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writercises2017-08-29 03:44 pm
mbarker) wrote in writercises2017-08-29 03:44 pm
TECH: Jump-Start Your Brain (moldy oldie!)
Original Posting May 10, 2017
Writer's Digest, February 2000, had an article on pages 34-36 with the title Jump-Start Your Brain by Steven James. The subtitle reads "When your creative batteries are dead, facing a blank page is as much fun as digging in the trunk for your jumper cables… By the side of the road… In a snowstorm. Here, we offer the ultimate in roadside assistance: seven ways to grab a spark and recharge." So, let's take a look!
1. Explore your L. I. F. E. What the heck is that? Literature, imagination, folklore, and experience. "A limitless well of ideas waiting to be tapped." That's right, take those classic plots and put them in a different time and place. See what your imagination throws up that you find interesting. Look for the motifs of myth, fairytale, folklore. Think about your own experience.
2. Change your perspective. Steven recounts noticing that in a hotel in Denver, there were exit signs above the exit doors, but also at their base. He thought that was odd, since only someone crawling on the floor would need a sign there… And then he realized that's where you should be in a fire! "Creativity isn't seeing what no one else sees; it's seeing what anyone else would see – if only they were looking. New ideas are born when we view life from a fresh perspective or peer at the world through another set of eyes." So take a look at your story from another person's perspective. Writer journal entry, a complaint letter, a love note from the point of view of the main character. Try switching the point of view, playing with first or third person. What would you do if you are in the story?
3. Let serendipity happen. Step away, stop worrying, relax – and see what happens. Break your routine. Do something different. You never know what you might find the circus!
4. Set boundaries. Photographers carefully consider how to frame the picture, what to leave out. Writers don't have viewfinders, but… Sometimes we need to set more limits. Focus. "What's your story about? What's the theme? The deadline? The word count? If you aren't assigned boundaries, sent them yourself!"
5. Look for connections. Combining ideas, the intersection of thoughts, is often where creativity spouts. Take two or more familiar things, randomly chosen, combine them and see what you get. Think metaphorically! Look for the connections, and see what happens.
6. Ask stupid questions. Obvious, stupid questions are a good way to explore problems. Try describing the finished story to someone. What has to happen to get there? What does the reader need to know? Ask what's missing, what you've left out. Use "what if questions" to kick you into action. "No question is too stupid when it comes to framing and improving your story. Just be brave enough to accept and embrace the answers!"
7. Question your direction. Make sure you're going the right direction. Don't just keep writing page after page of the story that's headed nowhere. "Question where you're going. Don't assume that you must be going in the right direction just because you're picking up from where you left off yesterday.… Stay on track."
Now, on page 35 they included a creativity starter. It's really pretty simple. Three steps:
1. Explore your L. I. F. E. What's a favorite memory from your childhood? What happened? Why is the event or person so memorable? Write that down in a short paragraph or so.
2. Change your perspective. How would someone else relate the same memory? For example, how would your mother describe the memory of your father's laughter? What would be different about her recollection? What language would she use? Again, write down some ideas in a short few notes.
3. Set boundaries. Does this memory fit into your current writing project? How? If not, can it fit by refocusing on what you are writing now, or can you funnel this creative burst into another project? How? Go ahead, write down your notes about this.
"Don't be afraid to let your thoughts go far afield if you're stuck. Focusing on the future instead of your current rut can help you climb out and move on."
There you go. Kickstart your brain! Feel those little sparks running wild. And then…
WRITE!
tink
Writer's Digest, February 2000, had an article on pages 34-36 with the title Jump-Start Your Brain by Steven James. The subtitle reads "When your creative batteries are dead, facing a blank page is as much fun as digging in the trunk for your jumper cables… By the side of the road… In a snowstorm. Here, we offer the ultimate in roadside assistance: seven ways to grab a spark and recharge." So, let's take a look!
1. Explore your L. I. F. E. What the heck is that? Literature, imagination, folklore, and experience. "A limitless well of ideas waiting to be tapped." That's right, take those classic plots and put them in a different time and place. See what your imagination throws up that you find interesting. Look for the motifs of myth, fairytale, folklore. Think about your own experience.
2. Change your perspective. Steven recounts noticing that in a hotel in Denver, there were exit signs above the exit doors, but also at their base. He thought that was odd, since only someone crawling on the floor would need a sign there… And then he realized that's where you should be in a fire! "Creativity isn't seeing what no one else sees; it's seeing what anyone else would see – if only they were looking. New ideas are born when we view life from a fresh perspective or peer at the world through another set of eyes." So take a look at your story from another person's perspective. Writer journal entry, a complaint letter, a love note from the point of view of the main character. Try switching the point of view, playing with first or third person. What would you do if you are in the story?
3. Let serendipity happen. Step away, stop worrying, relax – and see what happens. Break your routine. Do something different. You never know what you might find the circus!
4. Set boundaries. Photographers carefully consider how to frame the picture, what to leave out. Writers don't have viewfinders, but… Sometimes we need to set more limits. Focus. "What's your story about? What's the theme? The deadline? The word count? If you aren't assigned boundaries, sent them yourself!"
5. Look for connections. Combining ideas, the intersection of thoughts, is often where creativity spouts. Take two or more familiar things, randomly chosen, combine them and see what you get. Think metaphorically! Look for the connections, and see what happens.
6. Ask stupid questions. Obvious, stupid questions are a good way to explore problems. Try describing the finished story to someone. What has to happen to get there? What does the reader need to know? Ask what's missing, what you've left out. Use "what if questions" to kick you into action. "No question is too stupid when it comes to framing and improving your story. Just be brave enough to accept and embrace the answers!"
7. Question your direction. Make sure you're going the right direction. Don't just keep writing page after page of the story that's headed nowhere. "Question where you're going. Don't assume that you must be going in the right direction just because you're picking up from where you left off yesterday.… Stay on track."
Now, on page 35 they included a creativity starter. It's really pretty simple. Three steps:
1. Explore your L. I. F. E. What's a favorite memory from your childhood? What happened? Why is the event or person so memorable? Write that down in a short paragraph or so.
2. Change your perspective. How would someone else relate the same memory? For example, how would your mother describe the memory of your father's laughter? What would be different about her recollection? What language would she use? Again, write down some ideas in a short few notes.
3. Set boundaries. Does this memory fit into your current writing project? How? If not, can it fit by refocusing on what you are writing now, or can you funnel this creative burst into another project? How? Go ahead, write down your notes about this.
"Don't be afraid to let your thoughts go far afield if you're stuck. Focusing on the future instead of your current rut can help you climb out and move on."
There you go. Kickstart your brain! Feel those little sparks running wild. And then…
WRITE!
tink