Six Weeks of Favorite Writing Prompts: Week #3, Life Values and Your Writing Life
Photo by Sean Stratton on Unsplash
Long ago I read a book by teacher and writer Carol Bly called The Passionate, Accurate Story. Like one of the reviewers, at the time I wondered if it was the only writing craft book I’d ever need. Bly exhorts the writer to understand and reveal their heart’s truth in their writing, not an easy task for some of us, but essential for longevity of the creative life.
This week’s prompt comes from Bly’s suggestion to consider our most important life values. I expanded this prompt when a coach once asked me to choose ten to twelve qualities that meant the most to me. It took me weeks to think about this—she’d given me a list from Brene Brown, to inspire.
The work was still hard; it required honest introspection, something I wasn’t that good at, at the time.
But as my writing life developed, I often came back to that list. Reviewing what I’d chosen. Then asking if my writing life reflected or aligned with those values.
At major turning points, such as publication or a new career opportunity as a writing teacher, if I was aware enough, I’d review again and make my big decision based on what I learned. Once, I declined an offer that was great for the money but poverty for the soul, clearly not in sync with my values. I silently thanked Bly and my coach for the long-ago lesson.
For me, writer’s block can come from not aligning my book writing with what I hold dear in my life. Writing about something superficial, for instance, when I am in deep pain feels very incongruous. When I realign, I write better.
So try the prompt if you’re feeling like exploring your inner creative life this week. It might surprise you—in a good way.
Your weekly writing exercise
Using this list of core values from Brene Brown, contemplate on the ten or twelve qualities that mean the most to you. Then consider your writing—are the values at all aligned?
These questions helped me, so use them if you wish:
What counts the most to you, in your life right now? What’s something you’d stand up for, fight for, never compromise?
Consider your creative life, at this moment. Are these values represented in your writing? Are they demonstrated in your writing—for instance, do the characters struggle with or strive after these qualities?
Spend time over the week, visiting the list every now and then, making your own compilation of values from it or other ideas you have. What do you come up with? Where is your writing/creative life aligned and where have you compromised?
Photo by Sean Stratton on Unsplash