From Naomi: Based on the Writer's Notebook exercise from the University of Iowa MOOC that some of us are currently taking online (runs from April to June. For more info: http://iwp.uiowa.edu/iwp-courses/distance-learning-courses/moocs), to register, go here: https://www.canvas.net/browse/uofiowa/courses/how-writers-write-poetry)
Naomi brought a page of her notebook and distributed it. In the course lesson, three instructors talked for about 50 minutes discussing different methods: whether to use a computer or a phone or a small notebook, a pretty expensive journal (not really recommended), which type of cheap exercise book, etc. Basically the instructions are to go about your day, listen and be observant to what you see and hear in your life, the street, any overheard conversations, and actively note down what sparks your interest and curiosity. Record it as objectively as you can. Then, go back later, days later or whatever, and see how the pieces might fit together, two pieces might go together to create something new. We used Naomi's pages as a prompt for ten minutes of writing.
Naomi brought a page of her notebook and distributed it. In the course lesson, three instructors talked for about 50 minutes discussing different methods: whether to use a computer or a phone or a small notebook, a pretty expensive journal (not really recommended), which type of cheap exercise book, etc. Basically the instructions are to go about your day, listen and be observant to what you see and hear in your life, the street, any overheard conversations, and actively note down what sparks your interest and curiosity. Record it as objectively as you can. Then, go back later, days later or whatever, and see how the pieces might fit together, two pieces might go together to create something new. We used Naomi's pages as a prompt for ten minutes of writing.