Conclamo Ludus

I'm really starting to settle in and dedicate some time to writing. Probably mostly short stories and poems, but we'll see what develops. I am looking for some helpful hints on some writing exercises that can open up some creative flow. I guess it could be any kind of assignment. I'm hoping the TFP Literature crew can dredge up some ideas for writers who want to discipline themselves a little more.

Thanks for any ideas!

__________________
Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul
I wouldn't mistreat you baby, for my weight in gold.
-Son House, Death Letter Blues

chavos

finding good material for me means looking to recent arguements, conflicts, etc...in my life. If you get TNT, watch the ads where they talk about "what is drama?" They're cheesy as hell, but it's a good reminder of all the different ways that you can introduce a tension in to a story or poem. If you don't get TNT...i'll try to find as many as i can and post 'em. The core of that is that anything can be drama...

So thus with general source material, i reccomend talking to yourself. Take a few minutes to introduce yourself to a new character...trying to remember everything you can about this person's life. Work out tiny little details...things that add depth and soul to characters. introduce them to each other, and watch them argue, love, detach, or...any combination of the three.

another handy exercize is disguising reality. take a real event, and focus on what it meant to the people involved. tell the story as accurately as you can, leaving nothing out. Then rewrite, fresh or revising, that narrative so that it can't be recognized as that event. the goal is to be in as much control of the narrative, while still conveying the idea that the original did. Often times there is an idea you want to convey and you can't change it...and this gives you practice with changing everything else.

These are mostly short story tips, but some of it can be used for poetry...and of course, the most basic tip of all is to keep writing...

Unsung

I like the last one there. If you have some brief scene like that firmly in mind and it has several people in it, tell it again from another participant's viewpoint. Each person sees things differently, details and all. Each will hear the words differently and read different things into them. Each will notice different things, too. Some wouldn't note the background sounds at all, while others would be distracted by them and perhaps miss a crucial bit of dialogue and misconstrue something. If there weren't other poeple there, make up a hitherto unknown spectator or eavesdropper.

__________________
It's the quiet little people who make all the difference.
Well, okay. The big noisy people, too.

funbob

Writing exercises....... The only thing you need to know is "Find what works for you"

Everyone is going to have an opinion. Everyone is going to tell you to do this or that. You have to find your own method to the madness. It took me 3 years to write my first book, in those three years, I listened to a bunch of people tell me what to do, how to do it, etc. It was not until I found my own style, pace and creative voice that it all came together. If this is what you are meant to do, then your voice will show itself. Good luck!!!

J.R.V.A.

Start writing...

__________________
And as she plays,
her sweet song of laughter
floats through the air
and warms my heart

funbob

Now that is the best advice ever. JRVA, came up with the one piece of advice that is proper.

Conclamo Ludus

These are all good pieces of advice. Thanks guys.

__________________
Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul
I wouldn't mistreat you baby, for my weight in gold.
-Son House, Death Letter Blues