My ideas usually come not at my desk writing but in the midst of living.
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Early Bird Registration closes June 30. August 5-10, 2012 San Geronimo Lodge Taos, NM back to top |
Upcoming
Workshops
in 2012
Interp Writing Intensive
August 5-10
San Geronimo Lodge
Taos, NM
Advanced Interp Writing
Oct. 7-12
Wallace Falls Lodge
Gold Bar, WA
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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done.
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From Stale to Spectacular
The seasons shift, and we shift: gearing up for high season, hoping for breathing space in low. But no matter the season, the work goes on. The need for what we do continues.
Some days, it seems unending, impossible, fruitless. The stories feel tired and worn out. You think, Didn't I already tell this one? Haven't we already done this theme, this topic, this story, to death?
When your writing groove becomes a rut, it's the season to shake things up. To take your writing into new territory--and re-energize and re-inspire yourself as well as your stories--try the techniques below.
Change your location.
Sit somewhere else to write. Not always, not forever, but for right now.
 I admit I often do this because my desk is such a mess, but beyond that practical need, shifting to a different physical environment triggers changes in our attention, focus, and creativity. Some of why this works may be obvious--the usual distractions of coworkers, email, and to-do lists aren't in your face, demanding that you listen to them.
Other reasons aren't obvious. You may never know why, when you haven't been able to come up with a decent theme for weeks, shifting to the back porch or the parking lot or the broken down sofa at the local coffee shop suddenly jogs the ink loose. My favorite non-office places to write are coffee shops with large tables and quiet (or no) music, the public library, and (when the weather is cooperative) the picnic table in my backyard. I also take advantage of writing retreats--sneaking away for a day or a week--whenever I can, especially when I'm working on a large project.
Change the story's location.
Interpretive writing, especially exhibit and display labels, is often written in second person. We write as if we are speaking to the reader. Interpretive writing also tends to be grounded in place; we're writing about something that has to do with a physical space. But there's no hard and fast rule that says this is the only way to tell your stories.
There are lots of ways to change your story's "location." Here are three.
Change the medium. A story told through an interactive display is not the same as a story told through a theatrical performance or a pamphlet, even if they are interpreting the same theme and topic. Even if your ultimate task is to write the copy for a display panel, writing for a different medium can kick-start fresh approaches for it.
Change the form. Plenty to choose from: prose, poetry, play (and film and comic book) script, photo essay, picture book, and more.
Change the Point of View (POV). Instead of writing from your point of view, what happens if you write from the point of view of your boss? of the janitor? of the oldest visitor to ever visit? of something not human (the trees outside the window, sand, an ant, an object or artifact on display)? What happens if you write to a different POV, e.g., the audience is the janitor, the oldest visitor, aliens from another planet? Instead of writing in second person (Climb the hillside, and you'll find the rare flower), try first person (I'll climb the hillside and find the rare flower) or third person (Joshua will climb the hillside. He will find the rare flower).
Focus on a specific, or different, sense.
We tend to use visual imagery more than any other sensory detail. What happens if you deliberately focus on auditory detail instead? How about touch, taste, and smell?
Zoom in and out.
Pretend that your mind is a camera. Zoom in for an extreme  close-up, then pull back from the scene. For example, if you're writing about a group of people, zoom in to one person's face or hands or an object that lies among the people. Then zoom out and explore the broader perspective. Or begin with a close-up of an object, and then think about that object in a different context--a different time, a different place, a different use--and zoom out to discover what surrounds the object. Try slow zoom in and out; try fast zoom in and out.
Relax and enjoy!
In my workshops, I call this FUN: Fabulous Uncovering of Nonsense. If you're bored, burned-out, or craving total control, you'll get bored, burned-out, and rigid results. Be silly, use absurd props, try anything (well, anything legal) to get out of your own way.
Open yourself to the
surprise and adventure
of your own creativity.
Judy
Comments? Questions?
Tell us!
970/416-6353
888/886-9289
email Judy
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
I've heard from a lot of folks who say they want to come, they hope they can come, they're thinking about coming to the Interp Writing Intensive this August in Taos.
We must meet our minimum registration
by June 30, or I'll have to cancel the workshop.
If you're serious about your writing, don't wait!
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Improve your writing this summer with the
Interpretive Writing Intensive
August 5-10, 2012 San Geronimo Lodge, Taos, NM
Freeman Tilden said interpretive writing should be
"concise, focused, inspirational, and engaging."
Lofty goals for any writer!
- What makes interpretive writing interpretive;
- How to create writing that connects with the reader;
- Techniques for strengthening language, including pacing, language use, and word choice;
- Strategies for organizing;
- How to write for any length or space;
- How to write for different media, different audiences, and different uses;
- How to write for maximum impact;
- How to write even if you think you can't;
- How to take your writing "off-site";
- Humble punctuation;
- Accessing--and improving--creativity (or, the Muse will visit if chocolate is involved);
- Dealing with writer's block (or, how to get the Muse to visit if you're out of chocolate);
- and MORE.
Improve your writing this summer at the Interpretive Writing Intensive, August 5-10, 2012 at San Geronimo Lodge, Taos, New Mexico.
Register today to take advantage of the Early Bird discount--$125.00 off the regular registration! Register three or more people at the same time and save another $50 per person! Early Bird Registration prices effective through midnight, June 30, 2012 or until workshop is full, whichever happens first. To ensure a quality experience with plenty of individual attention, workshop size is limited to 15 people. Registration is first-come, first-served.
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The Interp Writing Intensive
returns to
San Geronimo Lodge
in Taos, New Mexico
August 5-10, 2012
Save $125 when you register by June 30, 2012.
Register yourself and two or more friends (even if you're not from the same site) and save an additional fifty bucks each.
Don't wait--register today!
Can't make it to this one? Here are some options:
Call 888/886-9289 (toll-free in the U.S.) or email us for details and pricing.
For more info about the Taos workshop, call (888/886-9289), email (judyb@greenfire-creative.com), or visit our website (http://www.greenfire-creative.com).
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Join us at historic
August 5-10, 2012
Taos, New Mexico
Built in 1925, the San Geronimo lodge was one of the first hotels in Taos, and the first "resort" hotel. This enchanting inn offers historic charm with all the comfort and convenience of modern day lodging. back to top |
we help you tell the story
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