“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.

I rarely have this problem. In fact, I usually have far too many things to write about. My problem is choosing which one to write about first.

There are hidden treasures lurking everywhere. You just have to open your eyes to see the possibilities for writing that can crowd in upon you every day.

Start with everyday objects and let your imagination soar:

1. Make a list of twenty (or 50 or…) objects in your bedroom. Now think about one object and how it came into your life. Change this to a really bizarre story. For example, the photo on the dresser is not your mother; it is the photo of a distant relative who was married to a famous explorer or an infamous mass murderer.
2. Describe three objects in the room where you are sitting now. Now pick just one of them and imagine you dug it up in the garden. How did it get into your garden, and how is it now influencing your life?
3. Look in the refrigerator.  Take note of one thing and write about how it came to be there. Give it a life of its own, telling the story of it existence in its own voice.
4. Go outside and sit in the garden. Write about the one thing in your garden you really like (or absolutely detest). Write a conversation (or argument) between you and the object.
5. Walk to the nearest park with notebook and pencil. Describe one person you passed on the way. Note how they are dressed – and change their attire into something very usual, like a grandma wearing pirate clothing. Use you imagination and let her sit with you to tell her story.
6. Visit your nearest shopping center with a notebook and pen and find a seat. Pick out two people in the crowd. Try to imagine what they are saying. Give them new lives, new identities. Let them tell you their story.
7. Find an old  magazine or newspaper and open it at random, picking out a photo at random. Use the photo as a starting point to your story. For example, if it is a photo of a young man advertising deodorant, imagine him doing something adventurous, or heroic or courageous. Bring the photo – and the subject – to life.

Story ideas are lurking everywhere; you just have to have eyes to see them.

Good writing.

]]> http://www.trevorhampel.com/writing-about-hidden-treasures/feed/ 0 http://www.trevorhampel.com/writing-prompts-9/ http://www.trevorhampel.com/writing-prompts-9/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:12:44 +0000 Trevor http://www.trevorhampel.com/?p=947 Sometimes writers get stuck for ideas. This might just be a temporary blip on the radar screen. If it persists over a long period of time, the dreaded writer’s block might be the cause.

Whatever the situation, writers are left without ideas. This is where my very popular short story starters can help. Then we have this series of writing prompts to get you out of those writing ruts. Today I present the latest list of writing prompts.

Use these as writing warm up activities. Use them as jumping off points for stories, or magazine articles or even blog posts. Use them however you wish.

Twenty Writing Prompts

1. Write about a career you have always dreamed about.
2. Write a conversation between a cow and a blade of grass.
3. What is your favourite household appliance? Write about its life from the point of view of the appliance.
4. If you had a choice, where would you live and why?
5. Write a list of ten things you would never write about.
6. Write a list of menu items you would offer to an enemy who came into your restaurant.
7. Choose an item in the room. Describe it without saying what it is and from the object’s point of view.
8. Make a list of the ten greatest inventions ever.
9. Write five things you would never tell your children – or your parents.
10. You are alone in the house. Your cat/dog starts talking to you. Record your conversation.
11. Choose a colour. Write about how it would feel if everything in the world was that colour.
12. A stranger approaches you in an airport and asks for a thousand dollars. Record your conversation.
13. Describe boredom. Make your description exciting.
14. Assume that more ice creams are sold on Tuesdays. Write a short report on why this is so.
15. Take on the role of your editor. Write the most devastating rejection letter you can imagine.
16. What would you do if you could live for a thousand years? describe your life.
17. Make a list of ten things that the world would be better off without. (“Things” – not people!)
18. Describe the best party ever. Who would you invite? Where would you hold it? What would you have to eat?
19. Describe what you would do if you found an elephant in your garden.
20. Write down your thoughts about the most controversial current news item.

Further reading:

• Writing prompts – more in this series.
• Short story starters – heaps of ideas for getting that story started.

Nothing.

It’s a frustrating feeling, knowing that you have to get a story written in the next two days and off to meet the magazine deadline or competition due date, but you have no ideas. The sinking feeling in the stomach makes the sinking of the Titanic seem like a hole ridden rubber duck in bath tub.

Sound familiar?

It’s a common feeling with too many writers. That’s where I come in. My most popular posts on this blog by far are the series I’ve called Short Story Starters. This is how it works: I give the first line or sentence or two of a story – you use that to get you started and before you know it, you have 200, 500 or even a thousand words and it’s taking over. Wonderful. Problem solved. Use any of the ideas here, adapt them to your own ideas, style, voice – whatever.

