Up until today I've been kind of living under the delusion that it's still summer and a bajillion and a half degrees outside. But it's actually cold--which means fingerless gloves and boots! AND, it also means that this semester is 1/3 of the way over! My students have already turned in their first writing portfolios and papers.
Part of the portfolio I assign includes a written reaction to their writing over the course of the semester so far. And many of my students commented on the fact that I make them write everyday in class.
Being in my class means you are going to write. And so to get everyone writing I usually have them start by writing in a journal--nonstop--for an entire minute without a topic. If they have no idea what to write, I tell them to write, "I have no idea what to write" over and over again until they have something to write. Then I usually follow with a 5-10 minute --nonstop--write that has a topic.
Many of the students thought that though they couldn't understand why in the world I'd ask them to do something so crazy, they thought their writing was improving, because...well, they were writing.
Only one student thought herself such a great writer already that these exercises weren't helping.
Anyway--all of this got me thinking... I responded that to be a great writer, you have to write, you have to practice and sometimes you have to return to basics. Even master writers have to practice their craft on a regular basis, just the same as a ballet dancer has to warm up everyday and a singer has to go through the basic notes before she can hit the high ones. Writing is a craft that deserves every second of practice one can devote to it. And the more you practice something, the better you get at it--no matter where you're starting, if you keep at something you are bound to improve.
BUT, sometimes it's good to shake things up. Especially if you've been writing seriously for the last 5 years. So, what I'm wondering is, what are your favorite writing exercises? What do you guys do to practice your craft or get ideas going?
I'd love to hear and try some new exercises out, or maybe your exercise will give someone else an idea.
I just wrote a post on where I get my ideas. I'm learning how to just open my eyes and pick something to roll with. Even if its just a random person walking I try to write about where they are going, who they are, etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this is something a lot of people do but I'm just starting to try it out.
I'm wondering where summer went too. It's really October, yikes.
I don't do writing exercises. I just write. I'm either working on my blog or my wip. That's all I have time for. But I am writing several hours a day, so that must count for something. ;)
ReplyDeleteI go to the Compuserve Books and Writers forum (you can find a link on my side bar, or in last Wednesday's blog all about that subject). I do the monthly exercises, and they are wonderful and inspiring. This month's X has been particularly incredible :)
ReplyDeleteFLASH FICTION! :D
ReplyDeleteErm. Yah. Also, I like having a bunch of different projects running. Helps keep my brain active.
One thing that I think helped me in the beginning, back before I was even writing novel length, was a contest on dialogue. The requirement was to write a scene no longer than 500 words with dialogue only. No action or dialogue tags allowed. It was tough at first but I do feel that my dialogue is better now because I used to take part in that exercise.
ReplyDeleteI feel like blog writing + YA fiction keeps me using different parts of my writing self. I've also mixed it up with middle grade and picture books. And I recently tried a short story.
ReplyDeleteToday on my blog, I also wrote about writing daily.
I do writing prompts a lot; I have hundreds that I've collected and written myself. (I share them on my blog every Wednesday!) It helps me break down any walls around my creativity and often inspires new ideas for my characters and stories.
ReplyDeleteI also write in my journal daily, at least three pages. I got that idea from Julia Cameron's practice of writing Morning Pages. I don't always write mine in the morning, but I do write them every day!
I like to use art transparencies or crazy photos (like the Mysteries of Harris Burdick) as writing prompts or exercises in detail. My students have had bunches of works published in national student journals and magazines, written using this exercise.
ReplyDeleteChristine, thanks--and OMG I almost feel like it's winter already this weather change has been so drastic!
ReplyDeleteStina, yeah that's pretty much a big part of my writing practice too! So changing it up, or at least adding could be really fun. Though I'd say it DEFINITELY counts. For a lot!
Tara, Oooh that sounds good! Thanks for sharing that!
Simon, LOL, you'd convert everyone to FF if you could:-)
Dawn, Oooh interesting--I could give that a shot.
Theresa, thanks Ill have to come check it out:-)
Laura, I REALLY want to do that! I keep forgetting to actually pick up my journal though!
I love to do writing exercises on my characters, a short back-story or history on them. It really gets me into their heads. I also brainstorm with friends who know the story really well.
ReplyDeleteWriting definitely improves with practice. I like to write in my journal, capture new ideas, jot down stories and poems as they come to my mind,..etc. I think that the more you write, the better you get.
ReplyDelete