It's January 1, 2025. Wonderful New Years' Party - drove home late last night in a soft snow flurry. I'm still pondering the image of a Dung Gate. Does this mean 2025 is going to be a “shitty”– or a “smelly” year?
When I began teaching a writing course six years ago, I knew that I had to create a safe place apart from the inner critic that haunts and inhibits beginning writers.
Around the same time, I became aware of research on lie detection. They had learned that to find out if someone is honest, ask them if they enjoy a good bowel movement. If they deny it – they are lying. Apparently, we all feel really good after we have had emptied ourselves, had a good dump – and the place stinks.
So when I began teaching, I instructed the writers to imagine themselves in the washroom. “When you write your first draft – go into a washroom, lock the doors and sit on the toilet and shit it out.”
I don’t ordinarily like to use the word “shit” but in this context it seemed appropriate. I used it as a rule – repeating it every week for the eight week course. “Lock everyone out of your private room, - don’t even let your partner in – and enjoy a good dump.” I said over and over again.
I’ve been teaching that course now for six years and I have been surprised at the success of the writing that has come out of those washroom breaks. I think there are a few other props that have helped, but I truly believe it was this constant urging to write the first draft on the toilet – this unique safe workspace especially suited for the vulnerable moments – that helped the most. We all need a safe place. to create.
I am still smiling -- as I wish you a happy new year. May this Dung Gate image for 2025 – symbolizing a smelly but healthy year – inspire you to take advantage of those washroom breaks and turn each stinky moment of this new year into something beautiful.
Wishing you a Happy Safe New Year!
“You have to accept the fact that sometimes you are the pigeon, and sometimes you are the statue.” Claude Chabrol
When I began teaching a writing course six years ago, I knew that I had to create a safe place apart from the inner critic that haunts and inhibits beginning writers.
Around the same time, I became aware of research on lie detection. They had learned that to find out if someone is honest, ask them if they enjoy a good bowel movement. If they deny it – they are lying. Apparently, we all feel really good after we have had emptied ourselves, had a good dump – and the place stinks.
So when I began teaching, I instructed the writers to imagine themselves in the washroom. “When you write your first draft – go into a washroom, lock the doors and sit on the toilet and shit it out.”
I don’t ordinarily like to use the word “shit” but in this context it seemed appropriate. I used it as a rule – repeating it every week for the eight week course. “Lock everyone out of your private room, - don’t even let your partner in – and enjoy a good dump.” I said over and over again.
I’ve been teaching that course now for six years and I have been surprised at the success of the writing that has come out of those washroom breaks. I think there are a few other props that have helped, but I truly believe it was this constant urging to write the first draft on the toilet – this unique safe workspace especially suited for the vulnerable moments – that helped the most. We all need a safe place. to create.
I am still smiling -- as I wish you a happy new year. May this Dung Gate image for 2025 – symbolizing a smelly but healthy year – inspire you to take advantage of those washroom breaks and turn each stinky moment of this new year into something beautiful.
Wishing you a Happy Safe New Year!
“You have to accept the fact that sometimes you are the pigeon, and sometimes you are the statue.” Claude Chabrol
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