Each meeting consists of valuable information for novice and experienced writers. While every writer has a particular interest they choose to write about, here are simple exercises to help expand your thinking and skills. There is something for everyone, no matter what genre you prefer.
Here’s the plan: Between now and the next meeting, do each day’s writing exercise. Then before the next meeting, (a) choose an exercise you will share with the group and (b) be prepared to elaborate on your thoughts and the writing process.
For the meeting, you pick one of the 10 to share! Have fun.
The 12-Day Plan of Simple Writing Exercises
Day 1: Write 10 potential book titles of books you’d like to write.
Day 2: Create a character with personality traits of someone you love, but the physical characteristics of someone you don’t care for.
Day 3: Write a setting based on the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen.
Day 4: Write a letter to an agent telling her how wonderful you are.
Day 5: Write a 20-line poem about a memorable moment in your life.
Day 6: Select a book on your shelf and pick two chapters at random. Take the first line of one chapter and the last line of the other chapter and write a short story (no more than 1000 words) using those as bookends to your story.
Day 7: Write a letter to yourself telling you what you need to improve in the coming 6 months.
Day 8: Rewrite a fairy tale from the bad guy’s point of view.
Day 9: Turn on your TV. Write down the first line that you hear and write a story based on it.
Day 10: Go sit in a public place and eavesdrop on a conversation. Turn what you hear into a short love story (no matter how much you have to twist what they say).
Day 11: Write the acknowledgments page that will be placed in your first (next?) published book, thanking all the people who have helped you along the way.
Day 12: Gather everything you’ve written over the previous 11 days. Pick your favorite. Edit it, polish it and either try to get it published or post it on the Web to share with the world. Be proud of yourself and your work.
Reposted from Writers Digest
December 9, 2011
