Staring Fear Head On, Writing Beyond. Day 1

I had fear of writing before I did my first writing circle with Adela Rubio. The thought of writing (even years after getting through graduate school and teaching English to speakers of Other Languages) instantly threw me into my childhood blank page panic of a deer frozen in the headlights, not knowing which way to run. Run was what I was supposed to do, right!? It certainly seemed easier than staring down that empty page that stared back as I wondered where to start. I think I would have taken more action if a car had been hurtling down the road straight for me. That certainly would have given me something to write about and no time for perfection. Essentially Adela was that speeding car. She offered a fun and often poignant writing prompt and limited time (2-4 minutes), which curbed the prowess of my perfectionist filter. Perhaps so, but I still stood stark naked and vulnerable. It seemed Adela had me in mind when she named our first group Naked Writers. Who knew it might actually be easier to write in the buff. It’s powerful to put words on paper and then speak them to others (on the writing call). This form of creative expression with a twist gave me new voice. It was as if I had unhooked my body bra, freeing my true essence. Fast forward 6 years or so and I’m still writing with Adela, baring more and more. Today is the first of a 21 day circle with my writing sisters. I’ll include my 2 minute writings here. Feel free to join in writing as you are called, especially if it scares you.

Join here: http://bigshifts.com/joinwritingproject

Day 1, 1/1/17, Prompt: Mystery Calls

Mystery calls. Hear it echo over the land, ricocheting off the canyon walls. Mystery goes deep, yet it breathes expansive possibilities. Mystery. The word seems dark in nature to me, filled with fear and anxiety. What if I gave it new clothes? Imagine it shimmering with promise—a designer dress just for me, with the freedom to dance, flowing with grace, in all the comfort of pajamas.

I’d love to read your 2-minute writings if you wish to share in the comments below.