Shut up and write!

Instructions: Close your eyes choose a number between 1 and 60. Stick to whichever one you pick from the list below, even if you really can’t stand it. Set a time, 5, 20, 50 minutes or for however long you want and then write continuously. The only rule - keep your hand moving, don’t stop. Keep going, no right, no wrong. No crossing out. Let writing do writing. Be honest and let rip. Allow the creator, not the editor. If you find yourself really stuck or just complaining, write - “what I really want to say is..” and then keep going. Just keep going.

“If you feel bored or uncomfortable as you’re writing, ask yourself what’s bothering you and write about that. Sometimes your creative energy is like water in a kinked hose, and before thoughts can flow on the topic at hand, you have to straighten the hose by attending to whatever is preoccupying you.” Natalie Goldberg
 

 

1. What I’m seeing / not seeing is

2. What I’m hearing / not hearing is

3. What I remember / don’t remember is

4. What I’m thinking / not thinking about is

5. What I want / don’t want is

6. What I’m feeling / not feeling is

7. Describe what happened this morning

8. What’s right in front of you

9. What’s missing?

10. Describe a neighbour

11. Someone you see often by don’t know

12. What’s happening outside right now?

13. Describe the best/worst gift

14. What’s under your feet

15. What’s behind you?

16. What do you want to get rid of?

17. What do you really want/don’t want to write?

18. Describe a conversation you overheard

19. Described a childhood room

20. The worst night of your life

21. What’s broken?

22. A drawer you remember 

23. Something you found

24. What is next door to you?

25. Terrible service

26. Surprising and unexpected 

27. Memories of purple

28. What woke you up?

29. What are you sitting on?

30. Your first holiday

31. The first time

32. The last time

33. What did you purchase that you didn’t need

34. A favourite shop

35. Someone you knew

36. Early morning or late nights

37. The dinner table

38. Take you shoes off

39. When you were 16

40. Second hand or brand new?

41. The place to sit.

42. An awkward event

43. First job

44. A timetable 

45. What you can’t not do

46. What is in the fridge?

48. What is working perfectly right now?

49. There is nothing worse

50. Coconuts 

51. What I don’t want you to know

52. Rain at night

52. Arriving

53. Walking at night

54. A memorable meal

55. A significant gathering

56. A foggy morning

57. A storm

58. A hidden space

59. What is under your sink

60. A time you fell

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