Library

What writer doesn't love the library? All those lovely books... all those stories and adventures and dilemmas and other people's problems and pastel shade escapes... sigh... take me there now.

Hence today's writing warm-up for the A to Z Challenge: L for Library.

The Mitchell Library... one of the Great Loves of my life.

1. You're sitting at a desk in the library, surrounded by a big pile of books. At the table to your left is a scruffy old man, reading a newspaper. Is he homeless; seeking sanctuary from the bitter cold? To the right of you is a group of giggling girls who'd prefer to gossip than study. What's going on in their lives? Do they have fickle, theatrical dilemmas? Or are there sensitive family issues affecting them all in various degrees of severity? Spend a few minutes pondering characters, using the library as common ground.


2. Sketch a mind-map using the key word as the nucleus, then branch out in whatever direction you please. You might find yourself going in completely unrelated paths (which I personally prefer). Do a five-minute freewrite incorporating as many (or few) branch words as you like. Here is my mind map (created using the SimpleMind app on my phone).

3. Choose one of the following sentence starts and freewrite for a few minutes, letting the words tumble out without a second thought:

• I found the letter in the library book I'd just checked out...
• The couple argued in hushed tones, mindful of the library rule...
• She didn't notice the "entry forbidden" sign as she walked through the door, looking for a way out of the library...

I find it best not to read my freewrites for at least a few days. Why not stuff them in a drawer and surprise yourself? It's blatant evidence that our minds work in mysterious ways. Plus, I defy you not to find an array of story seeds amongst your work.

Do you have any writing warm-ups you'd like to share?

Take care,
Catherine x

Note: All photo prompts in the A to Z Challenge 2013 are my own. Feel free to use/copy/share to your hearts content. Help yourself. :)

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Library

Kangaroo

I have to admit, I really struggled to come up with a K writing warm-up, so leant towards something more obscure for the A to Z Blogging Challenge.

I give you... K for Kangaroo.

The first one was a tame wee thing, in Australia Zoo, but I spotted the second one casually hopping around a rugby park! Look at those claws, all set for disembowelment...

1. Imagine you're taking a short cut through the woods when, out the corner of your eye, you see something approaching you (it doesn't need to be a kangaroo). Write what happens next, building up suspense of whether it's going to attack you or not. Does it turn out to be friendly? Does it lead you to a grim discovery? Does it rescue you from an even bigger danger in the woods?

2. Sketch a mind-map using the key word as the nucleus, then branch out in whatever direction you please. You might find yourself going in completely unrelated paths (which I personally prefer). Do a five-minute freewrite incorporating as many (or few) branch words as you like. Here is my mind map (created using the SimpleMind app on my phone).

3. Choose one of the following sentence starts and freewrite for a few minutes, letting the words tumble out without a second thought:

• He filled the feed dispenser with the sedative... he didn't want to risk a repeat of yesterday...
• I clawed the human's fragile hand as I lapped up the treat...
• I moved the kangaroo steak around the plate, loathe to try it under their amused, testing gaze...

I find it best not to read my freewrites for at least a few days. Why not stuff them in a drawer and surprise yourself? It's blatant evidence that our minds work in mysterious ways. Plus, I defy you not to find an array of story seeds amongst your work.

Do you have any writing warm-ups you'd like to share?

Take care,
Catherine x

Note: All photo prompts in the A to Z Challenge 2013 are my own. Feel free to use/copy/share to your hearts content. Help yourself. :)

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Kangaroo

Eyes down

Today's writing warm-up for my A to Z Blogging Challenge is: E for Eyes Down.

1. Here are some notes I made during my last jaunt to the bingo with Mother:

Passers-by saying hello, lonesome individuals sitting at a table for four, man holds a £20 note in the air for change, flashing lights from nearby casino slots, clattering of coins, a foul-mouthed old woman talking loudly, potential fisticuffs over seats, shhhhhh-ing when the caller speaks, fidgeting with bulbous dabber pens, walking sticks littering the walkways, old, wrought wedding rings, bad wigs, room clears immediately as people scarper for cigarette break, waiting on one for the house, grumble grumble, caller's farewell: "On behalf of all of us, love you and ta-ra!" A sea of "ta-raaaa"'s with one mutter of "get it up ye..." Jackets on.
 
Have a look at your surroundings and describe everything you see, hear, feel, smell, etc. You might feel a story begin to form (I found a few with my bingo notes!).

2. Sketch a mind-map using the key word as the nucleus, then branch out in whatever direction you please. You might find yourself going in completely unrelated paths (which I personally prefer). Do a five-minute freewrite incorporating as many (or few) branch words as you like. Here is my mind map (created using the SimpleMind app on my phone).

3. Choose one of the following sentence starts and freewrite for a few minutes, letting the words tumble out without a second thought:

• We always promised we'd split the winnings...
• Old Betty hadn't shown face in the bingo for three weeks now...
• It got her out of the house, at least...

I find it best not to read my freewrites for at least a few days. Why not stuff them in a drawer and surprise yourself? It's blatant evidence that our minds work in mysterious ways. Plus, I defy you not to find an array of story seeds amongst your work.

 

Do you have any writing warm-ups you'd like to share?

 

Take care,

Catherine x

 

 

Note: All photo prompts in my A to Z Challenge 2013 are my own. Feel free to use/copy/share to your hearts content. Help yourself. :)

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Eyes down