Writing for liberation exercise: opposites

writing exercise

Often talking about or thinking about opposites has a similar psychological effect to telling people not to think about something (they won't be able to help thinking about it). Here, I am suggesting you create (ie describe) a character that is the exact opposite of you-with all your complexity of faults, strengths, and strange habits.... Continue Reading →

Photographing disability

...or just photographing life. Lori L. Simpson describes herself as a "writer, artist, proud Texas native and human being- who happens to have disabilities". For now, Simpson is living in an assisted living centre.

Capitalism loves boring

“Rebel children, I urge you, fight the turgid slick of conformity with which they seek to smother your glory.” ― Russell Brand “There are no norms. All people are exceptions to a rule that doesn’t exist.”  ― Fernando Pessoa Drawing by Leunig.

Writing for liberation exercise: lose cliches

Not only do cliches tend to reinforce the status quo and stereotypes, they are also pretty boring. Here is an exercise to practice doing without: 1) Chose a any word... eg love, old, sky.. 2) For the word, list the 6 most obvious associated words. Eg Love: romance, heart, couple, kiss, date .. Old: wrinkles,... Continue Reading →

Why you should forget about read and share numbers

Lately, many of us have come to see read and share numbers as an efficient way to quantify a hierarchy of writers, journalists, opinions, artists, video producers and so on. We've adopted the market mentality that more article and post reads means more consumption, which is a good thing, no matter what. Validation is numerical,... Continue Reading →

3 emotional, powerful, brilliant spoken word poems

There's something super intimate - politically intimate- about watching people speak their own poems, seeing the face and feelings that go with the piece of soul and struggle contained in the words. Beck Cooper - Alone in a Bathroom Vernell Bristow - Kalgo Tree Jenesis Fonseca - "The Way to a Woman's Heart"

Writing for liberation exercise: venting anger

writing exercise

Sometimes some people mishandle their anger, but the feeling itself is legit. Though global injustice is wretched and ongoing, today many people are feeling an impotent anger and a lot of dread that is leaving them with low energy and struggling to think clearly. Here is an exercise to vent that anger, and perhaps even... Continue Reading →

Should everyone write?

I painted (in Spanish) "Poetry is like bread, for everyone" on my wall above my desk. It's a quote from Dalton - and its something I passionately believe in. Poetry, literature, art, stories, journalism, should be by everyone, for everyone. But what if you just can't get into poetry, either reading it or writing it?... Continue Reading →

Mexico’s magical monsters… and the Trump alebrije that rocked it

With 60% of Mexicans working informally, often selling all sorts of cheap goods in the streets and on public transport, and  neoliberalism tightly gripping the country, culture can play an important role in countering the overwhelming consumerism. I took these photos at Mexico's annual alebrije parade yesterday: 200 unique and wonderful monster-things wove their way... Continue Reading →

Writing for liberation exercise: rebellious writing prompts

Here are some beautiful first lines from some rebellious novels and stories, that you could use to try to write your own story. (Toni Morrison)They shoot the white girl first. (George Orwell)It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen (Alice Walker) You better not never tell nobody but God.... Continue Reading →

The way I write

I write in a ball. Stuck half way between solid ground and dreamland. Half asleep. So many people say they do their best writing when they are angry or sad and there are huge raging monsters to rip out and beat up. I have moments like that too, and I love the slick oil hard... Continue Reading →

Freedom of expression – Mayakovsky

The first night They approach And pick a flower from our garden And we don’t say anything. The second night, No longer hiding, they Stomp on the flowers, kill our dog, And we don’t say anything. Until one day The weakest of them Enters our house alone Robs us of light, and, Knowing our fear,... Continue Reading →

Writing for liberation exercise: who we write for

writing exercise

While without a doubt we often write for ourselves, our writing that we want to be read is speaking out to others with a message, fighting for a cause (even if that cause, in the case of conservatives, is to maintain the status quo). There is a lot of stuff out there about keeping your... Continue Reading →

Is it okay to write purely to entertain?

Fun characters, an intriguing plot, the excitement of a murder and an affair... is it okay to write a novel, story, or article, purely in order to entertain the reader? To distract them? In a world of rife and normalised injustice, I confess I often feel like distraction is out of order and those with... Continue Reading →

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