Welcome to Week 27 of Sunday Spark!
Please enjoy listening to today’s audio.
If you feel called to get some ink on the page, be sure to read the below writing practice guidelines before you get your pen moving.
After you listen to today’s poem, notice which lines most speak to you. You could also choose a single word from the poem, or begin writing from an image/memory that the poem sparks.
This week’s suggested prompt is one simple word:
Waves
With so much love,
Julia xo
“Waves” by Alix Klingenberg
Music Credit: “City of Stars” : Justin Hurwitz & Emma Stone, from the movie “La La Land”
Waves by Alix Klingenberg (from her brand new book Quietly Wild)
I go in and out, don’t you? Into flow and gratitude, and out of it again. Into grief and hopelessness, and out of it again. Into routine—cooking, walks, connection— and then into bed, the bath, my head, my tears. These days call for the ability to sway, sway into reality, sway into empathy, and back again. Dip toes into fear, anxiety, awareness and rest in creativity, distraction, comfort. We go in and out, like tides creating our own slow rhythms, finding the pulse of survival.
After you read the below writing practice guidelines, grab your notebook and your favorite free-flowing, yummy pen, set a timer for 10 minutes (or whatever time feels best) and, beginning with the word/line that most resonates from this week’s poem, write write write!
NOTE: The intention is not to stick with whatever prompt you begin writing with, prompts are simply meant to spark your writing…once you begin, follow your pen wherever it wants/needs to go. Get those first words down (before the editor has a chance to sweep in and edit them out).
Writing Practice Guidelines
(As created, with some of my own tweaks, by one of my greatest teachers Natalie Goldberg)
First, give yourself permission to write the worst junk in the world (this is the most important one!). Writing practice is very much not about trying to be "good," it is about opening the door and allowing space for your insides to speak (without any pressure, agenda, or expectations). It is simply saying what is true, what is true, what is true.
Keep your hand moving. No stopping to edit (no crossing out, no re-reading, no attention to spelling/grammar). The reason for this fast writing is to outrun the editor who really wants to be in control. Give yourself full permission to lose control!
Go for the jugular. If there is energy there, dive straight into it.
If you get stuck (or find you are circling some important truth), write the words: WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY IS… or THE TRUTH IS…this can’t help but drop you more deeply into your writing.
Mostly importantly —Enjoy! Play. Have fun. Make a merry mess.
* Please feel free to share some of the "recalls" from your own writing. Recalls are simply phrases/lines that feel especially poignant/resonant/goosebumpy/true to you.
I loved the poem and decided not to write but listen today. The poem moved me to a different headspace where I accepted what was happening in the moment. Thank you Julia glad I found you. 🥰