GUIDELINES for Wild Mind Writing

Writing:

• Try to write every day. Set aside time each day to honor your creative voice.


• This is serious writing, but... you do not have to be serious in your writing--have fun, relax, enjoy, let loose.
• We are all beginners. All of us come to the blank page. You do not have to be a "professional" writer, hold any special degrees or know a secret handshake to be a Wild Mind writer. The only thing you need is the passion to write.
• Writings should be for a timed amount. Try writing for 3-5 minutes and timing with a kitchen timer. Go to the end, don't stop early. When the buzzer sounds, take approximately 30 seconds to "wrap up" the thought. Then, just like school, put your pen/pencil down.
• Keep your hand moving. Once you begin, go for it. Don't stop mid-stream. If you lose the thought and something jumps into your head, jump there and continue writing.
• Lose control. As Natalie Goldberg says in her Wild Mind book, "Say what you want to say. Don't worry if it's correct, polite, appropriate. Just let it rip." Don't edit your work before you have a chance to get it onto the page.
• Be specific. Describe a plumeria, not just a flower. And don't chastise yourself as you write, just note general areas for improvement--but do that later!
• Don't think. One of my favorite guidelines! Write the raw stuff, the fresh stuff, the stuff you think about in a flash of inspiration. Write it down, but don't over-think anything. The edit-brain shouldn't come to a Wild Mind party.
• Don't worry about punctuation, spelling, or grammar. You can edit later.
• You are free to write the worst junk ever. Ah, isn't that a relief?
• Go for the jugular. Don't hold back. Say what you really want to say. Explore new areas, challenge yourself. Let me repeat: Don't hold back.

Reading (if you practice with a group):

• Everyone should have an opportunity to read. Please be mindful of your time and respectful of others.
• It's okay to pass. If you don't want to read or participate in the writing, it's okay. Really.
• Do not qualify or apologize for your writing before or after you read. Just go for it!
Practice active listening if you are not reading. Be present for the reader.
• Do not edit your work or write more while others are reading.
• Do not comment, offer suggestions/edits or criticism after a reading. Say, "Thank you" and move to the next reader. Wild Mind writing is not critique writing. That's something different.
• Keep the heat! Chit chat interferes with the Wild Mind process. Writing time is a gift, so give yourself the gift of undivided Wild Mind time.