When you’re having trouble keeping your writing flowing, lists can help you get unstuck. Lists can also be a good starting point for a new piece.
Here’s today’s challenge:
Use a list to define a character, write a scene, describe a situation, whatever you can think of—get creative!
Here are some examples to jumpstart your muse:
Lists that help define a character:
- things he/she keeps in a purse, wallet, pocket, drawer, desktop, kitchen cabinet, refrigerator…
- collections of CDs, movies, books, toys…
- jobs the character has held, has been fired from, has tried unsuccessfully to be hired for…
Lists that help define the relationships of two or more characters:
- items in a room or other space they both/all inhabit, such as coworkers’ shared office space, a couple’s bedroom, roommates’ kitchen…
- issues the characters have fought about
- significant moments the characters have shared
- emotions the characters feel when they look at each other
Lists that create a scene:
- items the characters can see
- events that took place in the location
- moods the location evokes at different times of day/night/year
These are just a few ideas—use them or come up with your own. As always, I’d love to see any list you feel like sharing in the comments section!
Copyright @ Sandy Ackers, Strangling My Muse: Struggling to Live a Creative Life in a Stressful World, http://www.stranglingmymuse.com
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