These Two Writing Exercises Changed How I Write – From Ursula K. Le Guin

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares valuable insights into writing exercises from Ursula K. Le Guin's *Steering the Craft*. As both an author and teacher, the speaker highlights the importance of daily writing practice and how specific exercises can help hone different aspects of writing. Two exercises are explored: 'Being Gorgeous,' which focuses on the sound of language, and 'Again and Again and Again,' which emphasizes the power of repetition. Through these exercises, the speaker reflects on personal growth as a writer, encouraging viewers to step out of their comfort zones and use these techniques to improve their craft.

Takeaways

• 😀 Writing is a skill that improves with practice, so aim to write every day to refine your craft.
• 😀 Writing exercises help you focus on specific areas of your writing and are a valuable tool for improvement.
• 😀 Ursula K. Le Guin's book *Steering the Craft* provides exercises that emphasize fundamental writing components like sound, rhythm, and repetition.
• 😀 The first exercise, 'Being Gorgeous,' focuses on the sound of your writing, helping you experiment with onomatopoeia, repetition, and rhythm.
• 😀 The 'Being Gorgeous' exercise asks you to write a paragraph that can be read aloud, focusing on sound effects, without worrying about plot.
• 😀 The second part of the 'Being Gorgeous' exercise involves describing an emotion using rhythm and movement in your sentences.
• 😀 Writing exercises help writers who struggle with visualizing scenes to enhance their descriptive writing and evoke emotions more effectively.
• 😀 The second exercise, 'Again and Again and Again,' encourages the use of repetition to create emphasis and resonance in your writing.
• 😀 Repetition can be a powerful tool in writing, helping to create echoes and reinforce key themes, even though writers are often told to avoid it.
• 😀 Le Guin's exercises, even when repeated, offer new insights each time, making them valuable for both new and experienced writers.
• 😀 Writing exercises like these push writers outside their comfort zones, helping them improve and grow in areas they might overlook otherwise.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on writing exercises from Ursula K. Le Guin's 'Steering the Craft' and how they can help improve writing skills.

What is the significance of writing every day for a writer?

Writing every day helps maintain a regular practice and sharpens the writer's craft, ensuring consistent improvement.

What is the first writing exercise discussed in the video?

The first exercise is called 'Being Gorgeous,' which focuses on the sound of language in writing, encouraging writers to experiment with rhythmic effects, repetition, and other sound techniques.

How does the exercise 'Being Gorgeous' help a writer?

This exercise helps a writer focus on the sensory aspects of writing, such as sound and rhythm, which can enhance the emotional and visual impact of the story.

Why is the sound of language important in writing?

According to Ursula K. Le Guin, the sound of language is fundamental because it creates narrative momentum and engages readers, making the story feel alive and dynamic.

What emotion did the writer focus on for part two of the 'Being Gorgeous' exercise?

The writer focused on the emotion of rage, using the rhythm and movement of sentences to embody that strong emotion.

What is the second writing exercise mentioned in the video?

The second exercise is called 'Again and Again and Again,' which focuses on the use of repetition in writing, specifically repeating words, phrases, or events to create powerful echoes in the narrative.

What does repetition accomplish in writing, according to Le Guin?

Repetition, when used effectively, can create emotional depth, emphasize important themes or actions, and enhance the overall tone and atmosphere of the story.

What was the specific word the writer used in the 'Again and Again and Again' exercise?

The writer used the word 'howl' as the repeating element in their exercise.

What was surprising to the writer during the 'Again and Again and Again' exercise?

The writer was surprised by how easily they were able to visualize a scene, specifically a birthday party, which was unusual for them since they typically struggle with visualization while reading and writing.

How do writing exercises contribute to a writer's growth?

Writing exercises force writers to step outside their comfort zones, hone specific skills, and explore techniques they might not naturally use, leading to continuous improvement and new insights into their own writing style.