WritingSession2007

During the writing session led by NaomiKarten and JohannaRothman, we did several writing exercises. This page is one place for the participants to enter their writings.

DwaynePhillips 2007.11.08

First Exercise - Introduce Yourself

I am DwaynePhillips. I write because I cannot keep from it. I have written a few books and papers as a past time. I strive for brevity.

Second Exercise - Write Something Using Four Random Words

DwaynePhillips - my words are diagram, expectation, direction, and success.

It won't go away. This diagram; it is burned in my mind. I have an expectation that direction will come from somewhere and the diagram will have meaning. No success yet. It is still in my mind, but it has no entry. It doesn't even have an exit that I can reverse engineer. I need to understand it. If not, I at least need it to dissolve so I can rest. Please go away, but it won't.

Third Exercise - 15 Minutes - Write

DwaynePhillips - my essay

I opened the spreadsheet that my friend sent me. It contained his suggestions for a budget book.

The first sentence (the one that sets the tone):

"Develop an overall adult education program that includes opportunities for individuals to ulitize their unique skills to teach bible classes or lead class discussions that cover relevant, thought-provoking subjects that challenge participants to grow closer in there spiritual relationship with God"

Gasp. Someone please give me a piece of chalk to chew for a few hours. Something pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable even in comparison to instead of that "sentence."

First, the word bible starts with a capital B. Now we are past that one.

"utilize their unique skills" This wasn't written by a government employee, but I cannot tell from reading it. I have read this kind of stuff for years at work. A machine was grinding on the English language maximizing the number of syllables. There must be something tantalizing about the zzzzz sound at the end of a word. utilizzzze, skillzzz, classezzzz, discussionzzzz, subjectzzzzz, participantzzzzz. Skip the chalk; just give me a rusty shovel to sharpen my teeth.

Gosh my essay is harsh; I cannot keep from it.

My friend sent me this sentence. He gave me his sincere, heart-felt words. Our friendship does not keep me from gagging.

My essay is dark.

I want to e-mail him back and express my thoughts on how to open the budget book. I have a headache; throbbing, spinning.

Congruence. Center

RAN OUT OF TIME

YuryMakedonov 2007.11.10

First Exercise - 3 min introduction

I am a tester from Toronto.
I moved to Canada about 10 years ago. Back in Russia I was a researcher and had to write quite a few research papers, not to mention my Ph.D. thesis.
In my testing career I developed some original ideas, presentations, workshops, but I have no printed papers. I understand that to improve my marketability I need to have published papers, but so far I have none.
I want to fix it.

Second 5 min exercise with four random words (randomly, construct, passion, diagram)
How to start a book.

You want to write a book, but do not know how to start?
Let me explain this to you. You just need to start writing.
Start from any random idea or any random part of your book. But you need to stat writing.
Some people construct elaborate outlines or diagrams of their books. Again, you can do it, but do not waste a lot of time on this. Just start writing.
The only thing you really need to finish your book is your passion for writing. Just start writing this book today.
In this case you will be able to finish sooner or later. Just start writing!

Third 15 min exercise

You have a spare day after the AYE conference and are not sure what to do?
I have advice for you. Hike the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon belongs to my list of US “must see” attractions. This list is pretty short, it has only two entries and he other entry is Niagara Falls.
If you have only a few hours you need to go to the South Rim near the Grand Canyon village. The view from this place is recognized as the best. And what is the best time? It’s sunrise or sunset.
This view is magnificent, but to fully experience Grand Canyon, you need to hike it. Only when you see these giant walls towering above you, can you have a real Grand Canyon experience. (Yu.M. I did not like the previous sentence and would appreciate a feedback on how to improve it).
The safest choice is to hike from the Grand Canyon village to the Indian Gardens and back. There is water along this trail and it is safe almost for everybody.
If you have some ambitions and are relatively fit, you can hike to Colorado river and back. All books and park publications claim that this can’t be done as a day hike. Don’t trust them. This can’t be done in summer because of the extreme heat. However this can be easily done in late autumn, winter and early spring, when temperature is relatively low. You just need to start as early as you can see the trail (about half an hour before down), and move steadily. A bit of caution however, remember that on the way back you will be required to climb a mile!
Happy hiking. Have fun.

I was searching the web today for writing software, and came across a program that offers AutomatedAdverbsAndAdjectives. Eeep!

--DaleEmery 2007.11.11

MichaelHunter 18 Nov 2007

My first exercise is lost to the recycle truck. My second and third exercises are posted to my Freely Offered blog at http://www.freelyoffered.com/blog/plot_lines_and_story_starters/random_timeboxed_words.html and http://www.freelyoffered.com/blog/plot_lines_and_story_starters/on_extroverts.html, respectively.

Updated: Monday, November 19, 2007