Writing Exercises

I've not written in far too long. It's funny. Whenever I take too long a break from writing, I begin to feel as though life is stretching out in front of me with no breaks, and going super fast simultaneously, and I begin to long for a break and pester Daniel to bring me on a cruise or a vacation. As soon as I begin writing again, though, a sense of contentment settles over me and I once again feel that I am fine, and life is fine, and I don't need a vacation to keep living without going crazy.

I bought myself 642 Things to Write About a few months ago after wanting it for years (yes, years). I had only gotten through one exercise until today. Mostly because when I sat down to write, I was working on one or both of my books and didn't think I should take the time out to work through exercises. Today, though, I just did three exercises in a row, which was an great reminder of how good writing exercises are to get the juices flowing again. Writing is rarely easy, and even less so when you haven't taken time out for it in awhile, but if anything will get you started again, I think it is writing exercises with prompts.

I have the day off today after working over by 18 hours during the last pay period, and intend to use it writing - of course, best intentions always go awry - but if nothing else, at least I did the writing exercises. And I've been longing to have some quiet time, so I think no matter how much (or little) writing I actually get done today, it will be a good day. I don't even mind the rain. It adds to the ambiance of a day to spend writing. And I will finally get to read the Writer's Digest that has been waiting for me for a month.

Writer's Inspiration

I don't know about you, but writing inspiration for me can come in many forms. This particular morning, it is in the simple joy of a gorgeous sunny morning. Granted, that may be because I can count on one hand the number of sunny days I have experienced since April. But it doesn't change the immense joy I feel in seeing a blue sky, bright green leaves, marshmallow cream clouds, and hearing birds singing. Mornings like this are perfect for writing - for inserting realism into your book by simply writing what you actually see and feel.

I used to chafe at the constant instruction from experienced writing masters to only "Write What You Know" - until I finally realized that they weren't necessarily saying you were only allowed to write about your own experiences. They were just saying that, if you have experienced a certain emotion, country, or day - insert that into your book, because you know just how your character would feel during that experience and it will feel all the more real. At least, that is how I have chosen to interpret their instruction, and I will thank  you not to pop my little bubble.

And, while I may still be grimacing at the thought of the days upon days of gloomy, rainy days, the truth is, that too may end up in a book. Because now I have no doubt as to how a character might feel if caught in the rain, with no glimpse of sun, for days on end.

So there is my suggestion for the day as I arrogantly pretend to be experienced! Take anything that causes you immense emotion - whether joy or sorrow - and insert it into a story.