From Goldfish Boy to The Boy in the Tower to Rear Window, some of the best stories and films have been from the perspective of looking through a window. And all great diaries are windows into extraordinary events and into the lives of the writer, their own special viewpoint. So where better to begin your diary than by looking out of the window?
Sometimes it can be difficult to write about your own thoughts and feelings, especially if you are feeling anxious. This Window exercise is great for getting into diary writing because you write from the ‘outside in’. In other words, you focus on what’s outside of you and your powers of observation first. And if any thoughts and feelings start creeping in, that’s all good! 1. Sit in front of a window. Open it a little if you like. Make sure that you are comfortable and have something to write with. 2. First, clear your head of all of those jostling thoughts. Sitting cross-legged is good for this, or on a chair. Close your eyes and breathe in for 4. Now hold that breath for 4. Then breathe out for 4. Repeat this five times. You should feel calmer, and feel your breathing becoming nice and deep. 3. Write down 5 sounds that you can hear, inside or out. Then list the things that you associate with those sounds, for example, the distant TV could remind you of visiting your nan as a child. 4. You are going to describe what you can see out of the window. Let your eyes wander. What do they settle on? Spend 10 minutes writing what you see. You might do a character sketch of a person, or describe that building in detail. 5. Now go back and make sure that you have been specific. Instead of ‘estate agent’s board’, write Philip, Laney & Jolly; instead of ‘motor-home’, Fiat Sundance. Use the exact names for birds, shrubs, trees, colours, cars, shops. If you don’t know them, look them up. Writers need lists of words like artists need colours. If you enjoyed this, you might like the #inkwellwriters #competition ‘Through the Window.’ Win a goodie bag of books plus some writers’ treats by checking out Inkwell Writers. There's an awesome chance to take part in Kathryn Evans' shared Corona diary here, where there are plenty of fab tips and prompts from lots of authors to get you started. And, if you're interested in ways of keeping the stress levels down, try these brilliant, calming yoga classes by Adriene. There are ones for creativity, specially aimed at writers! Here is a YouTube link to my window diary video Happy writing! #inkwellwriters #coronadiary #yogabyadriene #window #writingprompts #writein #scbwi
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