Welcome to Spring!

Even though I am a skier and will go out in the snow any chance I get, it is always refreshing when the season changes. The longer days, the energizing sun, and the warm air are so invigorating.

Today, this fresh new season has inspired me to make a fresh new start...with my writing!

Did you know that all of the writing fellows are graduate students - and we're all in the midst of A LOT of writing. Just like you, writing is central to our academic lives. And just like you, we have our good days and our bad days...days when we are proud of what we have created and days when we want to throw our computers out the window!

When it feels like those bad days are piling up, that means it's time to get out of the writing funk. But, how can we do this?

Well, there are many tricks in the book, and today I am going to share one with you: Visualize yourself writing. That's right! Close your eyes and picture yourself in your favorite writing spot - at your computer, in your favorite chair with a notebook in your lap, lying under a tree with your papers on the ground - just pick the place where you are the most comfortable and the most happy writing. Now watch yourself work...the words are flowing smoothly, your shoulders are relaxed, there is even a confident little smile on your face...you're doing it! Keep this picture in your head for a few minutes...and come back to it every time you start to have negative thoughts about your writing. You'll be amazed at how your visualizations can turn into a reality.

We have the power to get out of our funks and to return to the writing we can feel proud of.

Join me in this fresh start as we make it through the second half of the semester. Let's work together to gain confidence in our writing.

Here's to Spring! Good Luck!

P.S. If you want more tips or more help with your work, you can always see the writing fellows during our office hours in S424.

P.P.S. A dear friend of mine who is a sports psychologist has taught me a lot about visualization. She trains her clients to visualize themselves being successful at their sports - and she has taught me to visualize myself being successful in school (getting through exams, presenting to groups, writing, etc.). It is amazing how much this technique has helped me - and I hope that it helps you! (Thanks so much, Tiff!)

I Write, I Speak: Open-Mic Event

Are you hungry?
Do you like getting free stuff?
Do you love listening to great pieces of writing?
Did you know that taking a writing intensive course is now a requirement here at BMCC?

For prizes, raffles, giveaways, delicious food, and to learn more about the Writing Across the Curriculum Progam, please join us on April 17 from 2pm-4pm in the Richard Harris Terrace at the

I Write, I speak

event, brought to you by your Writing Fellows!

Feel free to just come and relax, or join your fellow students at the mic!

Submission Information for open-mic participation:

1.Your favorite piece of writing
2.Three minute time limit (500 words or less)
3.First 30 people to submit will be selected
4.Submissions are needed by April 1, 2008
5.Submit to the BMCC Writing Fellows: thepowerofwriting@gmail.com
6.You will be notified via email if selected

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Having trouble getting started? FREEWRITE!

When I was in high school I had a fabulous English teacher. Every time my schedule allowed, I registered for her course. One morning she came into our classroom in her usual, disheveled way, dropping her books clumsily on her desk. She then instructed us to pick an object that we loved, and for 15 minutes, write whatever came to our mind.

I chose my favorite sweatshirt.

When I began, I couldn’t imagine what I was going to write about – 15 minutes seemed like forever! It’s grey, stained, says “Michigan”, but what else? Then my writing led to thoughts about my sister (who bought it for me), how I felt now that she had moved out of the house, how I had spoken to her the night before and that she suggested a book for me to read, and so on. When 15 minutes were done I was amazed at how much I had written. I thought it would be difficult getting past one descriptive sentence, but with the push of my teacher – and the clock - I realized how much I had to say!

Sometimes I use this freewriting technique when I need to start a paper, but don’t know what to write or which direction to take. I sit in front of my computer and force my fingers to type for 15 minutes about a topic without stopping – trying to stay a bit more focused than I did when I wrote about my sweatshirt. Usually I am surprised at how much I know – and in the cases where I truly don’t know a lot, I get a clearer idea of where I have questions!

Here are some tips for doing a freewrite:
Find a comfortable place to freewrite, with few (or no!) distractions
Set an alarm for 15 minutes (or 10, or even 5, if that’s where you want to start!)
Keep writing or typing for the entire time – if you draw a blank, write a sentence or a word over and over again until you pick up a new idea
Don’t worry about grammar or sentence structure – just go for it!
Be confident!