When I don’t know what to write, writing prompts and challenges are my go-to writer’s block busters. The one I’ve tackled most recently is the Sweet Seven presented by author Hannah Deurloo, and if you like writing for children, give her challenge a shot! Here’s what I love about them:
1. Writing Prompts are Short
Like a handful of blueberries (as opposed to a meal), writing prompts are low commitment and energy-packed. They don’t take long to write, and that’s a big deal. When I feel stuck, I want to get moving again fast. A prompt can get me from A to B in a paragraph. Boom.
2. You’ve Got Room to Grow
Whether the challenge is a paragraph, page, flash fiction, or short story, you can always make it longer if you want to. I love the creative freedom this brings. I once did a 24-hour challenge with a friend, and the story that came from it was cooler than I anticipated. Maybe one day it will be a novel, but for today, it’s something started with room to grow.
3. Hello, Focus
If a river is blocked, the water disperses. The same kind of thing happens (at least to me) with writer’s block. Instead of cutting a clear path, my thoughts can begin to go all over the place. A prompt gives me a problem to solve. Navigating the waters becomes the focus again, and I’m back on course.
4. Gain a New Perspective
Writers can be great builders, but when we always use the same materials, the work gets mundane. If you use a book, an online challenge, or even make up your own writing prompt with a friend, it forces you to try something out of your box. And that, my friends, helps to get those inventive wheels turning again.
You can do it! What challenge will you conquer today?
Until next time,
Invent your story
The coolest thing happened this week. I got a comment. It wasn’t a, “Hey, I like what you’re doing!” kind of comment – although I appreciate all feedback. It was a, “I get criticized for my out-of-the-box thinking, and your words really encouraged me…” kind of comment.
Not a public comment. Not a “two thumbs up” from a well-known critic that’s going to make my career. It wasn’t a call from an agent. It was a person who was facing a challenge, and my words encouraged them.
Wow.
You know what, writers? It’s worth it. For that alone, it’s worth it. Yes, writing takes hours, days, weeks, and years. Yes, you may never make a dime from it. It may take a very, very long time (if you’re like me) and you are going to face a zillion challenges in every form imaginable.
For that one person, it’s worth it.
People say to write for yourself, and I don’t argue that. Putting those thoughts, words, and ideas onto paper is fulfilling, and if you’re only writing for others, you may lose yourself in the process. Write like you. Write for you. Just write. It’s good.
But with billions of people on the planet, there’s a good chance someone out there will benefit from what you have to say. From honesty. From your brand of crazy – because we all have our own brand of crazy.
My goal, this week, is to let one of the people who’ve encouraged me know that they’ve made a difference in my life. I’m part of someone’s “target audience” too – and I’m easily part of the “audience” of the person whose comment had an impact on me. Friends, we need each other, and that is a gift.
Until next time,
Invent your story
If you’re looking for more encouragement, check out Chocolates and Writing Advice. Happy Friday!
Rejection. It’s not really the part of the writer’s life that’s fun to talk about. It’s great writing material – rejection involves conflict! Rejection is interesting! Rejection is an obstacle for the protagonist to overcome!
Rejection stinks.
Sure, it’s expected. Even the extremely successful writers are criticized and rejected by people – or their work is. And it’s a wonderful teacher (that’s for another post). I don’t expect everyone to like my work, but I do hope somebody does.
And since my last post on writing, somebody did. I mentioned WOW – Women on Writing last time because I’d submitted my work to their competition and knew I was a finalist. They liked my work – the question was, would I be a winner?
Drum roll, please….
Runner-up! My story As for Adventure was one of the top ten stories for their Spring 2018 Flash Fiction contest, and it’s so weird to be writing the words you can read my published work by clicking here. You really can. This actually happened.
Every one of us has a story and experiencing this part of mine makes me want to thank everyone in the world who helped me. Because this is something I could never do on my own. I’m thankful to God, my parents who encouraged me, my sisters who’ve always had my back, my husband who’s in my corner, my kids who genuinely care, my amazing friends who’ve walked with me in life, my teachers who gave me tools and encouragement along the way – thank you so much. Without you, I wouldn’t be doing what I do. And so many thanks to WOW with guest judge literary agent Sharon Pelletier of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. If writers didn’t have opportunities like this one, we’d be missing the challenges that help propel us forward. Thank you!
Because this is my first “real success” as a writer, there’s a something I want to share with you that I hope make a difference for someone out there.
I joined a writing group almost two years ago. My first night there, I brought a poem with me, and I was terrified to read it. Terrified, but I knew if I was really going to do this writer thing, I needed to face that fear.
Before I could get the words out, I said:
This is stupid. This is so stupid.
Then I read it. A leader pointed out some of the poem’s strengths and where it could be improved. People liked it well enough, and I was excited to come back to group again – but in the parking lot afterward, a girl came up to me and said
Don’t ever, EVER call your work stupid.
And since that day, I never have. Because it’s not stupid. I don’t approach writing lightly, and I think most writers don’t. My writing group has weathered many rejections with me. Some of my dear friends edited the winning story for me before submission. And this month, when I walked in the door, the entire group burst into applause to celebrate my placement in WOW’s competition. They are amazing people who I love.
If you’re a writer and you’re not connected with other writers, you are missing out. My writing group helped move me from rejecting my own work, to learning how to weather rejection from others, to celebrating success.
Who you journey with makes all the difference.
Until next time,
Invent your story
If you want to follow some of my amazing writer friends who helped improve my story, check out their websites here!
Quest Type
AJBlog
Inkblot Ideas
Whether you’re a novice or seasoned writer, exploring a new genre is a smart thing to do. If you like picture books, horror stories, poetry, or romance novels you’re in great company, but stepping outside of your comfort zone has some great benefits. There’s a whole world of options waiting for you!
Stretch Your Creative Muscles
I have a (rather pathetic) two years of middle school basketball experience under my belt. Our team was really good! I was not. But when we trained, we didn’t just play basketball. We ran for miles to build endurance. We did speed drills. We jumped rope.
Jumping rope didn’t make me an excellent jump-roper, but it made me lighter of my feet to catch a rebound. Speed drills didn’t make me a sprinter, but I got to the end of the court fast. You get the point. Reading Skippyjon Jones may not make you a children’s book author, but it will make you laugh – and humor is a powerful component in writing.
As a writer, exploring different genres can help you discover talents and interests you didn’t know you had. You’ll also learn something new that you can take into your own work! I’ve always loved poetry, and kidlit. Well, this weekend I picked up a thriller just to shake things up.
New Genres Create New Opportunities
If you want to try something new and don’t know where to start, flash fiction is a fun area to jump in. There’s a lot of opportunities to compete and share your work! I highly recommend WOW – Women On Writing for the ladies out there. The genre is up to you! You won’t know where the road goes until you start to walk down it. Or jump rope down it. Or sprint.
Until next time,
Invent your story
