Teacher Lesley

I hope this post finds you wintering and cozy. This past weekend there was an ice storm, and the clean up has been rough. We’re headed into our third snow day. I know it’s privilege to be able to enjoy this extra time at home, and not feel stressed about heat or work or childcare. A bonus gift has been enough space to think creatively. At this time of year, that is rare. Usually I feel like a sleeping tree conserving my energy for warmer weather and a school break.

Because I wrapped up a few big projects in the fall, my “output” days are not very ambitious. I am not in the mood for classes and formal workshops. During such lulls, I mostly jot fragmented ideas in a beautiful notebook (like these featuring the work of Amy Sherald). Maybe in the spring or summer, I’ll go back through the notebook and see what still resonates. If you are looking for easy inspiration, here are a few resources:

Rattle Magazine has sets of monthly poety prompts.

Natalie Goldberg has a deck of Writing Down the Bones lesson cards.

Art Institute Chicago has paired some of their works with creative writing suggestions.

Listening to an episode of Poetry Unbound with Pádraig Ó Tuama nearly always sparks an idea.

But perhaps you truly aren’t in the mood to produce anything. I think of those as potential “input” days. Even when the branches of trees are bare, their roots are still pulling water and nutrients from the ground. What might staying creatively hydrated look like for us?

Maybe I listen to a podcast on a research topic. Maybe I watch a newly released movie and note its story structure. Maybe I walk around a museum or see a play. Maybe I play spy in a hotel lobby and write down overheard conversations. It’s not that we always have to be productive and “working”, but there are lots of ways to be gently in the world and still nurture our creative soil. Winter is for rest, AND dormancy doesn’t mean dead.

What’s feeding you these days? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. And if you think of someone who might like this newsletter, feel free to share it.

NEWS AND REVIEWS

Next school year, I will publish two books for young people about Reverend James M. Lawson Jr. This month, his own posthumous memoir NONVIOLENT will be released. He lived an amazing life and used his time on earth to inspire so many people. I recommend it wholeheartedly.