This summer I’ve been trying to keep a “practice” of writing. Much of it is just trying to train myself to become comfortable with my desk and finding easy ways to engage productively with words.
I had a little trouble today setting a writing task and so thought a way into words could be a list.
And so, I present to you today a list of items taking up space on my desk:
One computer, closed and charging. I will crack it open later, but if I did that now, I will become too distracted to work through this task.
The potted plant, succulents from the brother’s wedding that are growing a little too wild.
A lamp, an automatic stapler I don’t know how to use, and two coasters. Meanwhile my coffee is growing cold as it sits on the mailer from Fairfield U that I haven’t looked through yet.
A light-up moon that sits on a ceramic hand. My son gave it to me two Christmases ago, and I’ve forgotten how to charge it to make it work.
One standing eyeglass case that holds seven pens.
An open packet of Papermate pens, the best pens to write with.
A small framed picture of my grandmother.
A happiness stone that I like to hold when I need to think.
Lead for a lost mechanical pencil.
Some sort of wire that confuses me.
Lucy Ives’s three six five book of writing prompts.
A thank you note from the daughter of a friend who passed away a couple years ago. (She shared that she has cancer and I’m not sure how to process this new information.)
My passport and a renewal application so that I can be prepared to travel whenever I need to.
A letter from school.
Three books that I am considering teaching next year: The Metamorphosis, The Stranger and The Kite Runner.
An Emily Dickinson bookmark that was given to me over 30 years again by my former high school English teacher.
Two issues of Poets & Writers Magazine.
Three journals/writing notebooks.
Three pairs of eye glasses.
I have to admit, I am a list person and this task was quite satisfying. Normally I write “To Do” lists and then I get to scratch out tasks after they are completed. But this exercise was helpful too. It got me thinking about what works for me and what I value.
If you’re looking for an easy way to get into some words, try the list out. Happy Writing!
Venessa Anderson 