Exposure—now there’s a threatening word. Are you up for an armchair adventure?
Let’s play “Exposure: Risk and Gift,” a creativity game I dreamed up, well, just because.
Exposure: Risk beginning, step 1
- Using paper (or your device), write I’m afraid 25 times down the left-hand margin
- Finish each phrase with whatever comes to mind, without lifting pen from paper (or fingers from keys)
- Circle any “I’m afraid” statements that alarmed or surprised or annoyed you
Exposure: Risk writing, step 2
If you read my recent post on the Camperdown Elm, here is the same tree, seen later in the day and from another angle. Trick-or-treat, anyone?
Using one of the statements you circled, write a letter, or a list, a poem, or a song, or even a partial scene using one of these phrases below (or one of your own) as a kickstart:
- They planted me deep, downhill from the Ferris place, never suspecting . . .
- Sleepwalking inside somebody’s nightmare . . .
- I never meant to . . .
Or you could write from the viewpoint of someone discovering the cure for Dutch Elm Disease . . .
Play with possibilities, no matter how crazy, and see what happens. Sometimes free writing unearths an emotion that’s “under the radar,” eating at your inner peace.
Exposure: Offer a gift, step 3
The Camperdown Elm in November dusk (first two photos) looks pretty creepy.
The Camperdown Elm below was taken in April, in afternoon light.
Margaret Atwood once said: So much depends on the light, and the way you squint.
Now take what you’ve risked writing so far and “gift it” with one or two of the following:
- A favorite time of day, or weather
- A new character
- A quote or proverb you love
Follow wherever the words want to take you. Stop when you feel done.
Read back what you’ve written. Has the overall mood and/or meaning changed?
Have your thoughts about the underlying fear you identified changed?
Exposure: Optional
Consider emailing me what you created. I’d love to read it!
Was this experiment interesting or enlightening?
Would you enjoy a similar creative prompt from time time?
p.s. To see a stunning full view of the Filoli Camperdown Elm tree in bloom as well as the fabulous winged seedpods in close-up, click here. (scroll to image #5)
I’ve arrived a bit late to this game, but do want to play! This exercise offers strong potential to dig deep into our sub consciences. However, a number of responsibilities will vie for my attention next week, so it may have to wait till mid-April. I’m quite sure you won’t mind! And if the results are worth sharing, I’ll certainly send them along. Thank you, Laurie, for your creative inspiration!
Nancy, thanks for your enthusiasm! May God’s peace and the good gifts of Spring keep you well amid duties this coming week.
Laurie,
Thank you for sharing your creativity in this exercise. When I did it, I found a new “character” — the writer. This is a part of myself I’m trying to explore. I find games like this to be very helpful as I work through my reflections on grief and growth. With your permission, I’d like to refer back to this post from my blog, simplesustainablesteps.blogspot.com in a future post.
Oh Lou, I have goosebumps. What a beautiful, potentially life-enhancing revelation! So glad you told me.
May this writerly gifting in you re-surface, again and again, and thrive.
I would be honored to have you link back to this post. Thank you!
wow….so creative Laurie. I’ll have to take some time to delve into this. Perspective makes all the difference, eh?
If you do, I’d love to see what you come up with, Jody, or even just hear how the prompt worked for you. Thanks for your enthusiasm.
And . . . See you soon!!
I printed your ideas to use with family and friends. Talk about exposure!! (pun intended!) Thank you, friend for your persistence in challenging us to live authentically and see sacrementally! What a gift to thousands you are!!
Judy, so glad this looks like a promising way to spend time with others. Or just yourself. 🙂 Let me know how it goes . . . Love you!