Thank you, readers, writers, friends.

I was stuck, and a few small nudges have moved me.

1.
Don’t start with the big idea, says Naomi Shihab Nye. Start with a phrase, a line, a quote. Questions are very helpful. Begin with a few you’re carrying right now.

2.
Let’s consider this visual gem from poet-artist Mark Thalman:

Painters paint over what they don't like on the canvas. Sometimes the paint builds up so much, it has to be sanded down for the next revision. An artist chipping away has a block of stone to work with. Give yourself a block of words, and chip away what you don't need.

3.
Every morning for 14 years, Dave Bonta writes a 140-character observation.

I love this practice because observing leads to gratitude. And gratitude leads to appreciation. And appreciation creates joy. I want more joy in my days — and more writing — and a simple observation is the bite-size approach I need right now (and write now).

Instead of a character count, I’m writing three lines a day. If I write more, good. If not, that’s okay, too. This is a no-pressure assignment.

This week:

Morning winds force the day into

a rush of hurry, worry, wait.

Walking past trees laden with fruit,

you pluck a small plum and shine

with summer’s sweetness and ease.

I was in love with distance, with what wasn't there,

like wanting to know the exact book that would open

to the telling page.

Through meadow, brook and bear grass fields.

Over talus and scrabble and scree. Oh, this beautiful burn

of legs stretching, lungs pumping, joy bubbling.

Is this happiness?

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The world turns on words, please read & write.