Did you know Fridays are when the Voiceworks crew upload a new writing exercise to the Virgule blog? Every week there’s a fresh one, and today we’ll take you through a few of our favourites from the archives.

Considering many of you will be reaching the end of your goals for the month shortly, this exercise on editing should be useful. Here is a 5 minute challenge to write something from a different perspective. Poets, here is one for you… and another one. This is an attempt to get your descriptive abilities flowing, as is this one. Here’s a chance to use your ears to find inspiration. Or how about a quick activity designed to give you some potential story starters? This activity calls on you to write continuously for ten full minutes. Lastly, we leave you with opening lines to make your own.

Opportunities and Events

Do you write about new media art? Meanjin have a mentorship for one lucky arts writer. Applications close today so make sure your pitch reaches them. Details here.

Entries to the Cancer Council of Victoria Arts Awards 2013 close July 29. More information can be found on their website.

Underbelly Arts Festival are looking for volunteers during the months of July and August. To get involved download a volunteer application form here.

A house writers’ festival is in the works in Tasmania. If you’d like to participate, or to find out more, check it out over here.

More motivation to get writing in today’s quote

Finally, if you want to write, you have to just shut up, pick up a pen, and do it. I’m sorry there are no true excuses. This is our life. Step forward. Maybe it’s only for ten minutes. That’s okay. To write feels better than all the excuses – Natalie Goldberg

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