Writing Between the Lines

Somedays It seems that being a writer is the same as being a rat in a maze. You try one path and it runs into a dead end, then you try another path and you wind up at another dead end. The question is do you go back and try a 3rd path, or do you attempt to break through the dead end?

NEVER throw away a notebook!!!!

My writing project for today was pretty simple. I went through my desk and pulled out all of my full notebooks. I reread them and found some really interesting scribbles, that I had completely forgotten about. This particular stash ranges from 6mo-2yrs old.

I guess my point is that your writing journals are invaluable sources of inspiration and even if you scribble something that seems useless at the time, it could develop into something amazing later.

As an example: I wrote a short story when I was 17yrs old. It sat in a drawer for 7yrs and then I rewrote it into one of my favorite pieces of flash fiction.

I would also encourage you that if you're going to scratch something out, just draw a single line through it. I've come back to pieces and decided I liked the bit that I struck out and with only one line through it, its still readable.

Free Write/Stream of Consciousness

I don't usually do this, but today it was a really productive tool...

When I write steam of consciousness, or free write, I usually pick a song, or playlist that I'm really into at the moment. I fire it up super loud and just start scribbling, without letting myself stop, until the song(s) finish. Its interesting because I find that the subject matter, or pace of the piece I write will match the song(s).

Today I played Greenday.

The most important (and most difficult) thing about this kind of writing prompt, in my experienc, is NOT pausing to think about or analyze what you've written. You just have to keep going.

The Writer's Environment

Location, location, location...

Ladies and Gentlemen, if you do not have a special workspace at home, for writing, I would encourage you to set one up.

For me, there is nothing more important than having a good environment to write in. If I don't feel comfortable in a particular place, I can't get the creative juices flowing.

Recently, I have really been struggling, trying to write at home. So I decided that it was time to rearrange my workspace, so that it would be more conducive to the creative process. I can't even describe what a huge difference it has made. Call it writer's feng shui, or something like that.

(My own personal writing haven, cluttered with all my favorite things, just how I like it!!! : D )

If you find that you just can't write at home at all, or need a change of scenery for inspiration I would suggest a couple alternatives:

Right now, the places I have found that work the best for me are coffee shops (Starbucks in particular. Check out my post about why I think Starbucks is awesome.)

 http://sarah2point0favoritethings.blogspot.com/2010/04/starbucks-coffee-company.html

Also, bookstores like Borders or Barnes and Noble have cafes and extensive seating areas; besides, you can't tell me that being surrounded by thousands of books isn't inspiring.

I've had minimal success trying to write in a libraries, I find it too quiet, but that may be EXACTLY what YOU need.

I guess the bottom line is, trying different setups and locations, until you discover the optimum writing environment for you, is a fun, worthwhile project.

The Writing Prompt Deck

I came up with this system to use with my writing group. It is a really simple way to generate a writing prompt.

Materials:
-index cards in at least 3 different colors (I recommend cards with recycled content.Try Office Depot.)
(http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/279688/Oxford-Color-Coded-Recycled-Index-Cards/)

-a writing implement (pen, marker, sharpie...just make sure it won't bleed through the card.)

-index card case (optional...you could always just use a rubber band or ziplock bag to keep your cards together.)

To Make Your Deck:
1.) Write the category on the front of each card according to the color.
yellow=protagonist (main character)
red/pink=setting
blue=action
green=object
purple=secondary character
(you can use any color for any category, these were just the ones I chose.)

2.) Fill in the back of each card with one thing that corresponds to its category. (A character could be an old woman, a setting could be the beach, an action could be crying, etc.)

That's it! your deck is made! Easy, huh?

To Use Your Deck:
1.) Shuffle each category seperately.
2.) lay each category face down.
3.) select one card from each category and turn it face up.
4.) Use the selection of words together as a prompt.

Example:
character card = man
setting card = city
action card = worry
object card = shoes
secondary character card = sales person
You could use these prompts to write about a man who just arrived in a new city. He is worried because he needs a new pair of shoes for a job interview. So he goes to a store to buy said shoes and is assisted by a sales associate.

It may not be epic, but it will get you started. Have fun!

on Dreams and Writing

    For me, dreams have been a pivotal part of my creative process. The bizarre alternate reality that plays in your head while catching a couple Zs can be a wealth of inspiration.

    I would encourage anyone who writes, to keep a notebook and pen by their bed. Committing a dream experience to paper as quickly as possible after it occurs helps retain the impressions, sensations and emotions that fade almost immeadiately after you wake up.

Happy Scribbling!

Sarah...The Writer

    Calling myself a "writer" seems pretty presumptuous. I always think of writers as people who make their living by writing. I do not make my living by writing, YET, but I have had several professors and peers tell me that by the very nature of the fact that I am actively producing written works on a regular basis, makes me a writer. Cool!

    I've been scribbling since I was about 8yrs old. I completed my first young adult mystery at 12ish. I grew up a big fan of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, so that seemed like an obvious choice of genre.

    The last couple years I've taken two creative writing classes and branched out into poetry, flash fiction (simply defined as a very short short story) and general fiction.

    Right now I have a couple manuscripts in the works, with the goal of publishing sometime in the near future. And for my New Years resolution I'm writing in a journal everyday for a year. It may not sound like a lot, but I spend more time keeping up with my writing schedule, than doing my homework. (shhhhhhh, don't tell my professors.)