Be present.

Winter Writing Assignment 2

Click through for Assignment 1, Assignment 3, Assignment 4, Assignment 5, and Assignment 6 

"I sit down, grind my ink, set my timer for an hour, and take my paintbrush and go. I try to stay behind the story, never leading it. I'm kind of like the world's slowest secretary. I also have a rule that I never ever think about the story unless I'm actually working on it. It seems like an unlikely way to work, but it's pretty efficient. When I teach it to people they are always really surprised at how it actually does work. One key thing is to limit the amount of time you have to work, and to work every day. I do work every day. I don't feel very good when I don't. I also make lots and lots of stories and pictures no one ever sees. That also seems to be a vital part of this mysterious work with images."
—Lynda Barry  

Give yourself only 10 minutes to write, but do it every day this week. Set your timer when you sit down with your notebook. Each day, write a list of ten details you noticed that day so far. Things you notice may include: The way the light looks on your bedroom wall in the morning. The smell of coffee. The sound of a car outside your window. You get the idea. Don't over-think these moments; remember, you only have ten minutes to write. Just get the details down. Don't try to think them up - let them come to you. When your timer rings, put your pen down, close your notebook, and continue the rest of your day. Repeat this exercise every day this week.  

Photo credit (top): Asman Rana on Unsplash.