What are your favorite writing exercises?
By queenbean
@queenbean (97)
United States
May 19, 2007 5:23pm CST
I recently heard of a writing exercise where you write the first sentence to a story, but that first sentence has to bring the reader right into the middle of the action. For example: "She knew that she had to jump off that bridge if she wanted to show them how serious she was."
I love that exercise. What other writing exercises do you enjoy?
3 responses
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
19 May 07
As a copy writer, I like headlines that kind of grip the reader's attention and pull him or her into the first lines without a chance of escape... Headlines for:
Money Making Opportunities:
1. "You Will Want Your In-Laws To Stay All Week!!!"
2. "B-Slap Poverty!!!"
3. "My Wife Actually Likes Me Again!!!"
Culinary Schools:
1. "Stop Looking Around For The Family Pet When You Sit Down To Dinner!"
2. "You'll Recognise Those Little People That Are Eating With You, As Your Children!"
3. "Finally Give Up Your Fake " I'm Dieting" Routine!"
I like the "slushpile" method of writing... I scribble stuff on sheets of paper, and then crush 'em into little balls... this eventually forms a pile, and when I go to toss it, sometimes I'll unravel some of those scribblings and discover "Genius!", pure, profitable, "Genius!" LOL!
This discussion is fun for writers of all kinds, you should get some great responses! :)
Tube Zoom for you:
http://www.tubezoom.com
Enjoy! :)
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
19 May 07
PS... While Tube Zoom is updating, try:
http://www.peekvid.com for free movies and TV shows!
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
19 May 07
I write for a living and I also like to treasure hunt, for resources like paper... nothing is wasted. the paper that I use comes from the dustbins at the university in my area... I have enough computer paper to build a small town, should I choose to do so! :)
There are some really good writers here that will check this discussion for responses, you'll have plenty of advice for your talents...
I wish you well with your website content! :)
@queenbean (97)
• United States
19 May 07
Oooh, I don't think I could do the slushpile thing -- I'm too paranoid about wasting paper. :-P But the headline thing sounds like a good idea, especially since I'm currently writing articles for a website -- I'll have to try that.
@jakester519 (355)
•
19 May 07
I have recently replied to an exercise that had you look at a picture in your home and write a short story based on it. I found this absolutely fantastic and so much fun to do, in fact I have tried it with more than the original picture. maybe you could try that one and see how you get on with it.
All the best with your writing.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
19 May 07
One exercise another mylot user just shared was finding pictures in your house, on the internet, etc..and write a short story about the picture. I really liked this iead and I am going to try it.
Another thing I do is when I come up with a story idea I'd like to write, I think about all the characters and describe them in detail. And I will write down notes about things that can happen through out the show, and things to think about for it. I'm not sure if that really counts as a writing exercise but it helps me :)
