Gaia: DIVING DEEPER: A Writing Workshop - The Assignment Archive

Assignment - Album Cover

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:54:49 GMT

I was going to post this in December but I think it's a fun one for anyone who is not doing NaNoWrMo:

Inspired by Leigh-Anne's fabulous 'game' originally posted on the Nano Preparations thread. For examples of album covers we've done have a look at that and this thread.
The idea is to make your own album cover:

1 - Go to “wikipedia.” Hit “random”
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to ”Random quotations”
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album. (if it's half a sentence, so be it!)

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop or similar (picasa)to put it all together.
For the purposes of this assignment, you don't need to do step 4 and make it into an album cover if you can't or don't want to.

But, have all the elements in front of you.

The 'name of your band' is the title of your story or poem /piece.

The last four or five words of the quote are the first words of your piece.

The picture gives you more information on the theme, or an important element.

Don't overthink this, just write the title down, the first few words down, look at the picture so you have it in your head, and just write, adding onto those first few words.

Write for 20 minutes. Don't edit as you write. Don't think. Just write. Give all the details. Go fearward! Climb right inside. Don't try to come to an 'end' point. You can always continue another time, or continue if you feel to, beyond the 20 mins.

Post up in the responses to assignments board (you can edit spelling / typos if you really want, but do not make any other edits to the post).

Add your picture from flickr so we can see this.

Assignment - what you don't want to write about

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:35:48 GMT

This is very similar to some other assignments, but I thought I'd do a 'fresh' one. It's a good preparation for doing NaNoWriMo. My teacher always said that if there is something you won't write about, it clogs the energy. You need to be willing to write about *whatever* comes up, about anything. Even if it never arises, if you are holding back it will affect your writing.

So. For 20 minutes, write what you 'don't want to write about'.

Dive into a scene. Don't write 'about' the topic, 'show' it.
Give all the details. Do not edit. Go fearward!

Don't try to come to an end in 20 mins, just stop. If you feel to carry on, that's fine, and you can also continue it later.

If you want to have it posted anonymously, just send it to me or one of the moderators to post.

Otherwise post the work up on the Responses to Assignment board, do not edit what you have written.

Assignment: Confessions - CT server is back up!

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:20:51 GMT

It's back up.. go look! http://www.commonties.com/
You'll see that many of the pieces are over 50 words. So they do have lee way.

Re: Assignment: Confessions - COMMON TIES note

http://nestingwave.gaia.com — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:14:16 GMT

impact!

Rob

Assignment: Confessions - COMMON TIES note

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:32:38 GMT

I'm adding a note here about the Common Ties aspect of this assignment.

There are some beautiful short pieces coming out of this assignment, and I'm hesitant to make any suggestions to them. However, if you are thinking of submitting to Common Ties -- my comments will reflect that. So perhaps let us know if you want Common Ties appropriate comments or not..?

The pieces they've published have been very direct, very straightforward. Telling a story in very very few words. Nothing unclear. Every word counting, saying something. You'll get a sense of this from the progression of Rob's piece here. They do of course want to be shocked, surprised, touched, moved, made to laugh. So you have to go for the jugular really. I know as soon as the site is up you'll be able to see what I mean... sigh... I"m going to send them an email about the site to find out what's happening.

Here is one piece they published of mine.

In answer to: what was your most memorable encounter with a celebrity?

"No, thank you," she said, as I offered her a silver platter of petits fours. I wondered how her bulimia was going. I wanted to tell her mine wasn't going well but it wasn't the sort of conversation catering was supposed to have with Princess Diana.

Re: Assignment: Confessions

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:16:35 GMT

OH font. Gaia just lost my post.
anyway: anonymous is fine, Jenni - either as a post here or for the Common Ties site.

As far as artist guidelines: I think they want a high resolution image, or at least a large file. 2 megs maybe. I'll keep checking the site and let you know here when it's up.

You could use a photograph - either a digital one or get a print one scanned, you could draw something and get it scanned (any photo lab should be able to do this), use one of your kids drawings, get a friend to do something and so on. It can be way out and whacky, they like that. If you want to use something and 'fiddle' with it digitally - if you don't know how to do this yourself I"m sure there are friends who could - here certainly. I'd be willing to help.

Re: Assignment: Confessions

http://jensiper.gaia.com — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:40:22 GMT

this is exciting. I tried to find the artists guidelines but wouldn't work, maybe it will work later.
There is a lot I could say, but I have trouble with confessions. would probably have to be anonymous.
thanks for posting this sandra.

Re: Assignment: Confessions

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:28:47 GMT

Commenting Note: As with all such assignments, its very important to comment on the writing, not on the author. As in - treat the piece as if it were fiction. Say what works for you, what you felt as you read, where your energy was held and so on... don't think about *who* wrote it - what's important here is the writing.

