Brainstorming

I must admit that today was a hard day to post because I was taking care of the two-year-old grandson and quite frankly that was a lot more fun that sitting at a computer and writing.  He arrived at 7:30 this morning and left around 6:30 p.m.  So it was after dinner that I finally had the time to sit down and write something.

However, this did not mean I didn’t take time to work on my writing during the day.  While he slept I did some research online.  One thing I came across was a list of magazines that accepted articles for publication.  This list was on the Writer Magazine website. 

It was fascinating, but I got to page six and was still in the A’s.  It was going to take more than a two-year-old’s afternoon nap to read this list.

Later I found a story about writing children’s books using the number three to assist in writing the story.  For example, give your character three problems; describe them in three different ways; create three different points of interest or problems for your character to overcome.  This was new to me.  One person responded that it was very helpful and so I thought why not?  The next time I start a children’s story I’ll think in threes and see how that goes.

Then another article I researched talked about new and creative ways to brainstorm ideas.  One example was new to me until last month.  Called “mind mapping” this technique helps one put on paper what you are thinking of writing.  I first heard about this at a Chattanooga Writers’ Guild workshop at Dalton State College in September.  Bruce Gaughran and Calvin Hayes led a class.  I was busy behind the scenes of the workshop and could not attend the class but talked to both men about it later and was fascinated by the idea of “mapping” out my thoughts. 

A third suggestion that I particularly liked was what I call a visioning board.  The idea is to cut out pictures, take pictures, clip articles, and collect objects that might inspire me to write about a subject or character.  I love a visioning board and although I do not have one I do so mentally.  I like to sit in a quiet place and think of what I want to write about; think of what my characters might be like; think of all the things I have in my mind ready to be put down on paper.  To place them on a board or on a map or outline makes them real and concrete.  I can say to myself: this is what I’m going to write about. 

I’d like to think I could just sit down and write about anything I wanted and do it right.  But writing isn’t that easy.  It takes concentration and dedication and commitment.  And although my commitment to my grandchildren outweighs my commitment to my writing, I feel good that I can do both; especially if I use some the brainstorming techniques I researched today.

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Writing Exercises

Articles that include prompts to writing exercises are not hard to find and they can be useful tools to writing.  For example, Writer’s Digest Magazine offers a “Daily Writing Prompt” while the Writer Magazine has a section on “Writing Prompts.

I wrote an essay responding to the prompt What’s in the Pocket?  which I found in one of those magazines.  That essay turned into a short story which I entered into a short story contest.  I didn’t win, but that’s beside the point.

The prompt gave me the idea to write the essay.  My writers group liked the essay praising me for experimenting with the writing exercise.  Then they encouraged me to expand on the story.  This resulted in a short story that I felt was good enough to enter into a contest.

The way I look at it, taking advantage of writing exercises such as the prompts in these magazines only expands my the craft of writing.  If it helps me to improve my writing, or inspires me to write when I can’t think of anything else to write, or if nothing else, forces me to sit for a while focused on the craft of writing then so be it.  I have only t to be a better writer to be gained.  I’ll accept that.

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