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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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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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Choir Sings Creativity Into Writing Life

Choir Raises Bar for Writers

Welcome to December’s Grow Your Flow Blog! This month we are finding definitions using the Dictionary of Word Origins: the Histories of More Than 8,000 English Language Words by John Ayto. All words this month are related to holidays. Today’s word-of-the-day selection is choir (noun) – Modern choirs merely sing, but far back in time they danced, too. The word ultimately comes from the Greek khoros, which in ancient Greek drama signified a group of singers and dancers who commented on the action of the play  (the element of dance is preserved in choreography). This week the choir of Theatre Winter Haven sang at the tree lighting ceremony in my new hometown in Central Florida. While there was no dancing, the group harmonized to classic carols with gusto.

Sounds of the season with Theater Winter Haven.
Just as choirs harmonize, so must writing teams.

Musical Term’s Connotative Meaning

Just as sopranos usually carry the melody and the altos, baritones, and bass make up the harmony, so do writing teams work together to complete book projects. First, the writer completes several drafts while working with an editor. Second, a proofreader does meticulous work at catching stray errors in spelling and grammar. Finally, a publisher takes the book from manuscript to published book in hard book and e-book formats. Afterwards, both authors and public relations specialists promote the book.

When a book is self-published, it may look more like a trio of singers with a writer, editor or book designer, and proofreader. Conversely, when a book is created with a major publishing house, the complex harmony of editorial staff members, publicists, and public relation groups blended work. These resemble epic choral groups like The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Interested in their music? See this video that is performed to Silent Night from their website: https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/watch-listen/watch-videos/christmas-music-videos.html 

The Message of This Term Sings

The message of choir is one of cooperation: Carry the tune you were meant to sing. Sing it well. Never strain by singing others’ parts. And know all the while it takes both the melody and harmony to create that which is needed.

Your Turn

Take out your journal. Write about a time you either were a part of a choir or watched one perform. What aspects of team work can you draw from a choir that can be used in your current writing projects? Make a note to try one or more this month.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

 

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Write What You Know to Flow

Writing Familiar Topics Helps Flow

One of the best ways to enter flow – and sustain ongoing attempts – is to write about topics you know. This #write31days challenge about flow is something I’ve worked on since I was 16. It started with my excellent Advanced Biology teacher, Mr. Brightly, who wanted us to do a study using a subject.

To enter flow, write what you know.

Finding a Subject to Study

If you enter flow by writing what you know, the subject often will appear in your path. My subject happened to crawl right into my path! My baby sister, Maribeth, became my subject. She was just learning to talk and a prefect fit for the linguistics study. I measured all of her repeated consonant-vowel combinations like ba, da, ma, ri, among others, for an hour a day noting the frequency. Also, I tried to determine their meaning. The findings I recall were mostly based on family:

  • “ma” was repeated most frequently as an expression for our mother
  • “ri” was second as her truncated version of  my name, “mah-RE-sah”.
  • “da” came in third, as a way to call – an entertain – our dad.

And the Point is?

The point of this illustration is not so much the study itself, but the subject herself. My baby sister was six months old. I already lived with her. We sat around the table – she in a highchair- each night for dinner. I had an assignment that might have been very hard if I hadn’t looked around – and down – to see my subject cruise right by. The observation was for more than a diary entry; it was for coursework. Now it could be used as an essay, a memoir piece, or, you guessed it, a blog post!

Entering Flow from What You Know

Anyone can enter flow by simply writing what they know. It can be for business promotion and advertisement, (Time to make the donuts. I made the donuts, The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup, I am stuck on BandAids brand cause BandAids stuck on me). Using what you know can help you write a winning grant proposal. Your constituents may relate to your funder through something common, say soccer, which has global impact. And you can even write what you know to grab the attention of the committee or department head in a status report. In doing so, you set a friendly tone to a meeting by discussing the upcoming holiday season.

Your Turn…

Difficult subjects break down into essential chunks of friendly information once you approach them from a point of familiarity. Give it a try today. Give that staff memo a personal touch by remembering something special about the week – I’m sure we are ready for some hot apple cider from the Keurig due to the crisp fall air. Thanks, Jan, for bringing in donuts this week, too – and see if that doesn’t align you with additional flow. You will be able to complete the  job with humanistic flare.

Here’s to Growing Your Flow,

Marisa

 

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Basics Back Good Copy and Content Writing

Here’s the Scoop on Keeping Content Fresh

Want to keep copy and content wiring fresh? Here’s the scoop: go back to the basics for clear writing.

Great copy and content writing are expensive ways to promote products and services. The cost is factored by considering the assignment’s concept, draft, editing, and delivery. Additionally, the quality of writing of professional writers is influenced by many things, including: Professional background; Advanced degrees and continuing education;  And, the variety of lifestyle experiences that contribute to overall knowledge. More importantly, great writing results from a keen appreciation for the basics in grammar and punctuation. Knowing when to break the rules, and when to stick with them, creates memorable campaigns. Why are these qualifications so important?

Because, every word counts.

Some Suggestions for Timely Text

If you are creating your own copy or content writing, you will want to be scrupulous about your posts, blogs, and email writing, too. It lends to an overall appearance of excellent work. Moreover, this gives credibility to professionalism. To gain potential clients’ trust, use a few tried-and-true rules:

  1. Write in the active voice. The use of passive construction takes more words and loses energy.
  2. Choose precise wording. This is sort of important to get the point across.
  3. Add interest with shorter sentences mixed with longer ones. It matters. The mix of the two makes for more pleasurable reading.
  4. Avoid excessive punctuation!!! THE SAME GOES FOR WRITING IN ALL CAPS. Or. Writing. One. Word. Sentences. Or. Paragraphs. Just say, “No!”
  5. Use shorter words for clarity. The utilization of longer forms of verbiage increases loquacity at the expense of clarification of textual references.
  6. Impress with wording. Make it sound positive, vibrant, and motivating. Irritating, overbearing, and angry writing is often counterproductive and prevents customers from desiring a product or service. Remember, mood matters.
  7. Prevent writing from sounding too hip, overly chic, or extensively exotic for the product or service being sold. Over-exaggeration does not build trust.

Finally, basics in brevity, clarity, and mood help to create great copy and content writing. Follow the above suggestions to write your own work. Or, contact us at info@wewriteitright.com to help you create memorable product and service descriptions to promote your business with flair.