Writing prompt: what happened?
No Comments »20th February, 2013; Category: Fiction, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, Writing prompts
Cafe in Rabat, Morocco
While wandering through the streets of Rabat in Morocco we happened upon this lovely looking cafe.
Not a single customer despite the establishment being open at the time, and with a wonderful view over the river estuary and the Atlantic Ocean.
I wonder what happened?
Writing prompt: let your imagination run wild with the possibilities. What happened to all of the customers? Is there any significance in all of the furniture being painted blue?
Good writing.
Musician, Rabat, Morocco
No Comments »6th February, 2013; Category: Fiction, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, Writing prompts
Musician in the Kasbah des Oudaias, Rabat, Morocco
On our visit to Rabat, the capital city of Morocco, we were exploring the Kasbah des Oudaias with its twisting lanes and narrow streets when we came across this musician. He was singing while playing his three-stringed lute – I think it’s called a guinbri or santir and is common and popular throughout western Africa.
Writing prompt:
- Who is this man?
- Why is he singing in public?
- What is his background story?
When I am faced with writing a short story based on an image or photograph or something I’ve seen, I start with the person’s name. I don’t know the name of the man in the photo, so I will have to make one up. I try to be authentic to the setting. I ask a few questions, like those above. Other questions like “what is he doing – and why?” often start a stream of ideas.
I let the story take over, directing my thoughts and just getting down the words as they come.
If the character takes over the narrative and demands to have her story told, that’s exciting. Just go with the flow. Get the words down quickly; editing and rewriting come later.
Good writing.
Writing prompt – what’s behind the window?
No Comments »3rd February, 2013; Category: Fiction, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, The Writer's Life, Writing prompts
Windows in the Kasbah des Oudaias, Rabat, Morocco
On our visit to the Rabat, the capital of Morocco, my attention was grabbed by this intriguing, yet, beautiful, set of windows in the Kasbah des Oudaias.
The writer in me started wondering: what’s behind the windows?
Who lives here? What are the stories of the people living here?
If the windows could tell, what stories would they weave.
This quaint, simple scene is evocative of the mysterious, magical Morocco we experienced throughout our tour.
Could this be the setting for a poem?
A short story?
A murder mystery – or a tearful romance?
Good writing.
Writing from life’s experiences
No Comments »29th December, 2010; Category: Quotes, Short Story Starters, The Writer's Life, Writing Hints
“When a writer is born into a family, that family is doomed.” Czeslaw Milosz
Write what you know.
Generally that is good advice, especially for writers starting out on their writing journey. Draw on your life experiences and use those in your writing. Your life is what you know best, so it’s a good place to start. A big part of those experiences revolve around your immediate family, so write about them and draw on their experiences too. In your formative years as a writer, especially when you are young, this might be all you have to draw on for your inspiration.
I know that my early stories and novels I drew heavily upon my own experiences and those of my family. Much of this early writing may never see publication; it is part of your apprenticeship in the craft of writing.
As I developed my writing skills I was able to cast a wider net. Now I find I am able to let my imagination soar and take over more and more. I am now less reliant on personal experiences and more on imagination.
Writing exercises:
To help you develop your writing skills, try one or more of these ideas:
- Start writing a journal about your every day activities.
- Write a page or so about your favourite toy.
- Describe the place you went for a holiday when you were young.
- What happened on a camping trip when you were still at school.
- Think about your least favourite relative; describe why you don’t like that person.
- Write about the events leading up to an accident or tragedy in your family or friendship group.
- Write about your favourite teacher at school.
Good writing.