Lara Tupper: Swift Ink Stories

What I'm Reading

JULY WRITING PROMPT: (This exercise is inspired by Alexander Chee, who calls it "Bibliomancy.") Go to your bookshelf. Pick out three books at random. Flip through the pages until you feel moved to stop. Then skim the page and note which sentence jumps out at you. Repeat for each book you pulled out.

Write the three sentences down on a blank page and see what comes up for you. Are the sentences related in any way? Do the sentences bring up any personal memories or desires? What do you think of when you read them?

Allow yourself to write freely for 10 minutes or more. Write down anything that occurs to you. Be messy. Don't think too much about what it all means. Then read your words out loud to yourself-- or to a trusted someone.

Repeat this exercise any time you like.

NEXT ONLINE WRITING PRACTICE: Writing sessions in "Zoomland" have been, for me, a powerful way to connect and create community. My next Swift Ink workshop will be Thursday, July 9, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EDT. If yo…