Short Story Starters

1. “I’ve seen that face before.” Ken stared at the photo, trying to remember. That’s the thug who…
2. Loretta knew she had one chance left. The butterflies were already dancing and the stomach churning threatened a further disaster of epic proportions. She gripped the pole tighter and…
3. In the fog of trying to wake up Mickey was aware of someone else in his room. He tried to sit up but….
4. ‘Neil? Are you there Neil?’ The voice was persistent and tinged with anxiety. ‘Are you in there?’ The knocking grew louder and Neil knew he had to respond, somehow. He….
5. Paula had finished. With a smile of satisfaction she lightly brushed across her mouth with the back of her hand. ‘That was…
6. The setting sun lit the vineyards stretched out across the valley. Rob watched as the golden glow deepened. He reached for…
7. Susan hesitated. The door should have been locked. It gently swung open to reveal a…

Over to you. Time to get writing.

Good writing.

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.

Use them

I invite you to look through this latest list of short story starters. If anything grabs your imagination, run with it. Borrow my idea and use it for a short story (or even a novel).

Writer’s block

If you are suffering from the dreaded Writer’s Block, these ideas are the ideal way to write yourself out of that slump. Take one of the ideas and just write – anything that comes to mind. Don’t worry if it seems like rubbish. Just write – and soon the words will be flowing again.

New writers

If you are new to writing, here you will find some great ideas to get you going. Don’t worry too much about the technicalities of spelling, punctuation and grammar on your first, rough draft. You can go back over those things later, once you have the main bulk of the story written.

Here they are – more Short Story Starters:

1. As Alice rounded the corner she could hear the train coming. She…
2. Before I had a chance to fully grasp what was happening, Ben had whipped out his knife. Seconds later he…
3. Considering his past record, this latest move was sure to create a new round of controversy. Peter knew this, but he was adamant that he must go on. He…
4. ‘Don’t come in here!’ she shouted. ‘After what you’ve done I don’t want to see you again. Get lost.’
5. Even as I entered the room I could tell that she was not happy. She had that certain look that spoke volumes. I knew…
6. ‘Fine! You just go ahead and leave – tonight! Good riddance, I say. And don’t think I’ll come running after you.’
7. Getting over the party was the least of my worries. The cleanup could wait; that mess wasn’t going anywhere. I had to find George and explain. He was probably wondering…

Show – don’t tell

Notice that I start in the middle of the story. Many short stories start in the wrong place. Beginner writers tend to give far too much background detail and the real story starts part way through.

In the example above I have tried to get the action going immediately. Pages of background information is fine if you are writing a novel. Short stories are just that – short. They are tiny glimpses into one scene, two at most.

Beginner and inexperienced writers want to tell everything, going into the minutest of details and their short stories have nothing interesting happening in them. ‘Show – don’t tell’ is a mantra repeated endlessly by teachers of writing. Show the character’s motives through what she does. Show your character’s emotions through what he says (see example 6 above). Notice that I’ve broken my own rule in number 5 above. Sometimes telling is needed; you have to know the rules before you know when to break them.

Good writing.

For more short story starters click here.

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.

1. The screeching noise was definitely coming from outside. It made my hair stand on end. I opened the door and…
2. The scratching noise at the window was persistent. In a fog of sleepiness I opened my eyes and…
3. The rhythmic knocking next door was starting to get to the annoying level. It was now past midnight. What could be making….
4. It started around three in the morning I think, that low whining noise that I could not ignore.
5. The sudden crash woke me instantly. It was the kind of noise one just has to investigate. I was not prepared for what I found….
6. As I sat up in bed I was suddenly aware of footsteps on the staircase.
7. The floorboards above my head were creaking now. This was getting just a little too spooky for my liking. Then I realised that my room was on the top floor.

There you go. Mmmm… there seems to be a theme running though those suggestions.

Now get to that writing.

Good writing.

For more Short Story Starters click here.

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.

Short Story Starters

1. As the small plane skimmed the trees lining the road, Peter could hear the sound of the engine. All was not as it should have been. He….
2. ‘If you have one more drink tonight I’m outa here!’ Jessica glared at Tony. The raised glass was almost at his lips. He…
3. Janet slipped silently beneath the sheets. She could hear James snoring. Her guilt was suddenly dampened by relief. Had he…
4. Connor ripped open the envelope. No time now for finesse. He straightened out the letter and as he came to the end of the first line he gave….
5. Tanya paused before opening the door. This seemed to be a mistake but she couldn’t back out now. She….
6. If you take a right turn at the old church in Main Street you…
7. How anyone could have killed old Mrs. Wallis defied explanation. She was the sweetest, kindest and gentlest woman in the small village. All the villagers adored her – except one. Richard knew her dark secret. He…

You can find dozens more short story starters on other pages on the blog. Just click here to access them.

