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Yarn a Tale to Grow Flow

Have a Ball with Yarn as Prompt

Yarn is a good prompt for writing.
Squeeze a ball of yarn. It’s soft and fluffy to the touch. What metaphors or images arise from the sight or touch of the yarn?

Have yarn, will create! Using this spun thread to create connections is nothing new. The word itself has a secondary meaning, which is to spin a tall-tale, fable, or myth. There are some good reasons for this connection. First, yarns squeeze metaphors to create literary impact. Second, creatives can literally juggle  balls of yarn to consider how a plot can be twisted and turned to add drama. Finally, finger-crocheting can help knit together a dialogue or setting. Let’s look at yarn’s versatility as a writer’s tool below.

Squeeze Out Metaphor

Rubber stress balls work to help anxiety-filled writers and artists, but those made from yarn are better. Soft, fluffy, and light, they help us to squeeze metaphors while literally clamping down on them. Think about it. Maybe the logger who created the Paul Bunyan folklore had access to yarn balls while spinning tales of Paul and his blue ox named, Babe? Not familiar with the American tale? The city of Bemoiji, Minnesota’s website has detailed storylines for Paul and Babe’s travels. See more here: https://wewriteitright.com/sow-flow-visit-antique-shop/

Juggle ideas around while rotating these light-as-air balls to loosen up a plot.

Juggle Ideas Around with Yarn Balls

Perhaps juggling can loosen up a stuck plot. Without too much scientific thinking here, simply juggle three balls of yarn. Stand or sit. It doesn’t make a difference. Focus on the act of juggling the balls for five to 10 minutes, then write a journal entry about the current piece. See what types of connections altered or sprung up from the simple act of juggling. Need a refresher on how to juggle? Look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNigMfLNhpg

Finger Crochet to Knit a Tale

Want to bring a scene or a dialogue alive? Try finger crocheting some yarn at the desk. This works better seated than standing. Again, do not think too much about the creative piece. Think summer camp or study hall in middle school. Simply focus energy on doing the loops in finger crocheting for about 10 minutes. The process is what matters here, so don’t sweat the way the long link looks. Then, again, write a journal entry to note any new sensory images to add to a scene or dialogue.

Finger crochet for dialogue or scene development.

Your Turn

Creating space to allow images to pop up is important for writers and artists to yarn their tales. Frist, try to squeeze metaphors to enhance the story. Next, mix things up in a plot after juggling. Finally, use finger crocheting to knit together a scene or a dialogue. Choose any of these or all three to keep your story skills fluid.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Sisters Inspire Flow All Day Long

Flow Found in Sibling Gifts

My sisters’ all sent beautiful gifts for Christmas. These gifts enhance the flow around me all day long. First, I received the gift of artwork from my sister, Annie. Next, I received a lovely lantern to illuminate the evening from my sister, Margie. Finally, I was sent a delightful desk calendar from my youngest sister, Maribeth. Each item makes me feel special, which in turn helps my creativity to flow. Travel with me to get a glimpse of these inspirational gifts that say, I’ve got your back! They are all my baby sisters, but I feel truly babied with these gifts.

Morning Flow With Fresh Words

This spunky calendar keeps encouraging me along!

My youngest sister is a social worker. Working in the mental health field, she knows positive mindset’s importance. Also, MB knows I spend hour upon hour at my desk writing daily. Therefore, she helps me get my morning flow fix with a whimsical  Page-a-Day calendar. Revolving artists give this calendar an urban edge to keep the day flowing freely. Today’s mantra, I can and I will, was painted by Clair Rossiter. What? You didn’t get one in your stocking? Be good to your writer self and get one from Workman Publishing here:  https://www.pageaday.com/

Afternoon  Finds Flow in Art

My sister, Annie, gave me artwork for Christmas. It reminds me that where I am from FAMILY and LOVE intersect.

My sister, Annie, knows that even after a year, I long for my hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania. Especially during the holidays. So, voila! She sent me mixed media art that features the words family and love from Scrabble tiles and an Erie County map in the background. I look at it when chatting or Skyping. The art is not signed, but I believe it’s locally sourced. I’m feeling the flow of tenderness at keywords FAMILY and LOVE.

Evening Flow Rests in Soft Light

Like myself, my sister, Margie, lives far from home. Her gift of light, a lantern with hand-painted cardinals on a frosted Mason jar, makes me truly feel incandescent. It illuminates me and provides flow with the comfort it provides my household after dark. The light’s softness helps ferry me, as well as my husband and mother-in-law, to and from the kitchen through the evening into the night. I’ve seen our elderly Aussie cattledog gazing at it with appreciation, too.

Bringing It All Together

Soothing light of cardinals helps to increase safety after dark.

Writing in flow needs support. My sisters thoughtfulness helped me. First, words decorated by spunky artists put me at ease. Next, even on the rainy Florida winter days, my heart feels anchored to art featuring family and love. Finally, lamp light fills the hours after sunset with a sublime glow. What decorative objects help you find flow? I encourage you to take some time to see what small tweaks can be made to increase creative flow.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Day After Twelfth Night Stirs Flow

Flow Arrives the Morning After Twelfth Night

Red wreath brings glee.
A red berry wreath remind bears glad tidings beyond Twelfth Night.

Entering into life beyond The Twelfth Day of Christmas challenges even the most cheerful among us.  People don’t get too excited about the thirteenth day of Christmas now, do they? Yet flow arrives on the heels of such a day. Honestly, it is important to know where to look. My family packed up Christmas after attending an Epiphany service. And, I’m not going to lie, it felt a little sad. Then, I realized what was needed to keep the spirit of the holidays going into at least next month. What was it? A simple red berry wreath.

