Who are you as a writer? Doing a Writer's Collage

I did this exercise in an Composition class I took.  I really enjoyed this process very much.  The first part of the unit was learning to freewriting exercises where you more or less sit down and type or write for a set amount of time.  You don't worry about order, grammar, syntax etc. you just spill whatever seemingly random thoughts come to mind. 

At first, this process seemed very disorganized to me and it was difficult to just go with it, but when I did I found it very liberating.  We even did a blind freewrite where you type for 10 - 15 minutes - but you have to turn your screen off! Now that was an experience! Out of the chaos however came a lot of thoughts and ideas and bits of inner wisdom.  Later on you can go back and sort through the "chaos" and you begin to find order in all the "madness".  I had ideas that poured out of me that will make for several strong future projects.

At the end of this unit was where we did a collage.  After several styles of freewriting the idea was that you would get a better idea of yourself as a writer.  What does writing mean to you? What kind of a writer are you? etc. The collage was a collection of pieces of writing and thoughts about the writing process that painted a picture of you - so that those who read it could understand you and what purpose your writing serves.  I enjoyed it and I decided to share my collage with you below.

I hope that some of you may be inspired to do your own.  You'll learn a lot about yourself in the process and hopefully gain confidence in yourself and your writing ability. 

*~*~*~* Then & Now *~*~*~*

I am someone who loves writing, but not rules.

From the time I was little, before I could even form words on the page, I would sit and “write” on lined paper and then “read” my stories to my grandparents. They loved me and they always smiled when I read them my stories. I felt their approval and it made me feel good. I knew then that I liked it when my writing made others smile. I was doing something good , something that mattered – I mattered.

Growing up, journals were a place to go to express myself and to vent. I grew up in a household that could be ugly – and writing was my way to safely “speak” without fear of retribution from an abusive father who reminded me daily that everything I actually said – every word that came out of my mouth, was “stupid”. Journaling was the doorway to my inner world - a place of beauty to escape to.

In times of darkness, we are continually reminded of the richness and wonder of

life. We better recognize all we take for granted, from the very basic needs of

survival, to the profound and intricate workings of our souls. This moment of

realization becomes the silver lining of the cloud. In painful times, we can loose

hope or we can choose to live in new ways.

Journals were (and still are) wonderful because they didn't talk back. They “listened” to every word I “said” and although a journal can't give you approval, it doesn't berate , demean, insult, or deflate you.

Writing was the way I sought peace when my grandparents were no longer there to rescue me. Once they passed away, my writing became my one true solace in life. It held my deepest sorrows and my greatest joys. It brought me to the place where I could “rescue” myself.

Consciously working with the power of the mind to create new

perspectives enriches life experience, inspires creativity, and boosts confidence.

When we respect and nourish the mind, our thought processes will nourish the

soul.

As I grew, I was determined to be and do all the things that I was told I could not. My writing helped me to heal, to forgive, and empower myself.

Dad used to say “Who gives a damn what you think anyway?” As it turns out – I did.

Freedom allows us to live our lives without self-imposed limitations. When we

refuse to release life-draining forces like anger or feeling victimized, we remain in

prisons of our own making. When we tell ourselves "I can't" or "I'm not", we

restrict our ability to grow and reach our fullest potential. When we act from a

need to please others, or when we do what seems more socially acceptable,

rather than following our own destiny, we destroy the freedom we have to be

who we are. There must be balance between "being practical" and being true to

ourselves. How can living a life that isn't fulfilling be practical?

As I grew my writing evolved.

I began to write on forums about writing, keeping journals, the power of words – and then was born “Daily Power Words” which I wrote regularly for years and published on line in a group. The passages you see throughout are taken directly from those writings.

I received a great deal of positive feedback from them. People who read them were encouraged to use their own writing as part of their own healing process and it felt good to be a part of something positive and uplifting. It made people smile – and it showed them that “they mattered”.

*~*~*~*

My writing saved me because it forced me to look at myself with complete honesty, to understand myself. Through writing I began to consciously make changes and pursue the healthier paths of forgiveness, empathy, and respect for self and others.

I had choices to make – and writing helped highlight those choices for me.

~~ When we approach journaling with an open mind and heart, and we commit to

being completely candid with ourselves, we open up to limitless opportunity for

growth and healing. ~~

Writing to me serves a higher purpose. When I use it for its higher purposes it causes me no anxiety or worry. It is what it is.

I am a creative personality with a very fluid, laid-back style – and anything rigid goes against my nature.

When I try to confine my writing and think of it in terms of “formalities” and “rules” and “grades” , my writing suffers.

I struggle to write for others – yet I love to write for others.

When what I write helps others I am passionate and driven enough to write all day, but I will procrastinate when it comes to writing for grades or trying to “stuff” writing into a confined structure.

Writing reflects the contradictory parts of our nature.

*~*~*~* Now & Then *~*~*~*

I am someone who loves writing, but not rules. That will never change – but I can still respect “the rules” enough to learn from them – even when I choose to break free.

I think a lot can be gained in learning to write in conventional ways. It encourages discipline and critical thinking. I don't believe in completely abandoning rules – but I also believe that some rules are meant to be broken.

~Growth means willingness to move in new directions, to take a leap of faith into the unknown and try something different. It is easy to get stuck in old patterns and routines

that keep us comfortable, but don't necessarily push us to reach our fullest

potential.~

~Progress reminds us that in order to continue to have a fruitful journey, we must

get out of our own way. Often we barricade our path with resistance created by

self-doubt, fear of consequences, and a refusal to try something different.~

The passage below illustrates one of my main philosophies in life – and it also corresponds nicely to the writing process as well.

~~Refining metals such as Gold requires continuous cycles of repeated pressure

and heat that filters away impurities and allows the metals to shine with clarity. In

our lives, it is often our "mistakes" and more difficult lessons that refine us. These

strenuous processes draw out our finest qualities, the strengths and wisdom that

make us shine.

Too often we focus on perceived impurities, rather than keeping our sight

focused on the goal of growth. When we focus on all that we see as "wrong" we

take energy away that can be devoted to building on our strengths. It is this

personal refinement process that allows us to reach our full potential. We can

learn and be built up by our mistakes and trials, or we can crumble under the

pressure. ~~

Today, my dad and I get along. I recognize that lifelong alcoholism made him “crumble under the pressure”, rather than reach his potential in life. In some strange way his poor choices gave me a great gift that I may not have fully recognized or developed otherwise. I focus on that now and it leads to good things!

My first piece of $ paid professional writing $ was a feature article on journaling that was published in a nationwide magazine for people and their families who are in recovery from alcohol and drugs. > This was last September.

*~*~*~* My Goals for the Future*~*~*~*

Acronyms are fun and they help me recall important concepts and ideas. Since childhood I have used them to simplify complex subjects so I could commit them to memory. I decided it would be useful to come up with an acronym to keep me focused on my current and future writing goals.

Redirect my energies into more professional writing

Energize my writing by trying new things

Feature my writing in more places

Invoke thought and passion with words

Never give up on myself as a writer

Enjoy writing often!