August already? No wonder I’m seeing ads for back-to-school shopping. Here I was thinking that the advertisers were really jumping the gun. Hard to believe that, in spite of everything, this year seems to be moving along at top speed.
I’m still working on my new online course, Your Novel: From Idea to Outline. All of the modules are drafted. Now, I have the visuals/videos to work on, during which, I’m sure I’ll find content that I want to fine tune. I’m enjoying working on this project a lot. I’ve added another project into the mix just for fun–a romance idea that may turn out as a screenplay or a book. Early days. I’ve had a great time using Plottr to create my outline. Check it out if you’re a plotter and not a pantser. (No, I’m not an affiliate.) I also have two more short stories that I need to finish before I get a new book of short romance stories ready to publish.
I spent several months this year feeling like I would never write anything – again – ever. I was brain dead, lacking energy or drive–basically a lump of uncreative blah. Now, I seem to have finally climbed out of the pit. If it can happen for me, it can happen for you. In my case, writing for others has been the best stimulus. I tried keeping a journal–writing just for me–but it just didn’t happen. Once I decided that people could use a course about creating a novel outline, and the more I thought about what they might need to help them, the more I was inspired to write. As for the romance stories, who doesn’t need some kind of escape with a happy ending right now? If you’re climbing out of a slump, think about who needs to hear your story? Who will be happier, wiser, or inspired because of your words. Try thinking in those terms and see what happens. I wish you all good things.
If you need some inspiration, I hope one of the following writing prompts will help you tell your story.
Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to write a story or poem.
- time, green, story, fight, escape, fear
- blue, weather, danger, shelter, below, black
- yellow, summer, grass, picnic, envy, quarrel, loss
- child, play, mystery, voice, imaginary, umbrella, rain
- night, stars, planes, attack, beach, tunnel
Here are some opening sentences that you might use to start a story.
- Where were you last night?
- I found it on my way home. Can I keep it? Please?
- This was one awkward time to find out that time travel really worked.
- The sun glinted off his sword as he pulled it from its scabbard.
- I have no choice. I’m leaving now.
- It’s too much. We can’t keep going like this.
- I was all ready to sit down and relax when the call came.
- The boat sails at 3. Don’t be late.
- I don’t understand why they keep dying.
- Helen has changed so much.
- Do you think that Henry’s behind all this?
- Shadows. They shouldn’t be moving.
Here are some dialogue excerpts that might inspire a story or a scene.
What broke?
That old vase.
Well, why haven’t you picked up the pieces.
There was something inside.
I don’t want to play.
That’s because you always lose.
No, it’s because you always cheat.
Have you seen Helen today?
No. Why?
We were supposed to meet at 10. She didn’t show, and she’s not answering her phone.
That’s not good.
Why?
She was going to meet someone else at 9.
I’m not going in there.
Why not?
Spiders.
But I thought you were going to get engaged.
Yes, about that.
What’s that music?
What music?
Can’t you hear it?
No.
Well, I do. And I’m going to find out where it’s coming from.
Henry likes you.
Well, he should after all this time.
I mean, he really likes you.
Oh. That could complicate things.
Some questions for your story and characters.
- How could you change the weather to add a problem to your story? What would a thunderstorm do to your story right now?
- How does your character react to someone being rude?
- Speeding tickets always happen at the wrong time. What happens if your character gets caught speeding?
- What is your character’s most treasured item?
- Whom would your character risk everything to protect?
Wishing you a writerly August
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