Good Morning, Class!

Have I got a treat for you.

Patricia will be your substitute teacher (guest writer) today. You know Patricia. She’s the one who uses a ladybug as an avatar and shares what she’s learned through the years on her blog, “Patricia’s Wisdom”.

Please take your seats and try to behave as we listen to Patricia’s lesson.

Hello Patricia.

The floor is yours.

I have just spent the past 4 days helping four students stay on task and finish writing final exams. All four have been stuck at various points of their writing. Three are writers.

I have struggled and gotten all stopped up in my writing at times and this process has cost me dearly, so I thought I would share a few pearls that have come by my way and have provided relief.

Today’s Lesson

When you find yourself doing everything possible to avoid writing, or you find yourself staring at the paper and unable to think, here are some suggestions to give you a jump start.

Remember from inertia It takes massive amounts of energy to get moving. This is a law of physics. By the habit of writing daily, I keep the momentum going. Every day I write without exception, thus the hand and mind are in motion for conjuring up words and there is little hesitation.

Do silly things! My oldest daughter taught me this lesson by asking me at bedtime to make up a song. These songs were sometimes country western, sometimes opera, and on topics such as the alligator under the bed, window shades, how awful it is to have little sisters, and friends. Unless I was in the depths of exhaustion being silly lightened our spirits and made a pleasant journey for our dreams ahead. Also that she would pick a topic, made the songs a test of my thinking, rhyming and creating.

Figure out the best way to let go of toxic thinking Each person has their own distinct style. Here are some toxic things I have heard this past week: “I was failing this class 2 months ago so I have to write an A paper now.”, “This is my final essay for college so I want it to be the best I have ever written.”, “ I think this topic is so stupid, I just want to not think about it anymore.” , and my favorite, “I am not very good at this subject and the Prof will hate my writing so I should just take an F and not do it.”

My best tactic is to turn the statement around and repeat many times “This subject is so important the world needs to know my opinion and ideas – right now!” Or, “I am going to show how smart I am and how this topic should be tackled.” You can always ask yourself questions, too.

Just Do It! Start out with your toxic thinking and just push on. Write about your toe jam….log jam….strawberry jam: do not even take a bathroom break – just do it. It will give you lots to delete when you edit and maybe get you laughing when you’re all done.

Today’s Assignment

Do you find yourself getting stuck when writing your blog posts?

What is your favorite method of getting unstuck?

Got any special tricks we should know?

The comment section is open for all replies or suggestions for how to get silly, break through writer’s block and/or let go of toxic thinking.

Write on!

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For more wonderful insight from Patricia, please visit her blog at “Patricia’s Wisdom” With a tagline that reads “Helping individuals create a positive life change”, you know you’re in for a special treat. Check out her “About” page and/or dig through her archives. You won’t be sorry you did.

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Photo Credit prinsipe boobooy