This is not a new idea, and there are many forms and names for “morning pages”. It’s a form of writing practice. I was introduced to the concept during one of my senior level songwriting classes at Belmont University. It came to me from the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, and I have since adapted it into a practice that works for me, so today I’m going to share it with you because I believe much of my ability to write consistently can be attributed to this technique.
Morning
They are called morning pages for a reason, because they are meant to be done in the morning. This idea is that by writing first thing in the morning you can “sweep your mind” clear and allow your creativity to flow.
Written
I find written is best. You can do this in any way that works for you. For me, something about the act of moving a pen across paper has always had a cathartic effect. It’s my favorite way to begin the day, writing out whatever is floating through my head distracting me.
Timed
In the beginning the timer felt like pressure. I use to worry, “What if I don’t have anything to say?” But I start with something simple – dating the page, and it gets me started. I forget about the timer and just write. Literally, whatever came into my head. Pick a time that’s comfortable for you, I do 5 minutes as it usually works out to roughly a page for me. It doesn’t feel like a task because 5 minutes is so short, and that keeps it fun for me.
The Magic
The best part of morning pages is the magic that comes through. You start out writing whatever’s in your head; the color of the table, how you slept, the weather outside, but somewhere along the page the writing takes a turn. Something beautiful comes out of the ordinary. It might not happen for a while, or even every day, but it’s a lovely reminder of the gift that’s inside you – the writer’s perspective.
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