Find a subject you care about and which you in your heart feel others should care about. It is this genuine caring, not your games with language, which will be the most compelling and seductive element in your style.
~Stephen King
Out-of-the-Box Writing
In order to give our writing the gift of originality, we have to think out of the box. This goes for nonfiction writers as well as fiction novelists. Scanning the internet for ideas, which is how I work out-of-the-box and have brought you a writing tip weekly, is one way. Here are a few other ideas for you.
1. Write a poem.
While most thinking leans heavily on our brain’s logical centers, poetry neatly bridges our more rational left-brain though it also accesses our more creative right-brain. Though it may feel foolish (and getting comfortable with feeling foolish might be another way to think outside the box), try writing a poem about one of the characters in your story. The idea is to shift your thinking away from your brain’s logic centers and into a more creative part of the brain, where it promotes a non-rational way. Remember, nobody has to ever see your poem.
2. Draw a picture.
Drawing a picture is even more right-brained and can help break your logical left brain’s hold on reality the same way a poem can. Also, visualizing a scene engages other modes of thinking that we don’t normally use, bringing you another creative boost.
In previous newsletters I’ve suggested using prompts such as a sentence beginning with – I turned the corner and . . . . This often helps with writer’s block and allows your imagination to flow freely.
Here are a few places to search
for out-of-the-box writing prompts.
1. PS Literary Pinterest Board
This respected literary agency offers a kind public service to authors with its Writing Prompts Pinterest Board. The board offers an engaging mix of story setups, quotes, and visuals sure to get your creative juices stirring.
2. Writer Igniter
This nifty tool lets you shuffle a digital deck of characters, situations, props, and settings to get an eclectic mix of story elements that will demand your creativity to tie together.
3. If you’re looking for something more open-ended, log into Twitter and search for the hashtag #writingprompt. There are tons of writers just like you out there sharing their own style of 140-character prompts all the time. Just browse the feed until you catch that spark.
4. Terribleminds
If you prefer your writing prompts with an excess of attitude, check out author Chuck Wendig’s blog for his Flash Fiction Challenges.
Enjoy the process!
