Day 8: What Do You Know and How do You Know it? #OctPoWriMo

“I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.” ― Joan Didion

As writers we explore our world through our words, whether it is poetry, memoir, or a novel. The above quote really says it for me, I don't know what I'm thinking unless I write it down, but for me it is more about feeling. In fact, when I went to look for this quote I couldn't find it because I was sure it was, "I don't know what I'm feeling unless I write it down." and it took quite a while, and playing with the phrasing, before I found Joan's quotes. She actually says, "I don't know what I think until I write it down."

Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures

I have a client that was experimenting with poetry. She asked me why I write poetry. Basically she wanted to know what it was all for, writing, where does it lead? After every answer I gave her she said, "And then?" It wasn't until I said that I wouldn't know how I felt unless I wrote it down, she finally stopped.

When I think of this prompt, How could I know, I think of writing and where it leads me. How could I know anything unless I wrote about it? But I'm a writer. It makes me wonder how people who aren't writers, how they figure things out. Is it all in their minds, talking it out with a friend or colleague?

Poetry Prompts:

Free write for ten minutes asking yourself, How could I know... When you are finished, see if you can find a thread to pull into a poem.

Word Prompts:

discover

diving deep

exploration

adventure

uncover

Possible poetry form: I have a special affinity for this poetry type, Joseph's Star, I created one of my favorite poems - Grandpa Joe - with it. I'm feeling rather nostalgic today and remembering my grandfather a lot lately. I'd like to dedicate this prompt to him. 

Photo Prompt:

Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures

Alternative Prompt:

Another thing I do when I'm trying to figure things out, I pull a card from either one of my tarot or oracle decks. If you have tarot and/or oracle cards, pull a card and write the first thing that pops in your head as you look at the card. If you don't have any tarot or oracle cards and would like to try this, they have free tarot and oracle apps you can play with. My two favorites, Ask Angels Oracle cards app and the Sacred Rebels Oracle app. (although the second one isn't free but it's only $6.99 to $7.99). 

Remember, our prompts are only suggestions, you can find your inspiration wherever your muse leads you. Please visit the other participants, share the hashtag, #OctPoWriMo, on social media, and share your link in the comments below. Let us know how this journey into poetry is going for you.

 

Morgan Dragonwillow, author of Wild Woman Waking & Dancing within Shadow, is a Bodywork transformer, dancing poet, motivator of words, magical instigator and creatrix of #OctPoWriMo & #PoetsonthePage. If you are interested in collaborating with your soul to get your words on the page, check out my website, Wild Woman Mysteries.

Yes, she is on Google+ too!

Make sure you sign up to receive our updates, tips and prompts to share in all the poetry fun!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner