#peterrabbit Archives -

January 21, 2019 By Marisa Moks-Unger

Seed Your Flow with Library Visit Part II

The Lake Wales Public Library Seed Lending Library lends to creativity, too.

Library Visit Seeds Inspiration

Library visits seed greater flow regarding work and creativity. Moreover, they install a sense of wonder in the variety of ways to reach out in curiosity. This makes sense. First, just as seeds grow into plants and bear fruit, vegetables, or flowers, so does intuitive expression grow from interaction with the media, services, and education offered at libraries. Second, the more you apply that curiosity, the greater stored knowledge is held. Therefore, the ultimate way to grow flow is by finding and visiting an actual Seed Library, such as the one at Lake Wales Public Library in Lake Wales, Florida.

Wonder why seed libraries grow in so many libraries around the country? See here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/public-seed-library

Sow Seeds to Create More Work

As I approached the display of the Seed Lending Library, I had a flood of ideas for paid work. First, I wondered who was most likely to use a seed library? How many people grow their own food and is it enough? That made me think of grant proposal writing aspects of this service. Next, I wondered how libraries like this one in an agriculturally-based community could get the word out more. The thought of a social-media driven news article or a brown-bag lunch lecture came to mind. Also, the phrases joy of gardening and fruits of labor gave me a jolt. What sorts of poetry projects could rise from this display? Finally, I considered putting a series into my blog about creating flow from library visits.

Carrot and gourd seed packets bring to mind stories that root writers in writing for both paid and family heirloom projects.

Plant Seeds for Greater Creativity

As I browsed through the antique card catalog file that was repurposed to alphabetically organizing local seeds, I was thrilled. Here are the beginnings of many plants. And, stories, too. A glance at the carrot packets reminded me of how much my daughters loved The Tale of Peter Rabbit as children. Then, the sight of radishes reminded me of another story they enjoyed, Rapunzel. In turn, an idea for an essay on motherhood and reading to children emerged. Perhaps I would only write it for them?

Your Turn

Take some time and see if a seed library exists in your area. Or, simply look through some seed packets during your next trip to the store. See what projects grow from that experience

Here’s to growing your flow.

Marisa

Scrabble Words for Flow

Create a Word Bank from Scrabble

Word Lists from Scrabble — First play the game, then get writing from your curated word list.

Sunday afternoons find my husband, mother-in-law, and I playing Scrabble. This ritual helps us to pass the time during the pandemic. The games usually run one to two hours. We have taken these games to a new level by anticipating them each week, then carefully crafting our word choices. It helps that all three of us are avid readers and come up with a variety of interesting diction.

Also, the game gets my mother-in-law’s mind off of the local paper’s with its teeming death notices of Covid-19 victims – most from local residential living facilities. And, she is now interested in the fact that I am using these word lists to write from professionally.

Next, free write for a few. Make a list of the words developed during the game. Then use the list as a springboard to write a creative piece using as many of the words as possible. Play with long and short lines. Add some rhymes. Look for alliteration. Give yourself about 10 minutes. See what images appear.

Then, select a genre or two to carry through. As a theme arises from the free write of the word list, follow the lead. Perhaps a poem rises up. Or, a one-act play. Or, both! Choose one genre knowing that you can come back and create more works from any single topic.

Now, it’s your turn! If you have a Scrabble game somewhere hidden in a hall closet, it is time to get it out and try your hand at this writing tactic. It employs procrastination by allowing you to blow off writing at first by playing a game. Then, you are rewarded for the time you invested in the game by writing a piece from the words you and others generated.

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa

TGIFF – Thank God It’s Friday Flow

Cliché Finds Flow on Friday

Congratulations, you’ve made it to Friday. And, at the workweek’s end, there is time to find flow. But, where do you go to find flow? First, realize that flow can happen anywhere at anytime. Need proof? Look at this past post on finding flow in a card and party goods store. Simply click right here: https://wewriteitright.com/visit-flow-in-a-party-goods-shop/

How Gratitude Leads the Way

Use grateful eyes to take in the world around you. Then, instead of planning to hit the bars and clubs when the clock strikes 5:00 PM, other options present themselves during these times of pandemic. Why not take a virtual tour a museum? Or, take a walk or bike ride through a park? Or, spend an hour working on a poem, and essay, or a blog post. When you are grateful for the options you have – even if you are working from home amid shutdowns – then that is enough.

Your Turn

Playtime creates greater flow. — Spirographs, Etch-a-Sketch, and Slinkys are just a few ways to re-enter flow through playtime. What was your favorite activity as a child? When was the last time you tried it as an adult?

Think back to grade school, junior high, or middle school. Think about the electives that you took that helped round out your schedule. Did you take dance or music classes? Weight training? Or, perhaps, like me, you did candle making. Whatever it might be, try to reunite your lost teen with your adult self. Take time to write, dance, sing, paint, or play with your Spirograph! You’ll be glad you did!

Here’s to growing your flow,

Marisa