5.04.2006

A Writer's Challenge

I'm inspired by Bobby's latest post to give all you writers a challenge.

For the next month, write something, anything, EVERY DAY. Write two lines of dialogue you overheard in the grocery store. Write a question and its answer. Write two or ten haikus, one after another. Anything at all. Feel uninspired? Write about how uninspired you are. Some of my most satisfying poems have been about how I don't feel like writing poems. Overwhelmed by impending tests or papers or a deadline? Dash off a few quick lines about how your hands shake when you feel frantic and overwhelmed. ANYTHING.

Why? Here's why:

"To think how to express some passion properly is the only way to be possessed by it, for unformed feelings lack impact, just as unfelt ideas lose weight. So walk around unrewritten, if you like. Live on broken phrases and syllable gristle, telegraphese and film reviews. No one will suspect…until you speak, and your soul falls out of your mouth like a can of corn from the shelf."
-- William Gass

"Make my life a prayer to you
I want to do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers, no compromise."
--Keith Green

"Whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God. Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."
--Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17, and Colossians 3:23

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Uninspired: a state of spirit, empty of Him, full of myself.

Breathe out my sin. Confess all. He died for it all, did He not. Of course. Take my sins, each and all, Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.

Fill me again, Holy Spirit, breath of life.

Once again inspired, until self will and world's way suck me empty another day toward heaven's eternal inspiration.

Thank You, Lord!

Laura said...

Dad, you made me cry. I always forget you are the reason (on a human level) that I am a poet.

Bobby said...

A worthy project! I hope everyone will take you up on it.

ckjolly said...

So ... you like the Pearl Earing movie ... love Vermeer's work (okay, all four originals ... all the rest were copies ... jk). But the movie ... I couldn't stand the tension. It was everywhere. Between the girl and the artist, the girl and the butcher boy, the girl and her mistress, the girl and the children, the girl and herself.

Laura said...

You're right, it is a SUPER tense movie. Yowza.

Anonymous said...

yea know....

When I pray abd read my bible and stuff, I always keep pen and paper with me... its handy when you think of something, b/c that is when my mind is most engaged and in tune with my heart, and my feelings.
I dont know, its just a good thing to always have something to write with and on.
Im not really extremely poetic, but what I write has meaning to me personally... It doesnt have to rhyme to touch me is all Im saying.

Mr. Roberts, I really like that second little stanza that you worte, its passionate.

Hey, Im taking the SAT this june, does anyone have any studying suggestions? Im totally worried and dreading it... pray for me for it.

Anonymous said...

NEXT POST ANYTIME SOON??!!

gad said...

Hey Laura --

Good to see that the William Gass quotation lives on outside of the basement in Mears Library. : )

gad

Laura said...

Hahaha -- I was just waiting for you to find it! When I first wrote this post, I googled the parts that I remembered, but couldn't find it anywhere except on the Writing Center homepage. So thanks for your contribution.

Anonymous said...

I love Keith Green!
KG's music has influenced me more than anything else on the planet almost. I have listened to him for so long. He has also influenced me as a musician, to be very honest and real in my lyrics. Actually, I'd be honored if you'd check out my music on my site. Its very, "Keithish."
Thanks for posting,
-Sean
__________________
www.SeanDietrich.com
"All of my music is free for download."