Flow Found in Red Berry

A wreath is a traditional sign to welcome those entering a home. This red berry wreath is hung on a pantry door in my kitchen for a few reasons. First, it recalls winter’s joyful landscapes. Where I live it is in the 70s during the day and down in the 40s at night.  So, the symbolism of a white door behind the red berries reminds me of the Snow Belt where I grew up. Next, it winds around on itself as a sign of infinity. Glad tidings, I am reminded, are reason for an additional smile. And, another. Finally, stir those images around to find a satisfying sense of flow to extend the joy of Twelfth Night into today –  and beyond.

Other Places to Find Flow Beyond Twelfth Night

Easily find flow and where it grows through the five senses. First, get out a journal. Next, walk around the office or house and jot down anything that smells, sounds, tastes, feels, or looks like an extension of the holiday. For example, note that the red earthen wear bowl can hold fruit such as apples on the counter. Perhaps a dash a cinnamon in coffee or on cocoa brings a jolt of joy. Finally, take this listing of sense-related phrases and quickly write a reflection on Christmas joys. No need to share it – unless that, too, brings joy.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Find Flow in Novel and New Approaches

Creative Approaches Enhance Flow

Liquid moonlight is used in a novel and new approach.
When liquid moonlight becomes a metaphor to inspire blog posts and collage, it is something novel and new.

Here’s to 2019 and novel and new ways to approach topics. Moreover, this new year rings in my use of a keyword or phrase for the year. They replace resolutions, because it is easier to focus on a single word or phrase than a laundry lists of musts. shoulds, and oughts. My words are within the title of this blog: grow flow. I like the sing-song rhyming of it. Reminds me of fun terms like flip-flops, chopsticks, and splish-splash. Choose any word or phrase to grow flow. Afterwards, look for approaches with these three steps. First, see the ordinary as extraordinary. Next, squeeze metaphors for more meaning. Finally, notice how these fresh takes create momentum.

Want more information on choosing a word or phrase? Here is a great article by Inc. columnist, Gretchen Ruben: https://www.inc.com/gretchen-rubin/a-fun-take-on-new-years-resolutions-choose-a-one-word-theme-for-2016.html

See the Ordinary as Extraordinary

Gain flow by noticing nature. For example, this morning I saw the crescent moon had a brilliant Jupiter near its edge. They blurred to become a jewel encrusted handle tilted to pour the fluid moonlight from the celestial cup.

Novel and new insight helps writers grow flow.
Flow is grown when we see the ordinary and treat it in novel and new ways.

Metaphors Bring Out the Subtext

I’m pretty sure Savannah, my elderly Aussie cattledog, did not care about this beautiful metaphor at 5:45am. Yet, I soaked my soul in the streaming image. It went from being a simple cup with a jewel handle to a chalice. The spiritual succor nourished me.  

Fresh Takes Create Momentum

Later in the morning, I began using the images in a mixed media collage. The images literally jumped from the sky onto my page. All that’s needed is a fresh take –  in this case within a collage – on the beauty of nature.

Bring It Together

Colaage of combined images of Jupiter and the Moon.
Combined images give a rush of fresh meaning when they are interpreted in mixed media using champagne foil wrap, Golden Book and magazine images, and a poem from William Carlos Williams, “The Winter Trees”.

Here’s to the first few days of 2019. Find flow in seeing the meanings in combined images. Move to a deeper meaning while consciously taking in the images as a metaphor. Finally, let the authenticity of the images bring greater creative growth in any professional or personal project. May the rewards be stunning!

Interested in learning more about using collage with journal writing to spark creativity? Look into the upcoming four-week online workshop beginning next week with my friend, Suzi Banks Baum. Look here for details: https://www.iwwg.org/online-digital-village/

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

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Angels Engage Winter Holidays and Wordsmiths

Angels help writers take flight.
Angels are found in both sacred and secular places and can also inspire writers to grow their flow.

Angels Move Feast Days and Writers

Today’s word-of-the-day selection is angels: (noun) – From the Old French, angele.  Furthermore, borrowed from the Latin, angelus. The Latin term is from the Greek, angelos, meaning messenger. (The Dictionary of Word Origins, by John Ayto). 

Angel examples? They’re everywhere! For instance, many churches feature angels in stained glass windows or statues. In addition, infants and children’s graves often illustrate angels. Certainly, they are printed on everything from greeting cards to wrapping paper. Above all, angel-themed entertainment hovers over this season.

And, a touching example is Richard Paul Evans tale, The Christmas Box. The book became a movie by the same name. In turn, Evans’ tender story inspired an event. Grieving parents each year can remember their children. It is celebrated tomorrow, December 6. See more here: https://www.eastidahonews.com/2018/12/christmas-box-angel-vigil-to-be-held-thursday-for-parents-who-have-lost-a-child/

The Connotation of This Heavenly Term

Looking for a miracle? Break this word down to the words an and gel. So, can you hear the words at work? Here is hope for any creative. Indeed, the word sounds like a cooking term for thickening. Why? Because, writers find relief when a project takes form. (And, this particular blog post is coming together after fits and starts with my site’s account. Finally, it is coming together!)

The Message of the Term Angels

Most importantly, this ethereal word’s message floats lightly from my fingertips to the screen: When you are most frustrated with the work, then that is when we are most at your side to assist you. Keep writing. Get it down. We are here to help you!

Your Turn

Light a candle. (If you missed yesterday’s post on the importance of candlelight for inspiration, see here: https://wewriteitright.com/candle-illuminates-holidays-and-writing-practice/  Next, open your journal. Quickly, free-write about a problem you are having with your writing for 10 minutes. Now, reread what you have written. Often, the answer is found in these speedy writing sessions begin to form – with angles.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa