Contemplative Writing, part 3

 

In my college class on Contemplative Writing, several of my peers were writing on a masters level. It probably was the college writing class that stretched us the most. The name of the style of writing, and the course, was Contemplative Writing, and though it accurately represents what is being done in that style, usually when I use the term with my friends, they don’t really understand what I mean by the name. It also takes a lot more words to explain what it is to someone than makes sense for using such a term.

My 2 friends who make up my Peer Support Writing Group, along with me, are vastly familiar with Creative Writing, on a level I would say is equal to mine. I think they are on a Graduate level in Creative Writing, and I have sat down with them many times to lead them in workshops of Contemplative Writing, but it never felt as familiar to them. Everything was new to them. Which makes me think when I talk about Contemplative Writing to other friends who may not be writers, it is probably even more obscure seeming to them.

So what do I mean by Contemplative Writing, really?