Assignment: Confessions

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:18:27 GMT

I wanted to post this yesterday, but Common Ties has some kind of server error going on. I've managed to copy from cached Google pages most of the information you need below. Keep trying the website, as it would be helpful for you to read some other people's work perhaps. I'm sure they will get it sorted.

I love Common Ties, the posts they've published are heartwrenching, funny, wonderful etc. And, they have published two of my pieces. AND, they pay.

You can choose to do this assignment one of two ways: As an entry for the Common Ties book/website, which means SHORT - 50 words or less!!! - and it also means having some kind of image to go with your piece (lots of arteests here who might be able to help with that) (November 1 is their deadline for submissions.)

OR (and?) simply as a jumping off point for an assignment here. I suggest you do both: A long version, and a short version.

Below are some of the Questions from Common Ties (these may be old examples, so keep checking their page until the server is fixed) BUT you can simply answer your own question.. a riff on 'Confession' perhaps.

SO: choose one of the questions, or simply take "Confessions" as your prompt. Don't think too hard which question, just choose one. Write the question or 'Confession" down on your page. Don't think too hard.

Then, write what comes up! Write for 20 minutes. GO FEARWARD! Do not edit as you write. Post up your work unedited. Give all the details - be specific as you can. Don't try to manage what comes up... don't direct traffic!

If you want the piece to be posted anonymously, that's fine, send it to one of the moderators to post it up for you.

You might like to then, later, once you have posted your 20 minute piece, shorten the piece to 50 words. This is a great exersize actually, to really get elegant and direct and to the point and punchy with your writing.

Ready? Ok, here they are....

1. What door do you wish you never opened?
2. What is your most obsessive thought?
3. What is the smartest/dumbest thing you have done?
4. What is the one thing your parents don't understand about you?
5. What is the best/worst advice you’ve ever received?
6. What is your deepest secret?
7. What is the most shocking thing someone has confessed to you?
8. What were the strangest circumstances under which you have been intimate?
9. What happened on your most unusual date?
10. What email/letter do you wish you had sent/not sent?
11. What is the most interesting thing you have ever found or stumbled upon?
12. What is the strangest, funniest, or most embarrassing thing you have done/seen?
13. What is the most gracious act of kindness you have witnessed?
14. What is the nicest/nastiest thing you have ever said or done?
15. What was your funniest social or professional faux pas?
16. What was your most memorable encounter with a celebrity?
17. If you could meet someone from your past again, who would it be and why?
18. What was the most uncanny coincidence in your life?
19. What was your most life-altering moment?
20. Open Question: Submit your own question and answer.

----------------------------------------------------
COMMON TIES

ANNOUNCEMENT: Common Ties has secured a book deal! Our deadline for reviewing content is Nov. 1, 2009, and we plan to publish a book of illustrated confessions through Santa Monica Press in 2010. We are paying $100 for each illustrated confession in the book.

Writers Guidelines

If you would like to submit an illustrated confession, please email CT20Questions@gmail.com with the question(s) you are answering (if any - see our Questions page for examples), your answer, and artwork (see Artists Guidelines for details). Please keep in mind:

1. Answers must be pasted into your email.
2. Answers should be 50 words or less. The shorter the better.
3. We only reply to those whose answers we wish to publish.
4. We only review answers that include artwork; if you prefer to collaborate with an artist, you are more than welcome to do so.
5. Please submit your name as you would like it to appear when published; use a real name, a pen name, or "Anonymous."
6. By submitting to Common Ties, you warrant that you have full rights to your submission, and that it has not been previously published (if it has, let us know where and we will determine if we can still use it).
7. Artists retain copyright to their work; by submitting to Common Ties, you grant us a perpetual, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, distribute, and otherwise exercise all copyright and publicity rights with respect to that information at our exclusive discretion. Common Ties reserves the right to select, edit, and arrange submissions for publication.

---------------------------------

NOTE: if you post a short version here and send it to Common Ties you will have to tell them you have 'workshopped' it here, online. I suspect they will be fine with this.

Re: How this Assignment Archive works:

http://wwwstarburst2010.gaia.com — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:32:19 GMT

Wow, this is so totally new to me. I too have been looking around and seeing whats, what and who's who! Ive been reading but haven't commented. I guess when I get up enough will power. I didn't think it would be this hard to get started. Almost like moving into a new apartment building and getting to know my neighbors.
I will some how manage to get started here soon :)

Assignment - Bad Endings

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:33:15 GMT

ok, so this one may or may not work, but we are not in the business of working are we?

Inspired by Azhy and Nono:

Pull a few random books from your bookshelf. Probably novels or books of poetry but they could be anything.

Choose a title.

Write the title down. Don't think too hard, but you are going to write the ending to this book....for 20 minutes. See if you can actually hit a last line in those 20 minutes. In fact, type END at the end. Ok?

