A Writing Exercise

The beginnings of a story, poem or any piece of writing, can come from anywhere.  Consciously and subconsciously, a writer sees, hears and tucks away bits and pieces of inspiration, anything that might kick-start the next big idea.

Here's a simple writing exercise I sometimes use to get started.
   

Choose one noun, one verb and one adjective.  Link them together in a simple sentence.  Then link the sentences one after another until something forms. Here's one of mine.

The dog barked loudly.

The dog barked loudly, straining at the chain attached to the collar around his neck.

The chain attached to the collar around his neck was necessary so he wouldn’t stray into the next yard over and get into Mr. McGillicutty’s prize rose bushes again.

Mr. McGillicutty’s prize rose bushes, carefully planted in masses of deep reds and brilliant pinks, were his pride and joy.

They were his pride and joy because every year he entered them in the annual Flower Show, where his roses consistently won high awards for being the largest, most beautiful blooms.

They were the largest, most beautiful blooms because the soil they grew in was well fertilized because the dog from the yard over liked to “do his business” in Mr. McGillicutty’s rose beds.

Which is why the dog was straining at the chain attached to the collar around his neck.

The dog barked loudly.

So, now I write the story.  What kind of dog is it?  A large, intimidating German Shepard or a short-legged, long-eared Bassett Hound? And who is Mr. McGillicutty?  Someone I know?  Someone random I may have passed on the street whose face stuck in my mind?  Or perhaps Mr. McGillicutty really was the name we called the neighbor man who lived across the street when my children were young.  I haven't thought about him in years, but he popped into my head when I began writing this exercise. 

You try it.  And share in the comments if you'd like to.
 

Where will your next story idea come from?



 Thanks for visiting! 

Brenda  :)

A Million Little Ways

On any given day, we can all use some encouragement.  Something that inspires us to look at things in a more positive way, to find the good in our lives instead of only what's difficult and taxes our spirit.  Lack of time, low energy, too many demands on us in our daily lives, can all do more to stifle the creative spirit than using a full bucket of water to put out a single candle.  We tend to make more time for others and put their needs ahead of our own.  And when we do find a few spare moments to ourselves, we're sometimes too tired or physically or emotionally drained to get much real value from the opportunity.

I've been a regular visitor to the blog http://www.chattingatthesky.com by Emily P. Freeman for some time.  Emily is such a talented writer.  She has a warm, down-to-earth writing style that's more like she's speaking directly to you instead of just sharing her written words on a computer screen.  She shares personal experiences we can all relate to and draws you in with her compassion and caring, which quite honestly, shines through in her writings. 

Emily's third book, A Million Little Ways, has just been released and is available for purchase.  I've already downloaded it and would encourage you to as well.  Her words will inspire you to look inside yourself to "uncover the art you were made to live." 

Follow this link to see an inspiring and encouraging video promoting A Million Little Ways. 

http://www.chattingatthesky.com/a-million-little-ways

Thanks for visiting!

Brenda  :)

 

My Book – 288 Chances

All we have is time, right?  I wish that were true, but unfortunately, it isn’t.  Every day is a gift.  Every new 24-hours is another chance all of us are given to do with and fill with whatever we choose.  We can fill it with family and friends, spend time on a favorite hobby or activity, or spend quiet time alone recharging our batteries and reenergizing for everything that our busy daily lives demand.

It’s important to find ways to recharge our emotional and spiritual selves.  Maybe you read or write or pray.  Maybe you exercise or do yoga or get outdoors and enjoy the peaceful quiet and beauty of God’s creation.  Whatever you do with your time, in every 24-hour period, we all have the same 288 chances to do just that.  To take five minutes and just stop, to think, to feel, allow ourselves time to breathe, grab hold of a thought or a word or a feeling, or capture a moment. 

My new book, 288 Chances, just published through WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson, is a collection of writings whose foundations began in a quick five minutes. I related the title, 288 Chances, to how many opportunities in every 24-hour day that we all have to take a five-minute time-out, just stop for a few minutes out of our busy day to be thankful, be grateful, be hopeful, for something . . . . or someone. Can't we all find five minutes?

For some time, I’ve been participating in an online writing exercise called Five Minute Fridays with Lisa-Jo Baker at Lisajobaker.com.  Lisa-Jo graciously extends an invitation to her blog visitors who want to participate, the opportunity to write for five minutes, and five minutes only, on the word prompt of the day.  The invitation is to write on one word for five minutes – see the word, don’t think too hard, just write – and then stop.  Then, if you want to, share with others who were inspired to do the same.
 


In this book, I’ve shared just a few of the writings whose foundations began in five short minutes. Open, honest, thoughtful words written from the heart, words that will hopefully engage the mind and the spirit as they relate to the simple, everyday feelings and emotions that we all experience over a lifetime. Love, Loss, Trust, Expectation. Just a few of the hopes and fears, joys and disappointments that otherwise might go unspoken, unshared, until we take the time to write them down.
 

My hope is that readers will relate to one or more of these writings, that the words may strike a familiar chord, relate to a similar experience or evoke a positive memory from the past. 

Everyday life is full of ordinary moments that should inspire us all to be extraordinary. Sharing those moments with others connects us.
 
My softcover book is available for purchase now at WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson, Barnesandnoble.com, Amazon.com, and other online retailers. 

The E-book will be available soon for download to your Nook or Kindle.

Please "take five" and take a look.  I hope you'll be glad you did.

Thanks for visiting!

Brenda  :)