I’ve mentioned in a couple recent posts that I’ve been taking a five week writing workshop. I can’t tell you how helpful it’s been, both to gain clarity around a writing process and to get myself started on a “work in progress!”
We’ve had a few different homework assignments, and this week, our assignment was to pick several different times of day throughout the week and treat those times as if they were serious writing appointments — no excuses, no missing the meeting, no prioritizing anything else. One of my preset times was yesterday in the early evening, when I still had one other item on my to do list: writing a blog post. And now, I’ll cop to it… I might’ve cheated on the homework by using my writing appointment as a time to write something I could post here. Hey, two birds, one stone, right?
So in the spirit of visually interesting blog posts and also flexing spur-of-the-moment creative writing muscles, I devised a little assignment for myself. You know how in Instagram you can save images to various collections? Occasionally, I’ll go through my collections and marvel at how much I like the mix of photos that all end up next to one another. A while back, I had this idea to take screenshots of my favorite sequences and then write short poems for you here, inspired by the imagery. Today’s the day we try it. I didn’t end up writing poems, but instead, little snippets that were inspired by the photo groupings — usually the first things that came to mind when I saw the images together. They’re totally random and don’t have anything to do with the work I’m developing (at least, I don’t think they do, but who knows where the wind will blow that story). I thought you might enjoy! We’re kicking it old school blog style today and sharing just to share because I liked creating all this. Fair warning that you might find the style of writing totally different than my normal blog voice; either way, I hope you like this random little post I came up with! Promise not to tell of your aiding and abetting my cheating ;)
She wanted movement and she wanted spring — the velvet of its mornings, the verdant richness of its possibilities. Her voyage would be like the pink flowers blossoming outside her window: each day a small petal, nearly meaningless on its own, but sewn together, a lush and mysterious miracle.
Give me something stark and majestic and naked;
give me something to wonder about.
Always could I imagine falling in love with you by the sea. Just like the waves — again, again! — and the birds would serve as witnesses to our untamed devotion.
Paris itself was the perfect croissant: multi-layered, crackling, richly satisfying. In paris, one did not walk or stroll, but wind — down staircases, into alleys, across shaded, uneven squares. She longed for that clear yellow light on display each evening, which turned the gold-accented buildings into something molten. The city was well-versed in alchemy indeed, a true sorceress whose spellwork was masterful.
//
Back to blog reality…
Welp, this was fun, if not a little daunting to share. If you enjoy writing — actually, even if you don’t! — Instagram collections are chock full of inspiration. If you let it inspire a creative project for yourself, come back here and tell me about it! Happy Wednesday, friends.
Love this!
This was such a lovely post… the words, the imagery – so inspiring.
Love this post!
I kept looking to see who’d written these famous quotes lol– so cool!
Your writing is beautiful, as are the images inspiring you! I love to use collections in Instagram.
I LOVED THIS!!!!
This was so beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing! And, how I love the word Verdant.
Eek…me too! Why say “green” when you can say “verdant”?
Love this! The images and your words are gorgeous.
I loved this!
This is gorgeous, keep doing it!
This is wonderful! Inspiring writing and a really great idea to get the juices (and the practice) going.
Hi Victoria, would you mind sharing more info about the writing workshop you are doing? I love this homework assignment you had. I also live in SF and am looking for a general creative writing program – something casual but structured, so I can dip my toe in and see how I like writing with some formal guidance! There seem to be a lot of options here but I’m having trouble pinpointing one that isn’t super intense (e.g., all about getting published). Thanks!!!
Hi Jen! Sure thing. I took Lindsey Crittenden’s Work in Progress Workshop at The Grotto. Last night was the last class and I cannot recommend that course enough! It probably won’t be taught again in spring, but maybe summer? I’m taking a one day seminar at The Grotto this weekend too (about book proposals). A few of the people in my class had taken classes there before, and everyone said that while one day writing seminars are great there, they felt like they got so much out of a multi-week workshop. So I’d recommend looking for one of those if you can! I highly recommend The Grotto. I found my class to be extremely supportive, and we’re already trying to form a writer’s group post-class to continue meeting monthly! https://www.sfgrotto.org/
Oh, and as a quick heads up, the “Upcoming Classes” section only features courses from their Winter session. Lindsey said Spring classes would be posted in the next few weeks!
Thank you SO MUCH Victoria! The extra perspective on one-day vs multi-week classes is super helpful. Off to browse now… and absolutely love that you guys are planning to meet beyond the class. Have a great weekend!