Object writing or object recording is a short (under 10 minute) creative writing or brainstorming process to sharpen your writing skills and to get you thinking like a songwriter.
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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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.
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.
Click below to see object writing contributions from other visitors to this page...
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Meany Bobinny Ca-shy I'm seeing you on the Dance Floor Touching The ceiling Around it And bend ...
baby-object writing
baby-object writing There he is looking at me with those big Grey eyes. I cant believe he's mine. So many people thought it wasn't true. So many people ...
Clutter
Clutter. Clutter all around. Papers piled high. Stacks on stacks. Books, even those in the bookcase, tumbling, leaning and relying on each other for support....
seedpod
Seedpod. Seedpod holds the next generation protectively secure, for the most part, from hungry foragers, safe from the dessicating summer sunshine, away ...
Big red mug... object writing
It is tall and big. and deep.when I bought it it was 2 dollars from a fabric shop. fancy selling mugs in a fabric shop. there were two of them .i bought ...
Blanket
You have my thoughts wrapped around you like a blanket, they cling to you for warmth. They just don't wanna not explore. You have my thoughts wrapped up ...
Black and white glimmers with contrast. Pictures jump out at you and grab you. They take you places in your mind. The ...
Clutter
Clutter clutter is everywhere I see and suddenly I can't see through it anymore because it is so clutterful, like a butterfly with wings that don't mirror ...
It lies motionless but speaks volumes Creates a breeze as page turns Musky, woody Flat with hills that forms letters Creates ...
STRUCTURE - OBJECT WRITING
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STRUCTURE - OBJECT WRITING ABOUT STRUCTURE BUILD ME UP INTO THE SKY AND KEEP GOING PILING BUILDING UNTIL I DROP INTO DOWN FROM THE HEAVENS CITIES TOWNS ...
My Boots
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My Boots My boots are black with paint and caulking stains on the toes of them. They are Magnum XLR 3 or some fancy title like that. They are made for ...
Brandon- object writing
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Brandon and I once were best friends but now we hardly even talk at all. I gave him all of my heart but somehow he's tearing it apart little by little ...
Lightbulb blurry night seen in photos tagged on myspace facebook internet intertwined shines. Start with your matchhead in ...
Line in the sand
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Line in the sand A line lovingly drawn in the sand. Seagulls dipping, diving, swooping, hunting for a discarded chip. It’s not surprising they like chips ...
revolver
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Revolver. Goes off in your hand. Shit! It rocketed a volt up your arm so violent it gives you an instant headache. So close to your ear. You'd never expected ...
smells that brighten you days, colorful as the world i wish i lived in, meaningful with just one glance or thought, one ...
dog
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dog - object writing - Furry & friendly Likes to give hugs, chews our socks if we leave them lying around, I don't always leave my sock lying around, my ...
Journal- Object Writing
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Journal- Object Writing Place where words are written down, can be full of life's secrets, hard book cover, interesteding pages, using a pen to write ...
Minds
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Where are all your thoughts going? Will you ever find them again? What if you've lost them. Where should you look?
I wish my mind was as blank as this page...white noise is playing in my head. My man's in bed, he's dead tired and I can'...
rutine object writing
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rutine object writing- i don't know really how this is supposed to work . but i guess i'll just write whatever comes to my mind. i've chosen "rutine" as ...
Walk - Object writing
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walk- object writing - cold morning chattering air closing on my ears and neck, cool distant stars climbing behind the clouds and peaking out from behind ...
Object Writing - Pictures
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Object Writing - pictures take you here there everywhere they take you back to another time they bring people and things to mind they haunt you follow ...