Reading through a writer's notebook or journal is like discovering pearls, rubies and diamonds amidst a pile of rubble.
That little notebook is a powerhouse of ideas for every writer: The more you write down bits and pieces of your thoughts and observations, the more you are adding into the well of ideas for future works.
Here are a few things you can record in your notebook or journal, so that in case you run out of ideas to write about, you can refer to it:
Your Shoeboxed Life: Write what you know, feel and experience. Jot down snippets of events in your life. Write a sentence or a paragraph about a funny, embarrassing, happy or infuriating experience.
The Interesting People. Scribble descriptions of people you meet every day. How do they react in certain situations? How do their names fit their image?
A Word a Day. Whenever an interesting word catches your attention, write it down. It may have a different meaning for you a month or a year from now. If you keep a list of words in your notebook, these words can serve as story starters for you.
Those Quotable Quotes. A meaningful quote can start you off to writing. Collect quotes you come across that interest you.
Ordinary People with their One-Liners. Overheard lines in a conversation can sometimes spark your creative mind. Write down these one-liners in your notebook. They can be great story starters.
Something You Read. Read good books. Keep a file of memorable lines or quotes. Write down quirky billboard ads. Scan the papers for one-liners. These are good idea stimulators.
Emotions. Describe what you feel at any given moment. If you feel angry right now, write what your anger feels like. Descriibe it. Use vivid words.
Writers are similar to store owners. Store owners stock their supplies in their shelves, while you stock ideas between the pages of your little writer's notebook.
You can make your stock endless, bottomless. You can reach down again and again for inspiration without exhausting your notebook of reserve.
So start stocking your writer's notebook today. A week from now, take a peek in it and you just might find something there that could connect your pen to paper.
About The Author
Copyright (c) 2003-2004 Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ
Shery is the author of the book, WEEKLY WRITES: 52 Weeks of Writing Bliss! Grab a copy from amazon.com and get free unlimited access to the amazon.com Exclusive Members Area that features over $250 worth of goodies! amazon.com
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..Authors need to write their book according to their target... Read More
We've all seen those ads that grab our attention and... Read More
No user manual? Surely you jest!It may seem comical, but... Read More
As an editorial professional, I'm sure you're aware of the... Read More
My Dad has this old joke that goes, "What's the... Read More
Rudolph Flesch, a pioneering advocate of readability, put great stock... Read More
Ah, the age-old writer's debate--to outline or not to outline?Outlines... Read More
Sailors had it for years. Great explorers had it as... Read More
This article contains a short guide on how to edit... Read More
Dave, I just got a contract for a book... Read More
Not long ago, I went to an Internet Marketing Seminar.... Read More
Writing papers and book reports has long been the bane... Read More
ACCEPT, EXCEPT Not commonly seen even from unpublished writers, who... Read More
At first, I noticed that I could have written many... Read More
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a... Read More
Business etiquette is fundamentally concerned with building relationships founded upon... Read More
There are three ways to write a first draft. One... Read More
Chances are, you'll be busy over the next several weeks.... Read More
You can learn a lot about what it takes to... Read More
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More
Great writing transports one vicariously to realms that the reader... Read More
Boost Brain Power Through WritingHave you ever noticed what happens... Read More
I recently set up a website to promote a new... Read More
So you've got your plot outlined, a title lined up... Read More
On my first newspaper assignment as a critic, I was... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview ..The first step in the writing process is to put... Read More
1. Before you write anything down define not what you... Read More
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by marketing. First, there's so... Read More
[When I was a nineteen-year-old high school student and budding... Read More
What is this annoying, insidious angst that permeates my psyche?... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
Is your book nearly finished, finished, published, or even in... Read More
I???ve spoken to hundreds of editors, employers, and project managers... Read More
Freelance writer STANLEY BURKHARDT has a passion for animals. He... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips ?We all have different tastes in... Read More
'Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented... Read More
If your dream is to get published, the chance is... Read More
Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More
"The Magic of Layout..."???Okay... "magic" might seem a bit over... Read More
Writers often get stuck because they make assumptions about writing,... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
You know, I really hate it when someone catches me... Read More
A few months ago, I wrote a guide entitled: 101... Read More
Do you have a problem creating a focus in your... Read More
Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase... Read More
I recently read a book where everything was akimbo. Arms... Read More
Dave, I just got a contract for a book... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
1. What Is A Premise?A premise is the point you... Read More
Productivity begins by recognizing and valuing your brilliance, time, and... Read More
Writing |