Write for You: A Big Fat Pen

by Nancy Casey

Is there really enough time in the day to do all the things that are good for you? Meditation and relaxation. Yoga and stretching. Take a walk. Catch up with a friend. Cook some nutritious food. Work on a craft project. Sleep.

There also must be time to do the things you have to do. Laundry. Go to work. Take care of certain people. Clean up after yourself. Show up for meetings and engagements.

Then there is your writing practice. Of course it’s always a good idea to write a page. In the act of writing we say to ourselves, “I am here.” Over time, the collection of pages gives you a record of who you are.

If you find it hard to make the time to write a page because you live in a continuous avalanche of “oughts” and obligations—get a fatter pen. A big fat pen.

Today, write a page using the biggest pen you can find. Or a crayon, maybe. Even your finger could work. (What could you dip it in?)

Today, write with something nice and fat. Something that forces you to write big letters. Something that will fill up the page really fast.

Lay out your page before you begin to write. Draw a line where the title will go. Set off some space for illustration. You can always doodle around in the illustration space while you are thinking about what you will write.

Write anything you want. Whatever comes to mind.

If nothing comes to mind, begin by writing down the names of things that are in front of you. You won’t run out of things to name before you run out of space on the page. Especially if you decide to add some comments or description to what you name.

You will fill up the page in no time at all. Maybe you will say, “Look at that! I’m already done!”

I hope you will also say, “This was really easy. No need to make a big deal of it.”

Maybe you will even say, “No reason not to do this again tomorrow.”

Give your work a title when you have finished. Make sure the date is on it somewhere, too. Add further decoration and color to the page as needed. Here is an example of what a person’s page could look like.

You can share what you have written by posting it as a comment below. You can type in your work. Or post a picture of it.

Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. She will offer writing classes in the spring. You can find more of her work here. She also available to give (free!) writing help to anyone in recovery. This can be for any kind of writing project—resumes, letters, stories novels, homework—for more information email latahrecoverycenter@gmail.com.