Writing Inspiration

My writer friend, Reggie, has a fast track story mind. She's never at a loss for story ideas. Some writers say this is the definition of a writer.

But if we must have a deck of stories shuffling in our brain to be a writer, where does that leave those who love to write but struggle finding stories, essay topics, or memoirs? Are we wannabees? No. We are writers, too. Say it. I am a writer.

Our problem is not lack of imagination. It's lack of exercising our imagination. Just like a body needs exercise, the brain needs exercise, the imagination needs exercise. These exercises can range from simple to complex. They can be difficult to the point of painful. But push through the pain and keep at it. Start out slow if you have to, just stay with it.

The tendency will be to quit. Avoid telling yourself it's a stupid exercise or it doesn't work. Sendentary couch potatoes use the same type of self talk when it comes to physical exercise. After a day or two, they're ready to throw in the (dry) towel. Yet, if you talk to someone who pushed through and succeeded, you'll hear the positive aspects. It does work, if you hang in there.

Below are a five exercises ranging in levels of intensity. Try one. Try them all. Repeat them often. One rule: The excercises must be performed with a pad and pen or tapping a keyboard. In other words, write out the exercises. Here you go.

• take one unpleasant memory and change the outcome to a happy one


• take one pleasant memory and change the outcome to a tragic one


• read the newspaper, choose a human interest story, and create a new fictional story. Start by asking what if this happened? Introduce a villian to your story. If the real story is a tragedy, create a comedy or a romance. Set your story in the future and add science fiction. Or set your story in the past. How would the story change without modern conveniences?


• choose a person you may like only a little. Now create a character that you love. Write a scene where this lovable character does something despicable, something the person you like only a little would do. Reverse this exercise: choose a person you love. Create a character you don't like. Write a scene where this unloved person does something angelic, something the person you love would do.


• make a list of accomplishments in your life: graduated college, graduated kindergarten, visited The Vatican, visited the Grand Canyon, went deep sea fishing, went bass fishing. Consider things you've done that a person your age living in a third world country may never get to experience. You'll discover even the smallest accomplishments are noteworthy. Choose an accomplishment from the list and write about it. While telling what happen, write about how you felt at the time, what you learned, and why you haven't forgotten the event. This exercise requires quiet time to recall.

Writing inspiration is everywhere -- in people we meet, places we go, things we do. As writer's we just need to exercise our imagination. Carry that pad and paper or better a recording device. Jot down or record what you see or hear. Ask those what if questions. Dig deep. Go to the place inside where you live all by yourself and write.

Say this. I am a writer. I will exercise my imagination. I will seek to take my writing where no one has gone before. Any questions?

Characters Speak -- Writers Listen

Writers talk about having conversations with their characters, listening to what their characters say. It's a concept that's hard to grasp, until it happens to you.

I freaked out the first time a character came to me. She said, "I like the feel of dirt on my tongue."

As I listened and asked questions, she spoke more, and every time, I repeated her words into my recorder.

It's an awesome experience to listen to your characters, then watch them come alive on paper. If it hasn't happened to you, don't despair. It will, when you least expect. Practice patience, believe, and talk to your characters. Even if they ignore you. One of them will talk back, when (s)he knows you're ready to listen.

It took about two years of serious writing, before one of my characters paid me a visit; but, I never gave up hope.

Characters do speak. As a writer, you must listen. Any questions?

Writer Technology

I admire writers who create stories with pen and paper. Since I worked for a newspaper, where all our stories were typed and sent to the proofreader, I bang out my work on a keyboard.

So, I'm a tech writer. Give me yWriter5 to outline my next project or Sonar3 to track my submissions. I keep up with my writing group using Yahoo Groups. I like Free Mind for brainstorming my plots or developing my characters.

I use a spreadsheet called Book Tracker, which I found at Writing A Novel. The spreadsheet helps me keep my project(s) and writing goals on track.

Right now, I'm using Windows Live Writer to post, edit, and publish this blog. It's my first time using this program. On my screen, to the right, I can insert maps, videos, pictures, tables, and tags.

There's nothing wrong with pen and paper. Nothing wrong with computing your way to a best seller, either. What kind of writer are you?

The most important thing you can do for your writing is write. Everyday.

Either longhand or tap that keyboard. Just write. Any questions>

Writing Groups

My writing group meets this evening. So, I thought it would be a good time to post a few words about writing groups in general. When I joined my group, we were about fourteen people strong. Each member had a unique writing talent dissimilar to the others. It was a great group, a fun group.

Then, some of us wanted to do our own thing, and my writing group came together. We had high hopes and set some goals. Writing goals, publishing goals, bonding goals, conference goals. We held a successful open mic.

You might be thinking about joining a writing group. Well, here's a few things to consider before you make a commitment.

1) Diversity within the group is important, but so is commonality. Make a list of individual differences and common goals / interests. Make sure you can live with both lists.

2) Consider personalities. What are the chances yours will clash with a group member's? Is the group cliquish? Staying with a group, when you feel like an outsider, may not be worth the benefits your group provides.

3) Expect a leader to imerge. Desire it. Just make sure you're willing to follow whoever rises to the challenge.

4) Voice your opinion about the group's direction or lack of it. Keeping a group on track is challenging.

5) Keep your individual goals in sight and pursue those goals, which might differ from group goals. Don't forsake your goals to chase a group dream, unless you are 200% certain the dream will be a reality.

Group dynamics are important and the group's achievements will hinge on each member coming together as one. The writing and critiquing will fall into place.

There's a lot to consider before jumping into a writing group. Any questions?

Last Words

Some people must have the last word. The rest of us allow it. We could keep it going, but choose to drop it. Let Last Word Lucy have her way.

Last words are never as important as at the end of a short story or novel. Here, as writers, we have the last word; and, it needs to carry so much impact our readers want to keep it going. They're not ready to drop our characters or leave our story world.

The beginning of a book, story, or movie can be memorable, the middle unforgettable. But, if the ending bombs readers will feel let down or cheated.

When you're thinking about the twists and turns of your story, think about the ending and how you'll leave a mark on readers' hearts, souls, and minds. Write the best last words ever.

As a writer, have the last word. Any questions?