Writing Exercises

June 2017

by Madame Warlock

This month, I’ve found a rather amusing writing exercise that I’ve yet to try out for myself. I have no doubt it’ll lead to an interesting piece, and I’m rather excited to see what kind of combination of things I get to write about. This month’s exercise is about making connections between things that may not seem to have very many connections. In addition, this drill will allow you a few opportunities to be creative with the process itself. You’ll understand once we get into the details, I’m sure!

Our exercise this month is called “Making Random Connections.”

The Process

Get a few pieces of paper together in front of you and think of four different categories. I recommend starting with people, places, things and themes, but you can change it up if you want.
In each category, list as many words as you can think of.
Now’s the fun part! Take each term and break it off.
Throw all of your terms into a hat/basket/pot/pan/other container and mix them up.
Pick two.
Write on the connections between those two terms. It could be a story or a poem. It could even just be a list of questions explaining how little you know about one or both of the objects you’ve pulled.

Benefits for a Writing Mind

It’s probably quite helpful that there is no clear goal in mind with this particular exercise. Your final piece doesn’t have to be a certain length and it doesn’t have to be a particular format. The only thing it has to do is establish a connection between two things.

Randomness goes a long way in opening your mind to more possibilities.

Beyond quite a few other possibilities, this exercise is a good one for helping you discover that which you do not know anything about. It might inspire you to research a particular subject more and you might just acquire new knowledge that could be used in a story or a roleplay sometime in the near future.

Building connections is something that is bound to be required in whatever writing you pursue. Practice makes permanent so practice making creative connections from the beginning.

Interesting Twists:

Make the four categories very specific and very unique. This will make it a little harder to make the connections because the things you draw are less likely to have anything to do with each other.
Choose four categories that are very similar and then instead of creating a connection between them in your writing piece, write a piece that completely destroys that connection. See if it’s possible to do.
Instead of writing out ideas and drawing two, make it more random by using a random word generator to get two ideas. This prevents your mind from establishing connections before you even mix the words up.
Make it a group activity. Have a group of three. Two people each write down a word (without sharing with each other or discussing) and then they give their words to the third person. Those are the ideas you’re writing about and connecting.
See if you can incorporate any of your newfound and creative connections into a roleplay!

For me personally, this exercise seems to have it all. It’s a good one for generating ideas, and it’s a good opportunity to practice writing skills that you may already have down or that you may need to work on. As far as its benefits, there are so many more than what I listed and it really just depends on what direction you take the exercise. Make sure that no matter how hard you’re working, you always leave room for things to stay silly and a bit random. A smile goes a long way in improving your muse.

Next time, I hope to bring even more ways to write with a smile!

May 2017

by Madame Warlock

Hello, Member!

Last issue, I talked to you about getting outside and looking for colors. I think I like the thought of being outside too much because, in this issue, I’m going to talk to you about another way to use the weather to your advantage when it comes to writing and to getting your muses flowing. If you are not akin to the open air, necessarily, then this activity is one you can do pretty much anywhere you can find people, so it doesn’t really have to involve the great outdoors. I’ve been enjoying what little sun I can get though, so I’m fine with continuing this theme for a while. Anyway, let’s get onto our exercise.

This month’s exercise is titled “Eavesdropping on a Love Story.”

The Process:

Much like last time, to start this exercise, you’re going to grab your shoes, put them on your feet, and leave home.
Go somewhere where you can people watch. This could be a park or a mall. It could be school or your work (just don’t get me in trouble by doing the exercise instead of work and getting caught.)
Pick a conversation you can hear and listen in on it. (Again, don’t get caught! Or if you do, have an excuse.)
Keep the conversation in your head until you’re able to write.
When you are able to write, write out the conversation and turn it into a narrative.
Make it a love story! (See how much twisting you have to add to what they said to make it work.)

Benefits for a Writing Mind:

Creativity! Creativity! Creativity! This one is going to make you be very creative particularly if you overhear a conversation that has nothing to do with romance. You’ll definitely gain some experience twisting phrases to mean different things.

