Greetings, Fearless Readers. I'm in a spiral. I seem to have spiraled right out of my forward motion. I've lost all belief in my story and all faith in myself.
So. I'm going to put myself out here. I got a Writer's Digest newsletter with "The 12-Day Plan of Simple Writing Exercises" by Brian A. Klems. If you would like to see the article, here it is: article
Below I've pasted the list of exercises.
The 12-Day Plan of Simple Writing Exercises
Day 1:
Write 10 potential book titles of books you’d like to write.
Write 10 potential book titles of books you’d like to write.
Day 2:
Create a character with personality traits of someone you love, but the physical characteristics of someone you don’t care for.
Create a character with personality traits of someone you love, but the physical characteristics of someone you don’t care for.
Day 3:
Write a setting based on the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen.
Write a setting based on the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen.
Day 4:
Write a letter to an agent telling her how wonderful you are.
Write a letter to an agent telling her how wonderful you are.
Day 5:
Write a 20-line poem about a memorable moment in your life.
Write a 20-line poem about a memorable moment in your life.
Day 6:
Select a book on your shelf and pick two chapters at random. Take the first line of one chapter and the last line of the other chapter and write a short story (no more than 1000 words) using those as bookends to your story.
Select a book on your shelf and pick two chapters at random. Take the first line of one chapter and the last line of the other chapter and write a short story (no more than 1000 words) using those as bookends to your story.
Day 7:
Write a letter to yourself telling you what you need to improve in the coming 6 months.
Write a letter to yourself telling you what you need to improve in the coming 6 months.
Day 8:
Rewrite a fairy tale from the bad guy’s point of view.
Rewrite a fairy tale from the bad guy’s point of view.
Day 9:
Turn on your TV. Write down the first line that you hear and write a story based on it.
Turn on your TV. Write down the first line that you hear and write a story based on it.
Day 10:
Go sit in a public place and eavesdrop on a conversation. Turn what you hear into a short love story (no matter how much you have to twist what they say).
Go sit in a public place and eavesdrop on a conversation. Turn what you hear into a short love story (no matter how much you have to twist what they say).
Day 11:
Write the acknowledgments page that will be placed in your first (next?) published book, thanking all the people who have helped you along the way.
Write the acknowledgments page that will be placed in your first (next?) published book, thanking all the people who have helped you along the way.
Day 12:
Gather everything you’ve written over the previous 11 days. Pick your favorite. Edit it, polish it and either try to get it published or post it on the Web to share with the world. Be proud of yourself and your work.
Gather everything you’ve written over the previous 11 days. Pick your favorite. Edit it, polish it and either try to get it published or post it on the Web to share with the world. Be proud of yourself and your work.
I'm going to try and post one of these every other day. And I'm going to try and get my mojo back. Hmm.... I wonder if someone from the future came back and stole it, like the 2nd Austen Powers flick? If only I had a Delorean.....
Anyone want to join me in my public humiliation? Not that I'm calling anyone out or anything... and not that I want any of my genius friends to prove once and for all they are the more talented writer... but you know. It could be fun. Or horrifying. You know.
Aw, I hope you do regain your forward momentum. This is a great idea to get the creative mind back to work. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that sounds great! I'd do it with you if I weren't in the middle of editing and writing now. But I'm sure it will give you the boost you need. Some of those exercises sound like fun, and things I've never done before. I think I'll save that article to come back to when I need it. Thanks for sharing, and good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, you guys. I'm rather terrified. the thought of putting one day old material up is terrifying, but hey, I can think of no better place to make an ass of myself but in public.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awesome! Good luck!
ReplyDelete