How to use Daily Writers’ Fix
Monday:
Sight
What haven’t you noticed in the world around you, or in the world of your story?
Tuesday:
Smell
“Rose” is a common scent descriptor, but what does a rose really smell like? Today pick an object that’s commonly used to describe a scent, then give that object its due.
Wednesday:
Sound
Today write about home. Write about your own home–from childhood or present–or where your character lives. Is it a quiet, peaceful place providing an escape from the busyness of daily life? Or do the sounds of the city–traffic, people, sirens–filter through the windows, filling it with urban energy?
Thursday:
Touch
What is your character afraid of? How does that fear physically manifest itself when she’s facing it? If she’s afraid of heights, does she grip the Ferris wheel seat for dear life until her knuckles turn white? If he’s afraid of spiders, does the sight of one send crawling feelings up his arms as if he were covered in them? What does your character fear, and what do the reactions say about him or her?
Friday:
Taste
What’s on your character’s breakfast table this morning–steaming hot coffee, orange juice and a muffin, or scrambled eggs with bacon and a Bloody Mary? The way we start our day can say a lot about us and how we view the world. Get to know your character today by getting into his thoughts while he goes about his morning routine.
Grab Bag:
The setting of your story shouldn’t be an afterthought. Done well, a setting can almost be a character, helping to propel the story forward and add richness and depth to your plot. Today consider one of your primary settings. Describe it in detail, from its landmarks to its hidden corners, from its physical appearance to the general attitudes of its population. Now review your descriptions and see how your setting can work its way into your story in fresh, exciting ways.
Grab Bag Bonus:
We’ve all been caught in an unflattering pose or expression at some point or another, right? Use that embarrassing moment in your writing today.
