Writing about writing

Trying to engage in some adult education, I attended a writing lesson titled “finding your muse.” I have been searching for my muse for decades and have pretty much given up, but I thought I would give it one more try.

I had hoped an experienced writer would explain her process and I would take careful notes, but no. She handed out pads of paper and pens and did that freshman comp thing where they tell you there is a writer in everyone struggling to be set free. I did not have the urge to be set free, but I was sitting towards the front and decided I was there for the duration. 

Her two prompts “I remember when” and “something about your street” did result in my being able to put words on paper for the 10 minutes provided. 

One thing I learned was that my cursive skills have seriously deteriorated. It was hard to decipher when it was time to share with others. I bet I haven’t written a dozen sentences using a pen at one time in a decade or more. I do need my keyboard. 

Since I don’t teach writing, I have never thought about what makes a good writing prompt. I started to consider this issue. First, it seems that the prompt should allow for writing without stressing your content knowledge. The focus should be on encouraging expression rather than function as a test of what you know. Perhaps, the openness of the question even serves to determine whether you can quickly assign yourself an appropriate topic. Second, I think the prompt should emphasize the type of writing the author should strive to produce. Should what is produced be funny, conjure feelings or imagery, or share information. I decided the goal of our prompts were a request for words arranged in a proper order. Perhaps it was a kind of “see if you can put words on paper” goal.

So, what did I write about? For the recollection question, I described my first foray into research that involved feeding the chickens I cared for different diets and keeping track of the number of eggs produced. For the recollection about a familiar street, I described the experience of watching the water slowing move up our street as the Red River of the North flooded Grand Forks, ND.  Why these choices? I have no idea, but I was under time pressure, these topics popped into my consciousness, and they seemed good enough. Maybe it was my muse. 

There will be more writing sessions. The leader and her husband who teaches bridge (beginner and intermediate) are here for the duration. I think I am done with writing sessions. Maybe I should try the free bridge lessons.