On the first day of a 5-consecutive day writing workshop, I learned to view writing as a process, not a product. To get started, we did free writing, which is a form of pre-writing to warm up. On a blank sheet of paper, we simply start writing and keep writing until a certain preset time limit is met. Today we were given 30 minutes and an optional prompt — to start with the words “This morning.”
After a few minutes, I forgot what was occupying my mind. I got into the flow of writing. When the teacher called out the remaining minutes — 10, and then —- 5, I noticed that I was reluctant to stop. I had gotten into the momentum of writing.
In another exercise, we were each given a small white styrofoam plate with 3 different colored sticks of clay. When asked to create something out of the clay, I immediately set out to use the 3 pieces intact in as little time as possible to create the following object, minus the green arrow.
Clay object from a writing workshop
As I revelled in my work, I found myself becoming very attached to it. When the teacher asked us to remove something, I had trouble “harming” the figure. In contrast, the lady next to me, didn’t care. She did not agonize over what to get rid of. She was detached.
The more I looked at my object, the more I fell in love with it, and the less I was able to change it. We were then asked to walk around the room and comment on other people’s work. Only then did I realize that my object was not the most unique or most artistic. This process humbled me.
Moral of the story?
You need to get out of yourself and your situation to see what else is out there. Creating and writing are forms of self-expression. It’s just as important to see other possibilities as being able to express your own.
That sounds like an interesting workshop. The ‘armchair’ psychologist in me wonders if you think that there is significance that your original shape resembles a love heart? 🙂
That workshop leader knows a thing or two – and now you do as well. Great post, useful insights. Thanks!
Thanks for your comments!
Orange and purple are my favourite colors. My first piece was just the heart standing on yellow. I marvelled at it until told to add something. The only thing I could think of was to add the green arrow.
But when we were told to remove something, I really struggled. I removed the end of the arrow — just a tiny bit and shaped it into a ring.
When told to change something (that was the final instruction), I let out a sigh of relief and hanged that little ring to the end.
During the “Gallery View” when we walked around the room and commented on other people’s work starting with the words “I really like how you ….” that’s when I learned that others were more creative in doing more with the clay sticks.
I had not bothered to flatten them, mould them into other shapes, etc. I had never thought of exploring the possibilities because that would take more time. I was so interested in getting a product fast that I limited myself.
Now I’m thinking — how can I translate this exercise into music, for my piano students?