Online Writer's Creativity Workshop

[Shalot]

Once upon a time I liked to read books and then when I finished a really good one, I would set out to write my own book (when I was a child of course).

I think writing is an activity that you practice. You mimic other's writings and eventually, you find your own voice. My problem is that I have lost touch with my creative side and I was wondering if any of you had any techniques or exercises you could suggest.

For example, in school, one of my favorite English teachers made us write a story or essay of our choice in the style of another writer (from our Norton anthology of course).

Are there any other activities someone could suggest?

[NickAdams]

Go into public with a note pad and write down the conversations of strangers.

[Durgamol]

Each day try to choose simple things and describe them in details: today it can be a tree that you see from window, tomorrow a pen you are writing with. Try to make descriptions as detailed as possible.

[Countess]

Read. Watch movies. Listen to music. Daydream.
Think. Feel. Reflect. Write.

[Shalot]

Here's a writing exercise idea I stole from King Felix --- collect some random posts from the forum and shape the story around the posts and see where your writing takes you.

Or I suppose you could go to your book shelves and take down a few books and collect some random sentences from those for ideas...

Thanks kingfelix

[lavendar1]

Try thinking about things in terms of scenes. Take a "scene" from your life (pick something that "churned you up," like a confrontation) and write down everything you can remember about it: setting, who was there (and what they look like), and how they talk. Do it as short and sweet as you can.

Go back to it a bit later, add on and revise, etc. You're developing your powers of observation.

[kathita]

many people told me to keep a journal!
write anything that comes to your mind, the guy you got a crush on today, the food in the caf, or the dream you had last night.

[the silent x]

listen to some very emotion provoking music, whether it be anger, sadness, happiness, etc, ... then turn all music off and write down what you are thinking about, works best when you are in private nad in silence/quiet areas.

[Naya Cos]

1. Observe children in public places like restaurants, buses, etc. Just watching them (not interacting), triggers all kinds of emotions and brings out the writer in you.

2. Write in words what you see in a few billboards seen along the highway. Ignore their captions, make up your own story.

3. Listen, eavesdrop! If it seems odd to listen to others in public, try this trick: play the radio only for a few seconds at a time!!

4. Develop a keen sense of smell. Try to remember systematically how different things smelled on a particular, special day such as a party, funeral, parade, holiday or sickday. The more you recall only the smells of the event, the stronger the drama of the day that you will discover.

5. Memorize a poem first thing in the morning, a short poem. Try to recall it throughout the day. Add a few more poems each week. The more poetry that you can recall with ease, the greater your ability to give voice to your story.

Good Luck!!

[trippy star]

think of scenarios that you find, funny, or ironic; then try to write them out so they sound as funny as possible.

[PeterL]

Style and Structure by Charles Kay Smith shows through examples how pieces were written and has suggested exercises for learning how to use another writer's style. I took his course in writing styles while he was writing the book. It was the most memorable and useful course that I ever took.

[cracking muse]

Go on a 'writing trip'.

First, go to a local coffee shop. Sit and drink something while to listen to and watch the people around you. Pick your character.

Get on the public transportation and get off where your heart tell you to. Here's your setting.

Walk around. Pick up a sentence from someone's converstation. There's your plot.

Fill in the blanks!

[Virgil]

Once upon a time I liked to read books and then when I finished a really good one, I would set out to write my own book (when I was a child of course).

I think writing is an activity that you practice. You mimic other's writings and eventually, you find your own voice. My problem is that I have lost touch with my creative side and I was wondering if any of you had any techniques or exercises you could suggest.

For example, in school, one of my favorite English teachers made us write a story or essay of our choice in the style of another writer (from our Norton anthology of course).

Are there any other activities someone could suggest?

I think your instincts as a child were correct. Here's an exercise. Take a short story you like. Copy it (hand writing it or typing) or as far as you can go before getting tired. And then take that paragraph by paragraph structure and reinvent your own story while keeping the original structure. It's only an exercise, but it gets you to think through a structure and story elements. The form is provided; you need to just be original. At some point you might want to go your separate way.

[xtianfriborg13]

Look around you, somewhere you'll find inspiration, you just have to look closer. :)