Write what comes up!
Do not edit as you write.
Go fearward!
Give all the details..

If you are drawn to write more than 20 mins, fine, but see if you can pour all your energy into it - don't go on too long, not more than a chapter or a 'last' poem... and don't forget to write END.

Post the work up on the Responses to Assignment board, do not edit what you have written.

Re: Assignment - two POVs

http://master-architect.gaia.com — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:19:52 GMT

I love this idea.

Re: Assignment - two POVs

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:14:24 GMT

When piecing together, don't be afraid to insert small bits of text to place the voices, eg give them names, say 'he said," etc, and if you are putting in a section of description, you can add small actions, don't go overboard, just enough to turn the thing into a narrative (eg he said, looking out the window. The truck moved on.. etc). Or if you don't want to insert anything at all, format like a play, but give the voices a name or a something defining eg a letter of the alphabet.

John: xxxxx

Sarah: xxxx

Or, eg

J: xxxxx
The rain came pouring down.
S: xxxx
Large puddles formed in the path.

Re: Assignment - two POVs

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:38:12 GMT

And for those who really want to be 'interesting', write one more short piece, pure freefall, pure description as in the talking and seeing assignment: "a totally unrelated scene that is viewed through a window of a house. Write what comes up, do not write dialogue but describe what is happening outside that window. Do not try to finish what you are describing, stop after 10 mins."

And interweave all three together....
(either this is going end up a complete mess or brilliant, I'm not sure!)

Assignment - two POVs

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:52:13 GMT

Time for something a little more complicated?
Inspired from discussion on this thread.

I'm not quite sure how this one will work, but lets see:

Sit at your blank page. Climb into a 'voice'. Someone who has something to say. Could be anyone (anything), talking about something that is important to them. A monologue, essentially. Write for 10 - 20 mins.

Then, new blank page. Climb into another voice and write another monologue for 10 -20 mins. This monologue could be a response to the first person, or, just their own rant. I'd let it be whatever it wants to be, i.e. don't read the first bit and try to make it 'work'.

Then, interweave the two pieces together.... don't spend much time over this, don't overthink.

Post the work up on the Responses to Assignment board, do not edit what you have written. If you want you can add to the post the two original first person pieces as well, so we can see what you did with the interweaving.

Assignment - A Sound Heard in Childhood

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:16:37 GMT

This is the 'classic' Freefall assignment - i.e. anyone who has been to Freefall or to one of my groups will know this assignment well!

Write down the words: A sound heard in childhood

Then, just write. Don't think, just write. Don't wait to figure out what to write 'about', just write. As you write, climb right inside whatever world you are in, as deeply as possible.

Give all the details - sensuous details..(what you smell, see, hear, touch, taste...) slow down.
Go fearward!
Do not edit!
No more than spell check (if you must) on posting. Don't change anything!

Write for 20 minutes.

If you feel to write longer, go for it.

Post the work up on the Responses to Assignment board.

Re: How this Assignment Archive works:

http://Meenakshi.gaia.com — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:16:00 GMT

And I'm glad you asked, Nancy..I'm sort-of sneaking by behind yr proverbial skirt. [well, I peeked out, didn't I? [

Re: How this Assignment Archive works:

http://continuingthejourney.gaia.com — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:35:21 GMT

Thanks, Sandra ... after a bit more poking about, I found the Responses to Assignments, and just started reading (and commenting) away. Not sure yet when I'll get around to trying an assignment, but it's been interesting to start getting the feel of this place, and meet some new faces. Thanks again!

Re: How this Assignment Archive works:

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:55:57 GMT

Well, it depends what you want to do, Nancy.

If you want to do an assignment, as in write one, then you can scroll through the many entries here in this ' The Assignment Archive' room, which is an archive of the list of assignments that are set.

If you want to read people's work, you can choose from several rooms, the Responses to assignments room, the Prose room, the Poetry room. If you go to Diving Deeper's 'home page' and scroll down, you will see other areas where creative work is posted, for example in Writing as a Spiritual Practice & Writing from the Diving Deeper Moderators...

And yes, you don't have to respond/comment on any piece in any kind of order.. you can scroll way back in time, wherever/whatever catches your eye (as with doing the actual assignments).

And, of course, depending on what kind of work you want to post, you put it in the appropriate 'room' above. Anything written in response to an assignment goes in the Responses to assignments room, whether it is prose/poetry whatever. If you have other work you want to post.. the other boards/rooms are for that.

Hope this helps!

Re: How this Assignment Archive works:

http://continuingthejourney.gaia.com — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:06:49 GMT

So, if I want to read other people's writing and make comments (after I've reviewed the On Commenting guidelines), then the appropriate place to go would be to go to the Responses to Assignments thread, and just begin with any thread that catches my eye?