Good writing.

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.

Here is a list of some of the words:

fear, anxiety, enthusiasm, happiness, courage, joy, anger, excitement, despair, sadness

This is what I wrote:

James could hardly wait for Saturday. He was jumping out of his skin. “When will it be Saturday?” he asked for about the tenth time. “Tomorrow,” said his mother patiently.
James raced to his room. He checked his money box again. He counted the coins over and over. He was ready for the Agricultural Show.

He couldn’t wait to go on the rides. He wanted to see the animals; the cows, the horses, the dogs and the cats – even the ducks, especially the ducks. He thought of the icecreams and lolly-pops and fairy floss. He could just taste it melting in his mouth. He thought of the colours and the sounds, the smells, the crowds and the clowns. He wanted to see the machines and the cars, the ferris wheel and the tents.

At that point we were asked to stop; and I was just getting warmed up!

Can you work out the word I was given?

Enthusiasm. When I was asked to read it out aloud I also read it with a great deal of enthusiasm.

Your turn:

As a warm up writing exercise, choose one of the emotion words I listed above. Write about it for five to ten minutes. It does not have to be a story, nor does it have to be for children. Just write.

This may be just an exercise but do not throw it away. File it carefully; you never know when it may become useful for a story or an article.

Good writing.

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:

1. Sarah grabbed at the door as it slammed shut. She missed. The sudden bang echoed down the hall. She….
2. Tony groaned as the engine suddenly cut out. He…
3. Ursula grinned. “That’s wonderful! When did this happen?” Her sister…
4. Victor was stunned into silence. No-one had ever said that to him before. After what seemed like an eternity he…
5. Wendy clasped the book to her chest. This little treasure was…
6. Yolanda crept to the kitchen door, listening to the muffled voices. She stood still like an iron rod. The voices continued. She…
7. Anthea knew better than that. She could have told…
8. Ben struggled to his feet, brushed the dirt and twigs from his legs and groaned. He stared at the blood trickling…
9. Cynthia did a little skip as she hurried to the letter box. Had that special letter arrived? She peered through…
10. 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.

Over the last year or so I have been posting a series of Short Story Starters on this blog. These are designed to help struggling writers with ideas. Many readers have found these to be most helpful. Today I will take a different approach. I will give you one way of developing your own story starters.

Alphabetical list

On your screen (or on a piece of paper) make an alphabetical list down the left hand side of the paper. Just write the letters A, B, C, D, E, F and so on. Ten or a dozen will do. You can start at any letter.

Now alongside each letter write the name of a person starting with that letter. For example: Alice, Ben Colin, Denise, Eric, Fiona, Gary and so on.

After each name write about that person. Quickly. Don’t stop to think. Just quickly imagine them in your mind. Write down two or three sentences about that person. No editing at this stage; just write.

Expand your ideas

When you’ve written about each person leave your list for 24 or 48 hours.

Come back to your writing with fresh eyes. Still don’t edit. Choose one that you like. Write another five to ten sentences about that person. Start asking “What happens to this character next?” Your new story is off and running. Keep on developing it.

Some examples:

Alice was always scared of mice. She freely admitted it. Terrified.

Ben could contain his anger no more. “Enough!” He took a deep breath and then calmly explained the process once more.

Colin knew it was going to be a rough day. The wind was already picking up and it wasn’t even eight o’clock.

Denise stopped. Unsure of where she was she looked around for help.

Eric started whistling as he left the building. This was so startling that he stood still, listened to the sparrows chirping nearby, smiled, and started whistling again as he headed for the railway station.

Fiona smiled shyly. She was not accustomed to being praised like this. She felt her face turning red.

Gary spluttered. Had he heard correctly? His obnoxious boss was moving to another company? His attention was now riveted on the speaker at the front of the room.

Developing the idea

I’m going to choose one of the above to expand further:

Colin knew it was going to be a rough day. The wind was already picking up and it wasn’t even eight o’clock. As he rounded to corner of the shed the hot air blasted his face. Already he was sweating and he felt his pulse quicken a little. The sun, already high in the sky, was a glaring orb of fire that seemed to reach right down and touch his face. He entered the Country Fire Service building with a sense of terrible foreboding.

Okay – so that is not brilliant writing and is full of cliches. I can fix that in the editing stage. All I’m interested in at this point is to get the storyline moving, to develop the plot and to flesh out the characters. Time to introduce some other characters and some action.

Now over to you.

Make your list of names, set the scene and off you go.

Good writing.