By Jennifer Blanchard
The best way to become a better writer is to write every single day, no exceptions. Many writers have a difficult time getting started, however, because they just can’t seem to find time or can’t seem to sit down long enough.
Do you have one minute a day you can dedicate to writing?
Then you should try out One Word. One Word is a daily writing exercise that gives you one word each day and you get 60 seconds to write. Not about the word itself, but about whatever reading and seeing the word inspires you to write.
When the 60 seconds is up, you can choose to type your name and e-mail address in the provided boxes and then save the post to the site, or you can click on “skip” and it deletes what you wrote.
What’s so cool and interesting is that the word evokes so many different thoughts from people.
For example, today’s word was “charge” and I spent my 60 seconds writing about charge cards because that is what popped in my head. When I went to the page where all the saved pieces were published, I was amazed to see the different things people came up with. [Ed. Note: These examples are listed exactly as they are written on the site.]
Here are some of my favorites:
“Electricity shooting between synapses, thoughts spiraling out of control, faster and faster they whirl around until you can’t help it anymore, you want to shout, you want to call out, you want to yell “I’m here, look at me, I need someone to hold me and just make me feel safe and loved!” You can’t hold it in – you have to say something, anything, or you’ll burst – you have to say SOMETHING…
‘Hi.'”
[from Esther]“Charge up your engines and turn the the key. The ignition may jump the first time but the second time you will have int under control. Your life always follows the same pattern, like cutout directions on a cereal box that never seem to change. Prepare, dive in, screw up, and finally, succeed.”
[from song kim]“Charge into things head first, don’t think about anything else. it’s a matter of spontaneity, it’s a matter of just jumping.
not unlike when you made me promise to look both ways when I cross the street, but really.. what’s the joy in running for a bus unless there is a chance that you will get run over?
this is why I promise things I don’t know, because it’s almost more amusing to see what happens rahter than try and plan it all out.
charge.
like the charge of the light brigade, it’s a matter of courage.”
[from jeff]
The idea isn’t to write perfectly, but to forget about editing (and your inner editor) and just write! Be sure you still read through you post when the 60 seconds is up and proofread it before publishing.
The best part is, you can use One Word to help you develop a habit of writing daily. As you write your 60 seconds a day, you’ll begin to get in a writing state-of-mind and will want to keep the momentum going.
A good way to take advantage of this writing momentum is to do a quick One Word warm-up before you start your daily writing session. It can help energize and inspire you to keep on writing.
Give One Word a try. Then come back and let us all know what you thought!
Ed. Note: I just want to say thanks to my pal Eric Ozanam for introducing me to this fun writing tool.
