Object Writing

Object writing is a short (under 10 minute) creative writing or brainstorming process to sharpen your writing skills and to get you thinking like a songwriter.

Want to do an online object writing below? I will publish it on this site.

Try the brain storming songwriting exercise. Make it shorter than 10 minutes so you’re never able to say to yourself that you don’t have time for the exercise.

If you catch yourself saying you can’t prioritize 10 minutes in your life, you’re either stringing yourself along or you have some other major issues to deal with. Book 10 minutes a day with yourself.

Morning is the preferred time to do it but any time will work. It only takes two or three times to get the hang of this method of brain storming.

Doing it in the morning makes you think like a songwriter all day. Gets you in the mindset so you are looking for songs, titles or ideas in everything you encounter in daily conversations and interactions.

I’ve heard this exercise called by other names but that doesn’t really matter. The point is “just do it” and try to do it regularly. It will provide you insight, ideas and lots of fun reading what you come up with. It can change your songwriting.

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I first heard about it from Pat Pattison while at a songwriting course at REO Rafting. Pat had the class do the exercise each morning and we read out what we had written to each other. It was great fun and we always marveled at the great ideas that jumped onto the page.

The idea is to write for 10 minutes (timed) without stopping, editing, correcting or judging what you are creating. Just write starting with a topic and keep writing the chain of ideas that you mind thinks of next. You will stray far away from you original topic and that’s good.

It is not meant to be correct, beautiful or poetic. Do not try to use form, rhymes or have any goal or direction in mind. That means no poems, no lyrics, and no songs. Just write an unabridged train of thought.

The goal is to write fully from the seven senses of touch, taste, sound, sight, smell, movement and body sensations. You want to open your mind and senses and write whatever comes into your head no matter how silly or stupid it may seem. It’s a creative writing free for all.

You will be amazed at the ideas and interesting images you come up with. I’ve started many a song from this creative writing exercise.

You can do this exercise by yourself but it is more fun doing with others, either at the same time and place or by email. You pick a topic and start writing. If you’re doing it by email, take turns picking a topic and respond to the each other’s email.

I did an object writing every morning for a year with my friend Jess from China (who I met at the REO songwriting course). If you can’t do this on your own there are groups of people who get together to do this socially. There is a website called ObjectWriting.com.

Here’s a trick to use when you’re stuck on a lyric or line in a song.

Do you want to do a ten minute object writing right here? Share it! Just pick a topic (usually one word) and write for 10 minutes.

Please use a timer and make sure you stop on time. No lyrics, poems or form. Its train of thought. Its not a race, its for your fun and creativity.

If you can't think of a topic, look around the room you are in and choose something you can see. You can also write on the topic someone else has written on.

I know you'll be tempted, but please do not edit except for spelling mistakes and only do that after you've finished.

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Telephones - object writing  Not rated yet
Telephones - object writing

connect to anyone around the world,
in less than seconds,
listen to some music,
talk to a friend,
nice conversation,...