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Notes along the Way #6 - Diving Deeper in a NutshellSandra said Mar 18, 2008, 3:43 PM: |
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Diving Deeper: Notes along the Way #6 diving deeper in a (biggish) nutshell What is Diving Deeper? I have written at length elsewhere about this question, and this post is my attempt to be brief, and also to inspire any discussion about this process from all participants. The following is my 'take' :-) Diving Deeper as a writing practice The main approach is one that was shared with me from my own teacher, which she calls 'Freefall'. These are the elements. - Write what comes up. (Don't plan what to write, don't think about it, just 'show up' - Go 'fearward' – write what gives you 'energy' – what makes you tingle, what makes you sweat, what you *don't* what to write about! - Give all the 'sensuous' detail - what you see/feel/smell/hear/smell – be specific - 'show', don't tell. - Do not edit as you write (and don't edit for at least a few days after writing). - The 10 year rule - If you write inspired from personal experience, generally you will find that experiences that are 10 or more years old will 'come more easily' – they are 'composted'. That's it. Very simple. They are explored in more detail in my other Notes Along the Way. This quote from Writing the Australian Crawl says it all, please read it. Diving Deeper on Gaia: …is a workshop. So: Assignments: - attempt some of the assignments – even if only the Truly Bad Writing one. Comments: - For every post you make of your own creative writing, please make at least two comments to other writers' work. Comment on all kinds of work - i.e. don't stick to your own genre, and comment on as many different participants as possible - it's easy to have favourites, but everyone needs nourishment… Learning how to comment will support your own writing. - Read the Commenting Guidelines, if only the first page or so. At the very least, these are the key elements to commenting: 1. Focus on what 'works' for you in the piece. Say what it is about the writing that 'works' - as opposed to the 'content'. 2. Comment on the 'story' and the characters in the story ( or the -I- character/narrator) as being completely separate to the writer. Never assume that the piece is memoir or personal, and even if you know it is memoir, comment on all work as if it is fiction. Imagine that you have picked up a magazine and read the piece there - i.e. that you do not know the writer personally. 3. Share how you 'feel' reading the work; share where you are engaged, inspired, curious, confused – what you would like 'more' of, what body sensations you have when you read. See if you can express what it is about the writing that affects you. Style, language, details etc. 4. This is a workshop, and that the Diving Deeper approach encourages first draft unedited work. So, generally comments on this level are not necessary, unless asked for by the writer. Note: Do not only comment – share your writing work as well. Supporting Each other: Mostly this happens by sharing our work and by commenting. But it's also great to share personally about your writing journey, or just what's happening for you. Connect with each other, reach out. If you need support, ask for it. If you feel someone needs support, ask them if they would like some. Share any tips you have – from good quotes to places to send work to for publication. Be generous with yourself, and with your writing. Don't forget that the moderators are so important to the pod, and that they are participants as well. Comment on their work. What tends to happen is that moderators work is either not commented upon, or only other moderators comment on it. (Moderators are not a 'special' group or 'better' writers, they are just like all of 'us' - only they have chosen to take on a particular commitment to support the pod and the Diving Deeper approach.) What else? Well, I'm no longer being brief.. so I'll shut up for now! Ask questions, give suggestions, enter into the world of Diving Deeper and tell us what you find….. “The act of writing bears something in common with the act of love. The writer, at this most productive moment, just flows. He gives of that which is uniquely himself, he makes himself naked. Recording his nakedness in the written word.” Sidney M. Jourard (or: She gives of that which is uniquely herself, she makes herself naked. Recording her nakedness in the written word.) |
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