This exercise could help with idea generation. The conversation might inspire something.

This exercise encourages you, once again, to get out of the house and away from your computer and/or notebook for a little while. Getting away is definitely a good thing to refresh a muse!

Interesting Twists:

Make a character who always twists what someone else says to mean something very different. This exercise might help you understand how such a character has to think to actually function properly within a story.
Listen to multiple conversations and try to meld them together into one coherent story, particularly when the subjects don’t match. See if it works.
Take a GP chat conversation and see how many things that are said can be taken the wrong way. See if you can twist these concepts into a love story… or something more interesting!
This exercise could probably work well with any kind of story as well - not only love stories. See how many different genres you can twist a particular conversation to fit into.

While making a habit of twisting someone’s words definitely isn’t advisable, it's something that happens and having some experience with it can help you add it into stories more often. People watching can be inspirational and people listening can be fun as well, so a writing addition to those hobbies isn’t that unusual, I hope. And if it is, oh well! I think it sounds fun and I hope you enjoy it! I look forward to sharing another writing exercise next month!

April 2017

by Madame Warlock

Hello, Member!

While I can’t speak for everyone, I do know that in the month of February, I had a random spot of warm weather in a time that is usually chilly, cold and covered in snow. Now the snow is back so this exercise doesn’t help me, but I still like this exercise because it gets me thinking about spring and all the things I could be doing outside once the weather gets nice and stays nice. If you haven’t figured it out yet, this month’s exercise is one that will help you get outside or get out of the house at the very least and that is always fun to do.

This month’s exercise is called “Observing in Colors.”

The Process:

Usually, these start out with gathering supplies and getting comfortable. Not this one, though. Instead, put on your shoes and get ready to go out for a little while.
Pick a color. Any color.
When you go out, go for a walk. You could walk through a store or outside (weather permitting).
Look around and take note of all the times you see the color you chose.
Next time you write, try to be particularly cognizant of your use of that color.

Benefits for a Writing Mind:
Although this one doesn’t directly involve any actual writing, it works on observation skills in the real world. This, in turn, can benefit your writing and the quality of the details you use.

Adding colors to your stories just makes everything more vivid in general. It allows a reader to see the imagery better because color is something almost everyone can understand. This might help you actually think to mention color more often. I know it’s not something I do often.

Getting out of the house, in general, can be very beneficial for a writer. It gives the mind a break and sometimes inspiration comes when someone is doing something completely unrelated. If you’re ever stuck and need a break, try improving your own observation skills instead of pushing your writing too much.

Interesting Twists:

Instead of looking for colors, look for a specific shape and see how much geometry actually has an influence on the world. Maybe you could create a story where everything has an extremely distinctive shape?
Go for a walk with friends and each of you should have your own color to look for. See how many times you can collect all the colors of a rainbow while all standing in relatively the same place.
Start a color journal. Each time you go out, choose a different color and write down what you see. This could be used if you’re writing a long term story and would like to continue this line of inspiration throughout.
Go to a mall and ask other people to pick colors for you to look for.

This exercise is one that works in two ways. First, it can help clear your head and second, it is self-directed observation which is always good for writing. The more you see the world around you, the more you will be able to help your readers see the world you create in whatever you’re writing. Hopefully, this is a fun one for you to try. With any luck, the weather will turn nice soon, and if you’re stuck in the snow like me, remember that spring is just around the corner!

See you next time!

February 2017

by Madame Warlock

Hello everyone!

Have you ever found yourself to be in a situation where you want to write a story but the plot seems to have been used so many times that it seems there is no original approach to it? I can tell you for certain that I have; I can also tell you that at times, I feel like all the original ideas are gone from the world and that the only new things I could possibly write would inevitably be repeats of things that have already been done. Is that a bad thing? No! Should that prevent new writers from exploring their ideas? Definitely not! This writing exercise is meant to address that.

This month, our exercise is titled “An Old Story Told Anew.”

