Sandbox Challenge #14: Get Creative with Lists

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