Ever have an idea where you think at the time you are a genius? If you’re manic, this happens on a regular basis. Then you put the idea into action and realize you’re an idiot, not a genius and still you proceed anyway. That’s exactly how I feel this morning with my first cup of coffee. I can barely see the screen, much less a key board and yet, I decided to do The Morning Pages. It’s total insanity.
What are The Morning Pages? If you’ve never heard of The Morning Pages, it’s a process invented by Julia Cameron, author of many books including The Artist's Way.
In Cameron's workbook, you are to perform a daily ritual called The Morning Pages. The Morning Pages are three pages of writing, performed daily, about anything at all. Cameron claims this exercise overcomes the writer's internal censor and makes writing habitual. Having been through her twelve-week program, I can testify it helped me tremendously - the whole experience did.
Like with most things, I tweak the rules to fit my needs. In this case, there won't be three pages of hand-written script. That’ll be great since there won't be three pages either. So what will go here? I'm not really sure, but I can tell you what I am aiming for. I'd like this to be is a therapeutic process in which I am allowed to cultivate insight into my feelings and daily thoughts.
Since this event is really for me, please don't feel a need to comment. Of course, if the mood strikes you, don't hold back either. The Morning Pages are designed to be a private ritual, but I decided to adjust that as well. My reason for doing this on a public forum is I begin the day with blogging. The Morning Pages reminds me of novel writing. So what better way to remind myself to keep focused than to do this each morning on the blog.
If that doesn’t make sense, what do you expect on a couple of sips of coffee? Unlike many of the blog’s post, this will be a live event. Meaning, I just wrote this post a few minutes ago.
The Morning Pages + Live with J. Kaye = Ugh.
18 comments:
I'm pretty impressed that you're willing to do this in such a public space.
You're inspiring me to start morning pages again.
The best thing about them for me is that it clears my mind of some of the 'chatter' and makes way for more cogent creative processes. Does that make sense?
Awesome!!
Now I really like this idea :)
This will bring me back to everyday blogging :-) which I used to do before!!
:)
lemme think... i wil let u knw if i do!! between i m bookmarking this site!
Sometimes I'll have dreams (especially when i was in school, doing all sorts of art projects) I would dream/think up the coolest project and then wake up and go, well that makes no sense! But it was like the coolest thing ever in my dream!
Looking forward to what you do with the Morning Pages.
Sounds awesome, looking forward to these.
Lol. Not my cup of tea... or coffee. Well, have fun with it!
This is awesome and is just what I was looking for to help out a friend. She is a writer who has become very sad/depressed since misplacing much of her creative thoughts, coming into her thirties she lost her adolescent silliness that really helped her with writing. I think something like this would be perfect to help her at least get the pen to paper (which is all she wants right now).
As for me, my words always get scrambled between my mind and the page, I know I will never write anything mind-blowing. But I love to cheerlead the ones who will!
Rah Rah J.Kaye :)
Yay J. !!
Bravo! I applaud your courage and tenacity.
I've done 'morning pages' for about three years now and they've helped me massively with many different aspects of my day-to-day life.
I personally wouldn't do them publicly - because you're right they are kind of private, but I admire your courage!
Warmest
Robert
Very cool, J. Kaye. I'm sending good thoughts your way as you begin this new endeavor. :)
I think it's a great idea J.Kaye. I look forward to reading your morning pages. And "The Artist's Way" is a great book- not just for writers but for anyone to get in touch with personal feeling and goals. I love the book (and Cameron's other book "Vein of Gold")
good for you j.kaye, enjoy your morning pages ritual :)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Holy Cow! Thanks for the show of support. You all have really toughed my heart.
Shana @ Literarily ~ Makes lots of sense. When I first began, I was shocked by how much garbage I had to remove in order to get to the chewy center.
Veens ~ You say that now...wait a couple of weeks, you'll grow sick on me...lol!
Alea ~ Just as long as you keep your expectations low. Remember, this is live and I haven't even had a cup of coffee yet.
photoquest ~ It could get ugly. You know that, right?
Ladytink_534 ~ Fun? No, I don't see fun and the morning pages going together.
Book Zombie (Joanne) ~ Yes, THE ARTIST WAY is perfect for that.
Bluestocking ~ Thank you! :)
LOL @ Karen Harrington! What you are calling courage and tenacity, I call insanity.
Robert Burdock ~ Yes, the morning pages are meant to be a private journaling technique. I have my reasons for doing this in public. Even if I didn't, viewers have come to understand that when it comes to me, there is no subject I hold off limits.
Joy ~ It will be different. That's for sure...lol!
Icedream ~ Sorry, didn't mean to imply that it was. But the book is intended for arts...at least that's what I remember.
LOL @ Naida. No, I don't think this will be a joyful experience either.
That's what'll make it interesting don't cha think? If i put my thoughts on paper every morning especially during my peak of PMS they'd haul me out in a straight jacket to the nearest rubber room lol! Gosh this could be really good for you and us!
Oh, J.Kaye, you didn't imply it. I was just saying it's a great book and I was adding my plug for anyone to read it! LOL I'm not a writer but it was recommended to the class by one of my social work professors in college.
This is a great idea. Several of my teachers recommend this for students having trouble writing papers. It does help clear your brain and focus on writing. The technique they recommend is to just write and write and write. No going back to edit or worry about grammar or anything. Just write anything for 15 minutes daily. I tried but unfortunately I'm no good at doing anything consistently. Good luck to you.
photoquest ~ I've been waiting for years for them to pick me up...lol!
Icedream ~ I had no idea that it's spread to other areas like that. The author really should update the material, but that's just my opinion.
Bree ~ You can tell that consistency is a major issue for me.
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