Hello, Sorry if there's already a thread like this- I checked but didn't find one. I've been trying to get into writing after writing very little the last several years. Recently, I've been starting to get into a daily writing habit. It's been pretty successful so far (in that I've been able to keep it up) but I know the biggest struggle day-to-day will be what to write. I'm not really comfortable enough for a big project right now. I've been playing around with practicing short stories/flash fiction, but I want to make sure I'm really focused on improving my skills in general. All that said, my question is simple. Do you all have favorite writing exercises? Whether for warmup, or just study? Or do you just find yourself working on projects and learning as you go?
These days, when it's time to write, I just start writing. (Not that it's always that easy, of course.) Years ago, though, I used to start with an exorcise to get going. Depending on my mood, I'd either write haiku or do some stream of consciousness writing. It usually produced untenable crap, but it got the creative whatever flowing.
I've been a "when the moment strikes" kind of writer most of my time as one who writes, but lately I've wanted to be better. Or better to my personal goals. I liken it to my brother's drawing. He practices daily doing shapes and flowers and all sorts of things, and it struck me that writing can be approached the same way. I used to give daily writing prompts on an old forum and I think it might be a good idea to get into something like that for myself now. Edit: I keep saying I want to write more short stories to practice brevity without losing quality, but the last few stories I've attempted have turned into small novels. So, practice is how the day is won eventually. Just not this day.
Ooh, I like haiku as an approach. I think I might try that for myself! Nice and short, but is good for both tapping into creativity, and focusing on editing/structure.
Do you think the short story issue has to do with struggling to keep things concise? Or do you find the stories are just kind of blooming out into something more?
I like writing from images. photos, illustrations... i'll try to write something from those. I went to an art exhibit back in April, and the featured artist really inspired me. so I bought a book of her artwork and had planned to write a story for each of the paintings in the book. I havent done it yet (my manuscript edits took top real estate in my brain). But, if I ever get stuck or dont know what to write, thats one of the things i'll do
That's a great idea. Do you find you gravitate towards certain types of images? Do you go looking for images to use, or do you just file them away if you happen to come across them?
whichever speaks to me. lol, last night, i'd had a glass or two of wine and was scrolling through facebook. I came across some character artwork. I have no idea who the characters are or what show they came from (or even if they are from a show). but i suddenly got the inspiration to tell their "story." so thats one example of artwork/inspo the artist i mentioned in my first response was mainly surrealism.
I do a lot of freewriting and what I call 'writing about my stories' before I write them, where I just work out and develop ideas etc. Sometimes a freewrite turns into a short story.
