Plant Your Shiny New Writing Seed

You love the trees, don't you? And you want to pay it forward, right?

It's nearly time for FIRST WRITE™, the 24-hour writing marathon held annually on New Year's Day.

Are you up for a writing challenge? If you're ready to plant a shiny new writing seed in 2022, follow these steps:

1. Download the FIRST WRITE™ handbook here.
2. Make a pledge to a tree organization (if you want to be eligible for the giveaways.)
3. Set your writing intentions.
4. Determine your word count goal.
5. Announce your participation.
6. Prepare your writing space.
7. Plan your schedule.

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Happy New Year, First Writers!

The ball has dropped, the toasts are finished, and now it's time to get busy and create that new masterpiece.

Let's start your FIRST WRITE™ marathon with a Color Countdown visualization to help get your creative juices flowing:

Relax your mind by using the rainbow colors of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet to count down to the creative alpha mind state. It is here - in alpha - where you will be more apt to concentrate and produce more creative writing.

Close your eyes and take three deep breaths.

Picture yourself standing at the top of a rainbow staircase containing seven stone steps. The first step you see is Violet. As you imagine yourself stepping down onto the Violet stone step, inhale the color Violet, exhale, then think or say aloud:

"I am a writer. I am always positive that things happen for a reason and will turn out fine. I know everything I need to write."

Now walk down to the second step, Indigo. Breathe in the color Indigo, exhale, then think or say aloud:

"I am a writer. I am always a visionary and inspiring to others. I see everything I need to write."

Walk down to the fifth step, Blue. Breathe in the color Blue, exhale, then think or say aloud:

"I am a writer. I am always an excellent and honest communicator. I speak everything I need to write."

Walk down to the fourth step, Green. Breathe in the color Green, exhale, then think or say aloud:

"I am a writer. I am always healthy and healed. I love everything I need to write."

Walk down to the third step, Yellow. Breathe in the color Yellow, exhale, then think or say aloud:

"I am a writer. I am always learning and worthy of the power of knowledge. I can do everything I need to write."

Walk down to the sixth step, Orange. Breathe in the color Orange, exhale, then think or say aloud:

"I am a writer. I am always feeling good about myself and others. I feel everything I need to write."

Walk down to the seventh step, Red. Breathe in the color Red, exhale, then think or say aloud:

"I am a writer. I am always receiving the support I need. I have everything I need to write."

Now, clap your hands and open your eyes! You are feeling creative…inspired….and wide awake. You are ready to write!

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Writing Prompts

1. One thing I wish I had finished last year was…
2. The last time I felt really cold was…
3. Write a letter to yourself about the top three resolutions you intend to accomplish this year.
4. Write about the colors of winter you have seen so far. How do these colors make you feel? Do they have a smell or taste?
5. Write a story about how the world will change on January 1.
6. Write your life story in three words.
7. Write about the first time you knew you wanted to become a writer.
8. Write about your favorite New Year's Day tradition.
9. Write a one word summary about how you feel about the previous year.
10. Write a story about planting and nurturing a tree.