Writing As a Stress Release

Debbie Eisenberg Merion, M.S.Wessaycoaching.comdebbiemerion.com

Reading List

• Annie Lamott-Bird by Bird• Julia Cameron-The Right to Write, The Artist’s

Way• Natalie Goldberg-Writing Down the Bones,

Thunder and Lighting

Writing Down The Bones

Two Techniques

• Writing Lists• Writing Practice

Writing Lists

• Three good moments from yesterday• Three things I’m frustrated about• Five ways I can reward myself

Natalie Goldberg’s Rules of Writing Practice

Decide how long you'll write (e.g. 5 or 10 minutes)Set a timerSelect a writing promptDon't cross outDon't worry about spelling, punctuation, grammarLose control, don't think, don't get logicalGo for the jugular, anything that is scary or

exciting probably has lots of energyFeel free to write the worst junk in America

General Writing Prompts

• I remember/I don’t remember• I want to/I don’t want to• I’m thinking of/I’m not thinking of

I remember…

• --a man, (a woman, a child, a teacher)• --red (blue)• --a scratchy (or wet) feeling• --third (or sixth) grade

More Specific Writing Prompts

• Give me your morning, breakfast, waking up, walking to the bus stop. Be specific.

• Tell about the quality of light coming in the window.

• Write about swimming, the stars, the most frightened you’ve ever been, the closest you ever felt to God or nature

After Writing

• “How did that feel?”• “Were there any phrases/sentences that really

resonate with you?”• “Would you like to read out loud?”• “Thank you”

Why Write?

• “We should write because writing brings clarity and passion to the act of living. Writing is sensual, experiential, grounding. We should write because writing is good for the soul.”

–Julia Cameron

Debbie Eisenberg Merion734-646-5985

debbiemerion@gmail.comdebbiemerion.com