January 5, 2010 Tip o' the day

This exercise is a fun game to be enjoyed with at least one other person but if you can do it in a group it is even more fun and helpful.
Grab some paper and writing utensils. Now this game can be played by drawing or writing, either way you end up with some interesting creations. Make sure everyone participating has writing utensils but the paper is going to be passed around one at a time.The goal is to write or draw the first thing you think of and then pass the page to the next person and then they do the same.Don't worry about whether what you write or draw makes sense just put down what comes to mind first.Fill the entire page with words or images and then sit back and share your creation. If you chose words then read the piece together, sometimes you can really come up with some entertaining "poetry" or you can read it like a weird story.Of course sometime it just makes no sense at all, but that never matters, just keep experimenting and having fun. It is about the same with drawing although this can be a little more interesting the more abstract it is or can turn out to be a really funny cartoon.Always remind everyone participating that it doesn't matter whether they can draw or not becuase the variety of skill level only enhances it and it is of course meant to challenge you a bit. The most important part of this exercise is the free thought in puttiing down what comes to your mind first and of course the collaboration with others.