Writing: Lost and Found

As an actress I studied at Second City, 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!

Ode to the Cigarette

The following is a journal submission made by to in my Freshman year of college English 101 class. At the time I was attending an acting conservatory…

To me, a cigarette is the worlds best companion. A cigarette never does you wrong. It always listens and understands. It never has a problem when you smoke other brands of cigarettes. It completely understands the “open relationship” arrangement. It never gets mean or jealous, and when you come back to it, it will still taste just as good. Unlike other types of relationships, where when you come back, the other person is cold and harsh, a cigarette always listens to everything I need to say and never tells me that it’s not interested or doesn’t care. I believe that everyone should have such a companion. Nothing else will keep you warm on cold night or accompany you when you are having a bad day. It will never leave you alone and when you are done with it, there is another one just like it waiting for you to do with it what you please.