When I was acting, I studied at Second City, which is one of the most popular Chicago-based improv theatres…ever. One of the games we played there (yes, that’s what we did…play) was a game of word association, where we walked around the stage and spoke words one at a time as other words triggered something in our minds. Eventually, those words word remind someone of a story or an event and from there grew a performance.

Recently, I began working on greeting card writing. I have always had a knack for short wit, so I figured it would be a breeze. Its not. The cards you find at stores and think to yourself “I can d write this; I can’t believe someone gets paid for this drivel.” Believe me, it is MUCH harder than you think. I am usually the first to think that I am more talented then someone else, so naturally I thought this about greeting cards, but….DAMN. It’s been a week and a half and I have written ONE insert. ONE. In 10 days. 5 lines!

So, in an attempt to be dramatic, I diagnosed myself with “writers block” and decided to find a remedy. I searched for exercises, books, etc but in a situation like mine, the last thing I want to do is read someone’s superb writing on how to get mine to stop sucking. So, I was left with mindlessly staring at the television set hoping that something there would emotionally triggered some sort of creative reaction. Nothing. Then I remembered the advice I received about keeping a journal. “If you’re going to commit to it, you have to write in it every day. Even if you have nothing to say, just write anything.” “The house is made of brick.” “I am writing with my left hand.” “I’m elated they make Arizona Green Tea in juice boxes now.” Eventually, something you write will trigger another something, and you will begin to flow.
It was worth a try! Since I was to write poetry, meaningful emotional poetry, I decided I would do the opposite. I wrote rhymes. “I saw my cat digest a rat found in a vat in seconds flat” “Rats are grey, may live in hay, they like to play, beside the bay.” Water welcomes the sun, leaving little time for fun, Moon comes out and start its dun, showing us night has begun.” If you follow the progression of these three rhymes, the creativity increases proportionally with the number of time I branch out from previous rhymes.
Try This Exercise…. I wanna hear your results!