What is the plan for it??

I would love to help Libby with this book, fleshing out her intentions for it.