Writing Casts a Curious Kind of Magic
Mar 26, 2025 2:27 pm
Good morning, ,
As a part of my writing practice, I complete a ten-minute freewriting exercise every morning. I grab myself a cup of tea, my notebook, and a pen, write a prompt at the top of the page, set a timer for ten minutes, and write as quickly as possible, without stopping, until the timer goes off.
Most days, the timer goes off, I close my notebook, and walk up to my office satisfied that I've completed my writing practice for the day. Occasionally, the timer will go off, and because the words are flowing, I keep writing.
But every once in a while, words appear on the page that didn't enter my consciousness until I read them on the page.
I love it when that happens.
Writing casts a curious kind of magic. It unearths insights I didn't know I had and makes connections I didn't know were there. It surprises me every time (and I've been doing this for more than 20 years).
Because of my experiences with freewriting, I often use this exercise with my clients. On Monday, my Writing Practice community came together to complete and share our responses to two prompted writing exercises. While the prompts were the same, our responses to those prompts were remarkably different. Sharing our perspectives with one another allowed us to think more expansively and further build upon our ideas. It also allowed us to connect to one another.
If writing casts a curious kind of magic, writing in community amplifies that magic.
I was reminded of that on Monday as we hung out on Zoom and shared our ideas and connected with one another. I was also reminded that connection begets more connection as two of our number, both of whom are writing parables, decided to pair up and become accountability partners.
And that mutual support? That's what this whole doing life thing is all about.
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"A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper."
~ E.B. White, as quoted in The Paris Review (1969)
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Join the Conversation
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Stories are tools. Like all tools, they can be used to help or harm. In this LinkedIn post, I share the story at the center of the opioid overdose crisis and offer a simple reminder that can help us protect ourselves from harmful stories. Join the conversation.
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Recommended Resource
The CORD Framework™
I developed this framework to help my clients evaluate and improve the editorial quality of their articles. We also use this framework when we are peer editing one another's work. Get your copy.
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Featured Appearance
Podcast: Human Capital Lab
I joined Rich Douglas, the Executive Director of Bellevue University's Human Capital Lab, to discuss how writing and publishing articles in trade journals and business magazines helps consultants find their voice, shape their professional identity, and maximize their impact. Take a listen!
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Upcoming Events
Pitched to Published™
Interested in learning how to write, pitch, and publish articles for high-visibility publications? Join me on Wednesday, April 9, at 11:55 AM Eastern for a mini-training on how to identify the publications you should target to help you reach your goals. The mini-training will be followed by a Q+A. There is no cost to attend this monthly event. Register here.
Master Class: How to Write for High-Visibility Publications
In this 60-minute master class, I will share the SILVA Method™ and walk you step-by-step through the process I use to help my clients secure bylines in publications like Harvard Business Review, Inc., and TD Magazine. Join me at 2 PM Eastern on Wednesday, April 9. Free. Register here.
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That's it for today!
If you have any questions or would like to explore working together, please book a call. I'd love to learn more about your business goals and how I might be of service.
Take good care,
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P.S. Are you ready to get those writing projects done? Join Writing Practice for monthly writing, peer editing, and skill-building workshops. Learn more here.
