Proselytizing Writing
I’ve been talking incessantly about contemplative writing. Y’all know me. I tend to fall into things. Then I’ve got to share my new loves. But this time it’s not entirely my fault. People keep asking, what are you writing these days? I make some desultory remark about novels that are doing great in contests but can’t get a publisher for love or money. Then I’m off, proselytizing writing. “Mostly, what I’m loving these days is contemplative writing.”
I can’t stop there. I have to explain what I mean when I say contemplative writing, because the phrase means different things to different people. Often my description is not what listeners are expecting. Journalling, I think. That’s what most folks expect. But, “We use writing prompts to experience contemplative values,” not so much. Again, I keep going. “Like shifting our point of view, getting us out of our habitual way of looking at things, opening up to epiphanies.”
At this point, some of the furrowed brows smooth. Not others. So then I tell them our contemplative writing group Zooms every Sunday evening and invite them to join us. Sometimes I give the background for the group (“It began as a workshop at Dillard, but now it’s a writing group run by the members of the group…). Sometimes I segue to talking about my general love of writing in supportive groups. Or tell about our offering this summer at the Wild Goose Festival. Or invite them to our writing sessions at 100 Men Hall. Flinging left and right, hunting for that spark that will lead them to say, “Tell me more about that.”
I’ve had people say, “That sounds exactly like what I’ve been looking for.” Others nod politely—they were really asking about something they could read. I wish I had a better pitch. I’m open to suggestions. But, either way, I’m gonna keep at it, proselytizing writing.
Contemplative Writing, contemplative writing prompts, proselytizing writing, what is contemplative writing, Wild Goose Festival, Writing at Wild Goose
Donna
👏🏻❤️
Ellen Morris Prewitt
😊
Emma
Good morning Ellen. You are a great writing prophet! And of course, in a sense, all writing is contemplative writing. I write a lot in my head, while contemplating life. Mostly in the mornings. Like while watching bats dart around at dawn, wondering how they can know where their home is and what time to go back there. And the gentle breeze that moves with no beginning and no end. And birds. And hummers looking for my feeders that I have failed to put out for them. Life is zooming by, and I cannot stop it. I have more life to live and I know I have more life behind me than ahead of me. And I wonder what life will bring in the next ten years or so. Whatever falls into my life, I know my heart can expand to embrace it all. And I know I want more joy and humor in my life. More creativity. More love. More time. That’s is my contemplation this morning.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
❤️ Thank you for sharing that. You are a natural contemplative. Last night, we did an immram prompt, imagining a Celtic mythical sea journey. I think you would have enjoyed it.
Joanne Corey
I’m missing my usual writing groups these last months. Binghamton Poetry Project is being re-jiggered to the Binghamton Writing Project and has yet to meet in 2024. I haven’t been able to meet with the Grapevine Poets for workshopping because of my health challenges. It’s been difficult, although not as difficult as the brain fog which is making it difficult to write at all most of the time.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
I did not realize, Joanne, that much of what is happening in your life is personal health challenges and brain fog. I’m sad to hear that. I pray it begins to resolve and you can return to your lovely poetry.
Joanne Corey
Thanks, Ellen. It’s been frustrating, especially with the manuscript revisions. I’m hoping to start sending it out before the end of the month, although I am unsure of some of the changes I’ve made. I just can’t delay getting it back out indefinitely, so I’m going to trust that, if someone is interested, I’d be able to do more edits during the publication process.
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Before the end of the month is really soon! I hope it goes smoothly. And, yes–cleanups can be done during the publication process. I’m sending you the best of wishes.