The goal of this warm-up exercise is to keep our hands moving across the page. It is a writing practice that is done without self judgement.
No attention is given to spelling or grammar. No attention is given to "good" or "lovely" words, "fly" or "marketable" ideas, "gripping" or "sympatico" characters.
Our full attention is given to stringing words together, one after another. Our goal is to envoke our subconscious creative source. Some days the writing will be extraordinarily lame. That's good and as it should be. But sometimes we'll actually strike gold and discover something wonderful, like a character's deepest fear or the most hilarious line of dialog.
Instructions: Begin with a simple prompt, such as "I remember . . . Or I smell . . . I want to write . . . " If you realize that your hand is no longer moving, write the prompt down and begin again. Write without thinking for 20 minutes.
TIP: We're inviting the muse to come and play. If we open that dialog every day she'll join us, sometimes when we least expect it.
* notes on the name: "Lightning writing" is Goldberg's name. Because I first came to this practice when I read her book, that's what I call it. (I've noticed many other writers describe a similar practice, but call it different names.) 'Lightning' might refer to speed, though I don't believe speed is the goal. For me the 'lightning' refers to a still place where a spark of inspiration may strike and, if the conditions are right, light a fire. The bonus is when I practice regularly, I notice a lightening that goes with everything I do, from creative efforts to less attractive chores.
