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  :)