Creative Writing Lab Four

Creative Writing Lab Four

In the third Creative Writing Lab, you learned about Lateral Thinking and worked on re-designing either the apple, the cow, or the table. Take a look back at that session on Sharing Stories if you need a refresher on Lateral Thinking. http://northwestprimetime.com/news/2016/aug/22/creative-writing-lab-three/

Some of my other favorite Lateral Thinking (or Inventive Thinking) exercises are 1) to imagine a world where we could hear each other’s thoughts, 2) to imagine a world where there was no gravity, or 3) to imagine that time travel was possible. Be sure to include how some of the specific details of life would be like if one of those situations was a reality. Even briefly envisioning any of these as possible can really be mind opening! Here’s an example of the hearing thoughts exercise by Kathryn Minturn, a member of one of my writing groups.

What Were You Thinking?

We believe our thoughts are private. We can say one thing and think the opposite without anyone knowing. We can plan a murderous deed in our minds, and, if we never act on it, no one will be any wiser. But what would happen if we could hear each other’s thoughts? How would that change our world?

Perhaps our relationships would be deeper. We would feel more accountable for our actions if our motives and true feelings were exposed. Marriage might end with the revelation of infidelity. Loving relationships might begin when unspoken love is heard and welcomed.

If persuasive speech can change our minds, then can persuasive thoughts change our actions? Consider the concept of collective thinking. What would happen if we all heard each other’s thoughts of love and allowed them to sway us? Wholesale thoughts of hatred have moved many to horrific acts. We could use the example of Nazism as a machine of calculated, planned, and executed hatred. What if we created a machine of calculated, planned, and executed love by collectively listening to each other’s loving thoughts?

The world would be different. Hateful riots with rocks thrown and shots heard would be replaced by flowers tossed and hugs offered. The white noise of positive thoughts would hover over a crowd of thousands moving them to acts of love not hate.

What do you think of that? I would love to hear your thoughts. <3

Kathryn Minturn is a local writer and a member of one of Ariele Huff’s writing groups. Ariele’s newest writing group: Mountlake Terrace Senior Center, Wednesdays 10 am to noon. 23000 Lakeview Drive. Drop-ins welcome.

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