Who’s watching you from the outside?

Republished from Nooks & Cranberries, September 2010.

Some people find objects in the clouds. Your character searches for them in shadows. What does he see here, and why does it frighten him?

Republished from Nooks & Cranberries, September 2010.

What ostensibly insignificant details in your characters’ home might be worth mentioning?

(Click here to learn about Photo Week)

What haven’t you noticed in the world around you, or in the world of your story?

Look outside your window, the one you’re sitting closest to right now. Spend ten minutes freewriting, jotting down whatever comes to mind. Now that you’re warmed up, it’s time to get to work on your current project (maybe the one from Saturday). See if you can write 1,667 words again today.

Perched high above a city street, what does this bird observe below?

Use this prompt as an exercise to open up your imagination, using it to envision a place and what’s happening there in detail–without actually seeing it.

Who hasn’t been enchanted by a story about a secret garden or a hidden retreat? Today your character sees a hidden door–and it’s ajar! What does it look like? Does its appearance keep him away or repel him? Write a scene beginning at the moment when he finds the door.

After a long, international flight, your jet lagged character arrives in her hotel room. Too exhausted to even take off her shoes, she slouches into a chair and stares out the window. What’s going through her mind as she looks at the sights outside?

Place your character in a new setting, using her observations of signs to show the reader where she is.

Despite your first impression, these aren’t dog prints. They’re cat prints. What part of your world do you need to look at more closely?

Stretch your ability to describe visual appearances today. Using the photo above–or any other photo with contrasting textures and colors–spend 10 minutes freewriting about the temperatures, moods, and emotions their appearance brings to mind. Don’t worry about it making sense or sounding great–just write! When you’re done, set it aside for a while. Revisit it tomorrow with fresh eyes. Do you like the sound of any phrases or descriptions you came up with? Share them here in the comment section.