just write – Page 10 – The Write Spot

In Escaping into the Open, The Art of Writing True, Elizabeth Berg (one of my favorite authors) writes:

Whenever people ask me where I get my material, I am genuinely befuddled. “Well . . . from life!” is what I usually say. . . . each of us, no matter who we are or what we do, is offered potential story ideas daily. The people we know, the things that happen to them and us, the random scenes we witness and the conversations we overhear — all of these things are rich with raw material; all of them are capable of serving as a vehicle or springboard for a good story, in one way or another. We need only be aware. We need only be awake, and curious, and willing to share.

Note from Marlene: Last night in the Jumpstart writing workshop that I facilitate, this very thing happened. I took a real life experience, wrote it in the third person, changed a few facts and ta-da . . . a freewrite based on a true experience.

Your turn: Start with something that really happened and write about it. Just write.
Set your timer for 12 minutes. Start by writing “It happened because” . . . then write for 12 minutes without stopping.

No thinking. No crossing out words. Just write.

It happened because . . .
Writing Prompt: If only . . .

Set your timer for 12 minutes and write “If only” . . . . and keep writing.

Prompt #68 – If only . . .
“If you want to write about a ‘broken heart,’ it’s good to know what a broken heart feels like. I also believe you need to take the time and not rush things, keep it playful . . . and listen to the world around [you].”
— Jörgen Elofsson

Jörgen Elofsson, songwriter for Kelly Clarkson, excerpt from the May 2014 issue of The Writer Magazine.
Today’s prompt is inspired from the May 2014 issue of The Writer magazine.

Write about a character (real or fictional) surrounded by music. What instruments? What songs? Describe the soundtrack to the character’s story. How does music affect his or her actions, and what role does it play in the narrative?

More from this issue:

“Write the way people actually talk. You can use imagery and be poetic, of course, but the best lyrics sound like something people might actually say.” — Murray Horwitz, co-writer of the musical Ain’t Misbehavin’
Want to write books for children or young adults? Here are some ideas for you.

Excerpted from “Child’s Play,” Yvonne Coppard and Linda Newberry, March 2014 issue of The Writer Magazine.

An author must find his or her own voice and style and use them to express concerns that are passionately felt and imagined. Good writing for children has the same qualities as good writing for any age group: What stands out is authority, the confidence to be what it is. It tells the reader that the journey will be worthwhile. To write well, an author must have an ear for rhythm, control of pace and awareness of what drives a story and engages a reader.

The author needs the knack of evoking universal experiences from the particular, inviting the reader to share the trials and triumphs of the viewpoint character. There are no right ways to do this, and no wrong ways, either. What it takes is the commitment to live in the world of your imagination and the skill and persuasiveness to take young readers with you.

Click here for information about: Writing Children’s Fiction: A Writers’ and Artists’ Companion (Writers’ and Artists’ Companions) by Yvonne Coppard and Linda Newberry

For practice with this kind of writing: Write about a game you played as a child – Prompt #32, or An imaginary gift – Prompt #35 or an imaginary party – Prompt #64.

Set your time for 12 minutes. Now, write. Just write.
Imagine. . . . You receive an invitation to a party.

You are invited to dress as a character according to the book you are currently writing or reading.

OR, you are invited to the type of party you’ve always wanted to be invited to . . .1950s cocktail? 1880’s garden party? Costume party? Bon voyage party?

Options:

~Write about the invitation you received.

~Your thoughts, or your fictional character’s thoughts, as you or he/she anticipate the party.

~Write about a party you have attended.

~Write about a party you would like to give or attend.

Prompt: Imagine you are invited to a party . . .
Today’s prompt: Standing in a doorway . . .

Photo by Jim C. March
The following is an excerpt from “When every letter counts,” by Kevin Cullen (no relation to me that I know of). — March 2014 issue of The Writer Magazine.

Kevin writes:

I have been in the newspaper game for more than 30 years, which qualifies me as a card-carrying old fart.

I have tried to embrace new technologies and platforms pushed upon us by enthusiastic, young tech geeks who talk about Facebook and Twitter with the zeal of evangelicals. Online is where it’s at, even though we still make most of our money from the dead tree version.

But what has all this meant for writing? Because, let’s face it, the biggest advantage all forms of written journalism have over the immediacy of TV and radio is the ability to deliver depth and strong, evocative writing.

Writing short and writing long require different disciplines. It’s the differences between writing a poem and writing a short story. When you tweet, every letter counts. When you write for the web, enjoy the freedom.

Note from Marlene: Ideas for strong and evocative writing posted on The Write Spot Blog. Click on titles below for inspiration for strong and evocative writing.

Crafting scenes a reader can see — and sense

Watershed Moment Prompt #57

The Power of Place

Essence of You Prompt #45

What to do? Just write!
Sit back, relax. Take a few deep breaths. Relax into your breathing.

Think about rooms from your childhood. Let your mind wander around various rooms:

Your bedroom

Your parents’ bedroom

Your grandparents’ bedroom

The room where you ate your meals . . . kitchen or dining room

Your grandparents’ dining room.

Here’s an excerpt from Lynn Henriksen‘s book, Give The Gift of Story, TellTale Souls’ Essential Guide*, page 58, excerpt written by Robin.

Jamie and I would crawl into our cozy little bed between the softest apple-green sheets that matched the apple-green carpet and the apple-green walls. We took turns as to who had to be squished against the wall and who was to be on the outside nearest Grandma. We always took turns with everything at Grandma’s house, I figure that’s how she kept the peace.

Now, settle into a room from your childhood. Look around. Really look around. Start from the doorway and move around the room. . . write about what you see, what you remember. Include color, smell, texture. What did this room feel like? Who decorated this room? What influenced the decorator?

Prompt: Write about a room from your childhood.

* Give The Gift of Story, TellTale Souls’ Essential Guide is now out of print. Lynn’s latest book, the “new and improved model,” as she writes, TellTale Souls Writing the Mother Memoir: How to Tap Memory and Write Your Story Capturing Character & Spirit is available at Amazon and Book Passage in Corte Madera, California.