Writing exercises?

Do you warm up before you sit down to write?

I’ve been doing some interesting drawing exercises given to me by the very incredible artist, Anne Siems. And it made me wonder; do these exercises count towards writing? Could they be a warm-up to writing? Is there such a thing as writing warm-ups?

I haven’t written a thing lately because I’ve been spending all my time creating social media videos and announcements for my book launch. amazon.com/author/ginichin

They’re finally all done and ready to go for the ten day countdown to launch. @gchinwrites

The drawing exercises shown here are done by closing your eyes and touching your face while drawing. No peeking allowed. Sometimes I do them in bed when I wake up and it’s still dark outside so I can’t see a thing.

When I started doing them it was fun (and funny), then it became frustrating. Now, after about two weeks, it has become more meditative and interesting. (Sounds a bit like the writing process.) First off, I didn’t even want to feel my face. I don’t particularly like looking at it so why would I want to touch it? Eventually I got over it and today it occurred to me that if we could see the things we see on a daily basis as though for the very first time, how would it change our perceptions? Would we be less judgemental? More curious? Open to discovery maybe? That’s kind of how these blind face exercises make me feel.

Will it open my mind or my imagination while writing? It can’t hurt.

Another thing I’m doing is trying to draw a photo of myself as a five year old. ('I’m not going to show you those attempts!) but here’s the photo I’m drawing from.

Wearing mom’s wig.

Recently I’ve been hyper-aware of my crooked smile when I see myself in photos. I actually wondered if I’d had some mini-stroke or something. When the hell did that happen?! Then, I’m examining this photo of me at five years old and lo and behold… there’s that crooked smile! To my surprise, I now have a fondness for it. I’m not going to try to hide it anymore. It’s integral to who I am.

What does this have to do with writing? I kinda forget now. Anyway… just try something new. Force it if you have to. Work through it. It might give you a new perspective. It might help your writing. It can’t hurt.