Morning Pages

"Why morning pages? Many writers use this vehicle to jump-start their day, even though they still spend much of the day writing on other, hopefully profitable pursuits. Writing toss-away pages early in the day simply clears your mind of the clutter and noise accumulated overnight. Like a short meditative sit or a brief power nap, morning pages rejuvenate and result in a clearer state of mind.

Today I chose a target of three pages written in my Moleskine, which takes about 20 minutes, a time that’s highly manageable. Other writers I know write much more, and at times I’ve written 10 or 12 pages when there were things that needed outing, but the real point is in setting a minimum page count and not stop until said pages are filled. It’s also a good idea to force yourself to keep the hand moving as well. Morning pages are not a time for pondering then pontificating between the lines: the whole point is to unclutter and attain clear thinking, and distractions festered by inactivity don’t further that cause."

Gary Verner
Inkmusings

Comments

[Alex C.]

I have a thing with writing just before I go to sleep. I climb in bed, reach for my Moleskine, reach for my pen, and write about whatever is bothering me or whatever is on my mind period. If I think it, I write it. I write about my day aswell as write about what I hope to do the following day. Write about past memories that have come up and future plans. I usually fill a page or 2 every other night or so. I started off quite consistant, doing it every night, then every other night. I want to try to start doing it every night again, like how I started

[Debbie Chinique]

Julia Cameron has a morning pages notebook companion volume for her book "The Artist's Way", but I have just dedicated a Moleskine specifically for my morning pages as well.

[Zach]

It's great to read that other people do their morning pages in their Moleskines. And congrats Gary on being able to do it in 20 minutes; my mind wanders and my pen slows down a few times, so it takes me closer to half an hour.

[Sherri]

I just started morning pages at night no less. First day, I have to type because my hand hurts too much to write. It is a leftover from my brother's untimely death and the fact that I wrote every thank you note that left our family my left hand has not been the same since. I have a question. I have to struggle not to re-read and I made my girlfriend promise to burn my pages should i die before her.... (no control issues here) does anyone else use a pc? I got Ms. Cameron's book on the advice of a very sweet therapist. Also one more question has anyone tried her write away diet book? Any success?? Thanks in advance for any feedback. Sherri