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1. 

   6/26/08

   ThriftShopRomantic

   I left you a comment already, Jamie and added it to the Reddit Writing subgroup because I thought the wording was very nice.

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   1. 

      6/26/08

      suburbqueen

      Thanks! I'm not sure why, but I found this difficult to write. Maybe it has something to do with being told what to write as opposed to writing what I want like I usually do?
   2. 

      6/26/08

      ThriftShopRomantic

      We had these kinds of exercises in our creative writing classes in college, and it'll be difficult, but later you'll see what helpful challenges they were.
      
      No, really. Really you will.
      
      Really.
   3. 

      6/26/08

      suburbqueen

      I'll take your word for it.
2. 

   6/26/08

   lotusb

   Huge issue for me a few years back! I find that when I surround myself with creative things I find myself again. No TV, visit a museum, jazz club, listen to classical music, read an old journal.. Reading a classic book, even one you've read before helps. My favorite to read when I'm blocked is Memiors of a Geisha because the writer of that book Arthur Golden, has the MOST descriptive writing style and I ALWAYS find my self grabbing for a pad and pen from the flood if inspiration when I even read one chapter. Good luck!!
   
   Check me out: www.lotusb.blogspot.com

   [reply]
3. 

   6/26/08

   lotusb

   Also you may want to avoid using "you" to your audience, it tends to be a bit objective.

   [reply]
   1. 

      6/26/08

      suburbqueen

      Good point...Thanks!
4. 

   6/26/08

   thefly

   When I creatively write I like to explore those feelings that Id rather not think about or subconsicously take advantage of the fact that they are there. The words and emotions that emerge from that exploration I then put into certain situations or "assignments".
   
   Your write has a lot of circular imagery and by that I mean that back and forth notion. You say one thing then you come right back and defeat it with another. Everything is counter-intuitive in your write and it makes for backward thinking. A show of individuality. It works.

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   1. 

      6/26/08

      suburbqueen

      I don't mind exploring the feelings and emotions, that seems to come naturally to me. I think my problem is when I'm told what to write, it automatically throws me into panic mode or something. Like I feel pressured. That's part of the reason I wanted to take this course.
5. 

   6/26/08

   thewriterspulse

   Well, for what it's worth, I thought your post there was great. I liked it a lot.
   
   Whenever I'm confronted by "writer's block," I usually just step away from it for a while, do something different and totally unrelated. It's easy to get burnt-out if you just wrack your brain for ideas without giving yourself a breather.

   [reply]
   1. 

      6/26/08

      suburbqueen

      Thanks! I've done that a time or two myself. I end up so frustrated, I just have to walk away.
6. 

   6/26/08

   CrotchetyOldMan

   I liked what you wrote. However, as previously pointed out, don't use "you" in a formal essay. It can be replaced with one, someone, they, and so on.

   [reply]
   1. 

      6/26/08

      suburbqueen

      Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to read what I wrote.
7. 

   6/26/08

   markstoneman

   I haven't done any fiction since high school, but maybe some advice I concocted for my history students is relevant. Here's the link: language4you.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/writing-strategies/ Now I'm off to your post.

   [reply]
   1. 

      6/26/08

      suburbqueen

      I have done step 1 before. I just sit at my computer and type randomly. Usually within ten minutes, thoughts start making sense and ideas form. Thanks for the link!
   2. 

      6/26/08

      markstoneman

      By the way, do you know this BC group? www.blogcatalog.com/group/writers-and-writing
   3. 

      6/26/08

      suburbqueen

      I haven't been participating in the groups much, but I will check it out. Thanks again, Mark.
8. 

   6/26/08

   jackpayne

   Jamie, I left you a comment. By all means, read it.

   [reply]
   1. 

      6/26/08

      suburbqueen

      Jack, I read it and by all means I am blushing. Thank you so much for your encouragement, it means a lot to me.