We all have to get somewhere somehow. What is your character’s usual mode of transportation? What does it say about him? As we’ve mentioned before, make every detail–even something as simple as how he gets to work–count.
Daily Writers’ Fix: Grab Bag
Daily Writers’ Fix: Grab Bag
Look just beyond the surface of your story. Is there a recurring theme you hadn’t noticed before? What about a hidden motivation you never knew your character had? Can you use your discoveries to your story’s advantage?
Daily Writers’ Fix: Taste
You’re eating at a restaurant on Santorini–or any other Greek island–and admiring a remarkable view. Describe what you’re eating and drinking, the climate, your surroundings, who you’re with, and what’s going through your mind.
Daily Writers’ Fix: Touch
There’s no snow in sight–yet. So if you’re writing a scene that takes place outside in the winter, you have to imagine. Today describe the feelings of winter, from the sting of sleet on your exposed skin to to the feeling of a snowball sticking to your mittens. Make a list if you wish, or develop your descriptions into a scene or a poem.
Daily Writers’ Fix: Sound
Take your main character on a road trip. What’s on his or her playlist?
Daily Writers’ Fix: Smell
Who used to live here, who will live here in the future? Tell this house’s story, letting the sense of smell guide the reader. Do you smell simmering soup from happy days gone by, fresh flowers gracing the entrance and welcoming guests at a party? What about fresh, tropical air flooding through the rooms when a new owner takes possession and opens it up?
Daily Writers’ Fix: Sight
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.
Daily Writers’ Fix: Grab Bag
Do you keep a journal? Sitting down with paper–perhaps in the form of a nicely-bound book–and a pen can be a great way to unwind, relax, and clear one’s head. Today give yourself time to reflect and write a journal entry. It’s for your eyes only, so don’t get caught up in writing well. Just write.
If you don’t know where to start, use one of these prompts:
- Your most vivid memories from this past summer
- An amazing meal you ate recently, and who you shared it with
- What you’re hoping the upcoming holiday season will be like (and what you can do to make it happen)
- Your childhood career aspirations and how they resemble or differ from what you do now
- What you like or dislike about your neighborhood
- Your favorite place in the world
Daily Writers’ Fix: Grab Bag
Today, in honor of National Novel Writing Month, challenge yourself to write 1,667 words–the daily average to meet the NaNoWriMo goal–whether you’re participating or not. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a short story draft or a journal entry, or perhaps 1,667 words of freewriting. Just let the words flow.
Suggestion: If you have a writing project or assignment you’re procrastinating on, consider using today to kick it into gear.
