A new group writing project – about people
No Comments »6th February, 2008; Category: Group writing projects
I love group writing projects.
Someone else comes up with an idea for writing something – it saves me straining that old grey matter. This time Robert over at Middle Zone Musings has done the hard work – he has thought up the topic. All we have to do is write the article suggested by his topic. Easy, smeasy, nice and …
Hang on.
I still have to write the article. Mmmm. There seems to be some flaw in my logic here. Too hard. Can’t think that through right now.
What I learned from…people
The latest Group Writing Project being run by Robert is called What I learned from… people. Click on the link to read all about it.
And if you come back here in a day or two, you might be able to read my contribution – if my brain is still working. I’d better get it into gear because the closing date is closing in fast – Feb 10th in fact.
Go to it.
Good writing.
Writing Prompt #3: An unexpected discovery
1 Comment »5th February, 2008; Category: Writing prompts
How is this for a great story (or novel) idea?
A Berlin burglar’s break-in took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon a corpse and felt compelled to call the police.
“He called to say he’d just broken into a flat and found a dead body,” a spokeswoman for Berlin police said.
“He gave the address of the place and then hung up.”
Officers discovered the 64-year-old resident of the flat dead in his bedroom.
The man had passed away about two weeks ago and authorities are not treating the death as suspicious.
The burglar has not been heard of since.
Local media said he fled the apartment empty-handed, but police could not confirm this.
I’m not into crime writing, so I don’t think I will use this story idea. Still – it has intriguing possibilities. So go to it – use the idea for your next short story, novel, play script, television series – whatever.
More unexpected discoveries:
Perhaps you could extend your thinking to other possibilities. Have you ever discovered something that surprised you?
Here are some more intriguing story ideas:
- You find a letter from many years ago reminding you of events or people long forgotten. Write about the repercussions of finding the letter which reveal things previously unknown.
- You find an item that had been lost but one that has great sentimental value. Write about the emotional reactions to this item.
- You go shopping and meet a long lost friend or relative who has just moved to your neighbourhood. What happens next?
- Cleaning out a little used drawer you discover a mysterious key. After experimentation you find it unlocks a cupboard that has remained locked for over thirty years because of the missing key. What you find inside changes everything.
Good writing.
More Short Story Starters
It has been quite a while since I posted a new list of my very popular short story starters. Quite a few people have written to me saying how useful these ideas have been. They consistently outrank every other type of article posted here on my blog.
Join in the fun.
Use any of the ideas in the list below, or go search through the archives (click on the link below).
Short Story Starters:
- Sarah grabbed at the door as it slammed shut. She missed. The sudden bang echoed down the hall. She….
- Tony groaned as the engine suddenly cut out. He…
- Ursula grinned. “That’s wonderful! When did this happen?” Her sister…
- Victor was stunned into silence. No-one had ever said that to him before. After what seemed like an eternity he…
- Wendy clasped the book to her chest. This little treasure was…
- Yolanda crept to the kitchen door, listening to the muffled voices. She stood still like an iron rod. The voices continued. She…
- Anthea knew better than that. She could have told…
- Ben struggled to his feet, brushed the dirt and twigs from his legs and groaned. He stared at the blood trickling…
- Cynthia did a little skip as she hurried to the letter box. Had that special letter arrived? She peered through…
- Danni slumped down on her bed. The glare from the window hurt her eyes. She…
Conditions of use:
- Feel free to use any of the story starters listed above. Change anything to suit your needs.
- Give it your best shot.
- Edit your work carefully before sending it off to a publisher or posting it on your blog.
- Let me know in the comments section how it went.
- If you publish your story on your web site or on your blog let me know so I can make a link to it for others to read.
Links:
- Short Story Starters – many more story ideas from my archives.
Writing Prompt #2: Happiness
3 Comments »3rd February, 2008; Category: Writing prompts
Here is a quick and easy writing prompt.
It can be used as a warm-up exercise to get your writing brain going in the morning, or when you don’t know what to write about.
Happiness
Write about happiness.
In a ten minute period, finish this line in as many ways as you can:
“Happiness is….”
Here are some examples to get you going:
- Happiness is smelling a beautiful rose.
- Happiness is seeing a beautiful sunset.
- Happiness is snuggling into a warm bed on a cold night.
- Happiness is a bowl full of strawberries and icecream.
- Happiness is…
Go to it.
Good writing.
Hint: Why not share a few of your sentences in the comments?
Write while the heat is in you
“Write while the heat is in you. The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with. He cannot inflame the minds of his audience.” Henry David Thoreau.
I have found that it is important to always carry a small notebook. There have been times when I have had a brilliant thought (or so it seemed at the time) only to forget it because I had not written it down immediately.
I usually carry a small notebook in my shirt pocket. This serves a number of general purposes as well as a help with my writing. Some of these uses include:
- To record a list of the birds I see (so I can write about them on my blog called Trevor’s Birding).
- To list any shopping I need to do.
- To list places I want to go.
- To write down story ideas.
- To list ideas for blog articles.
- To write short poems or haiku.
- To record the names and contact details of people I meet.
- To record feelings, ideas, experiences so I don’t forget those first impressions.
- To list things to do.
- To list things to remember.
When you have a good idea, write it down. Don’t trust it to memory.
Good writing.