Part Two:
I’m continuing today on what I consider to be a topic of
utmost importance to writers.
Writing exercises can stimulate us mentally in our efforts
to cope with writer’s block. I’m offering some suggestions that may prove
helpful.
Memory writing is a useful resource. You don't have to be
famous to write an autobiography. However,
many well-known writers have used memories effectively in their writing. Some
examples are:
JAMES JOYCE--A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN
TRUMAN CAPOTE--A CHRISTMAS MEMORY
EUGENE O'NEILL--LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT
Here's a writing exercise guaranteed to produce results:
WRITE THE FOLLOWING:
1. YOUR FIRST MEMORY.
2. YOUR BEST MEMORY OR A GOOD MEMORY.
3. YOUR WORST MEMORY OR A BAD MEMORY.
DESCRIBE IN DETAIL. TRY TO RECREATE EACH MEMORY SO THAT SOMEONE
ELSE CAN EXPERIENCE IT.
Another suggestion: keep a journal or diary. This kind
of writing provides a sense of immediacy. We can capture feelings and
impressions that might otherwise be lost. This can serve as excellent material
for future work.
From Biblical times,
dreams have been thought to be prophetic. Freud certainly found much to
analyze. Keep a notebook and pen beside your bed. When waking after a
particularly vivid dream, describe it in as much detail as possible.
There's an old saying that a picture is worth a thousand
words. A good picture is worth at least that and probably a lot more.
Inspiration for writers can come not only from reading newspaper and magazine
articles but also from looking at the photos. Interesting photographs are all
around us and are worth saving as a resource.
There are many ways to improve your skill or writing
technique. If, for instance, you have trouble creating good descriptive
passages, try doing some sense imagery exercises.
(a) Select a piece of fruit like a
lemon or orange. Describe in writing what it looks like: color, shape, etc.
Hold it in your hand. Describe the feel or texture of the fruit. Cut the fruit
in half. Now describe the smell and
taste.
(b) Music and sound can create
mood and stimulate writing. Try writing stream-of-consciousness technique while
listening to music. Play three different types of instrumental music for at
least ten minutes. Pause between each. Possible musical choices: classical, jazz, rock.
Whenever possible, read magazine and newspaper articles and
clip those you find of particular interest. You can obtain many ideas and
inspiration for your own writing from them. Local weeklies are throwaways used
to push advertising. However, they also report local news. Sometimes these
journalistic article can spark fiction ideas. For instance, a political fight between the
police chief and the mayor of the town I lived in for many years which got out of hand made a
fascinating backdrop for my mystery novel THE BAD WIFE. Of course, I
fictionalized it.
Be curious, interested in the world around you, and you
can't help but find inspiration and new ideas for your writing. Writer’s block
is only temporary. Most important, never give up, not if writing is what you
really want to do. Publishing success will come if you keep perfecting your
craft.
Comments welcome!
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