An average of a page a day is a draft manuscript in a year.
Category: For Writers
Writing Exercise #5
Object Exercise (2)
Begin by making a decision that, over the next few days, an object that will be the inspiration for this exercise will present itself to you. When it does, write a piece stimulated by that object.
The writing may be about the object itself, something or someone connected with the object, where it came from, your acquisition of it… or anything else about it that stirs in you.
Do not rush into this exercise. When I’ve set it for homework in weekly writing classes, some students have reported the inclination to rush around looking for an object to write about. However, the challenge here is to allow the object to call out to you, so to speak, to encourage you to go beyond the obvious.
Don’t worry that nothing will present itself. It will, and you will intuitively know when the moment has come to start writing.
Writing Tip #5
Do something towards your writing every day. This may be as small as looking up something on the internet which will advance your research, or as big as writing the first draft of a chapter.
Exercise #4
Object Exercise (1)
Sit ready to write, either at your computer or with a notebook and pen. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to clear your mind.
When you feel ready, open your eyes and take in your surroundings.
Allow your gaze to rest on one object, then start writing a piece about that object and see where it takes you.
Exercise #3
First Memory
Go back in your mind to the scene that you think of as the earliest one that has stayed with you. Jot down everything you remember about the event. Where were you? Was anyone else there? Who? What were the sounds, colours, textures or movements around you? Was there conversation? If so, who said what? Can you smell anything? And so on…
Explore the memory in as much detail as you can, and write it as though you’re sharing it with someone special.
Writing Tip #4
Date and sign everything you write – including ideas, fragments and planning notes.
Exercise #2
Favourite Place
Take the reader on a journey to your favourite place. This may be a physical place, but it does not have to be – think as laterally as you wish.
Repeat this exercise over and over, and be surprised by the range of possibilities.
Practising this exercise will enhance your ability to write a sense of place and hold the reader’s attention through the experience.
Writing Tip #3
Always have a notebook and pen/s handy to jot down ideas, make note of things you see or snippets of conversations you hear, and to record inspirational quotes.
For Writers
Writing Tips
This page is where I plan to share the Writing Tips I’ve accumulated through my own writing and the development of the Writers’ Courses I’ve facilitated. The list will grow regularly, as will my blog and other features For Writers on this website.
Writing Exercises
On this page I’ll challenge you with Writing Exercises from the Writers’ Courses I’ve developed and facilitated over the years. New tasks will be added regularly, so you can build on your writing experience and increase your skills and resources at the same time.
Check in often and enjoy the ride!
Exercise #1
Free Writing Beyond Your Desk
Sit down ready to write. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to clear your mind.
Open your eyes and notice what is beyond your desk. Is it a blank wall… a noticeboard… a photograph… children watching television in the next room? Perhaps it’s a window that looks onto a retaining wall in the garden… a tree… or distant hills flooded with afternoon sun casting shadows to the east.
Take in the scene before you, then let your gaze settle. Now you have your starting point, pick up your pen or reach for the keyboard and begin to write as you explore what is before you.
Write for at least five minutes… or more if you can.
Each time you practise this exercise it will be easier to continue for longer.