The Process:

Gather up the supplies you need to write and make yourself comfortable.
1. Take a look at the following prompt:
  A young orphan who is being raised by his aunt and uncle receives a mysterious message from a stranger. This leads him on a series of great adventures. Early on, he receives training to learn superhuman skills. Along the way, he befriends loyal helpers, specifically a guy and a gal who end up falling for each other. Our hero is also helped by a number of non-human creatures. His adventures lead him to a dark and evil villain who is terrorizing everyone and everything that our hero knows and loves.
2. Think of a few stories that you’ve heard, read or seen that seem to follow this prompt.
3. Note the differences between them.
4. Now plan (or actually write) a story that still manages to follow that same plot outline while being different from the stories you brainstormed.

Benefits for a Writing Mind:
One highly positive thing about this exercise is that it allows you to see that successful stories have used the same vague plot structure and still been successful. Therefore, it helps you as a writer to learn that you could very easily do the same thing.

Drawing from old stories helps you learn even when you’re not following the same plot. Reading and recalling those tales helps you see what has been successful in the past.

Sometimes starting with a very generic idea can lead to some very original things. Give it a shot! Maybe you’ll come up with something brand new.

Interesting Twists:

Try going backwards. Think of some stories and see if from those stories, you can write up a generic plot outline that fits both. You might learn something new!
Make it a group activity! Have one person pick out the story that everyone knows. Then have the other use its generic plot to think of something new.
Make it a competition! Take the generic plot provided and see who can come up with more stories that follow the same general plot concept.

Regardless of how you approach the situation, I’m sure you’ll come up with a story completely different from those of J.K. Rowling and George Lucas - the two creators whose stories match the given plot. There’s definitely more out there, but those two come to mind. Setting makes a big difference so maybe we’ll explore an exercise on settings next time!

January 2017

by Madame Warlock

Hello Member!

Have you ever been in a situation where you only know one part of the conversation and yet still feel as though you know what is being said on the other end? How is that possible? It’s because by watching body language and posture changes in one individual, you can guess at what they might be thinking and what they might be feeling and if you know that person well enough, you can potentially know what might have caused them to think or feel that way. Not to mention the fact the words that they are saying could only be said in direct reply to so many things, which makes it easier to guess what might be going on on the other end.

This month’s writing exercise is called “Seeing One End."

The Process:

Gather up the supplies you need to write and make yourself comfortable.
Think of an interesting conversation that two people could have on the phone.
Now imagine watching that conversation take place. You can only see one side of it.
Write what you see and hear.
What you’ll end up with is one half of the conversation and hopefully, it’ll be written with enough detail that the other side is clear to see.

Benefits for a Writing Mind
This exercise is specifically going to focus on writing body language and picking realistic words and tones to use in a phone conversation.

Sometimes little differences and choices of words can change the meaning of everything. Remember that the person talking on the phone can’t see the other person so their tone of voice and word choice are the dictators of their emotions and standings.

It might help if you write both ends of the conversation and then just remove one. See what kind of story that leaves you with.

Interesting Twists

Try to catch everyone by surprise. Make it seem as though one thing is happening in the conversation and then end it by saying it was something else entirely. Remember to make sure it still makes sense… obviously.
Make it a group activity! Write your piece and then have a partner try to write the other end of the conversation. Go back and forth for a while to see how far deviated you get from the original intention of the conversation. Who knows? Maybe someone will be spot on!
Try doing it with letters or text messages imagining that for some reason or another, you can’t see what the other person is writing. Now you lose tone of voice and are left with only words and the body language of the one person you can see.

As you find yourselves enjoying the writing exercise, remember that it’s all for fun and you’re meant to enjoy it. Even if it turns into something entirely silly, you’re still becoming a better writer in the process and you’re probably making someone else smile while you’re at it. Isn’t that a great thing to include in the day?

Until next time!

November 2016

by Madame Warlock

Hello Member!

Oftentimes one of the hardest things for people to write about happens to be the thing that they know the most about - themselves. You are the expert on you, no one knows you better than you and that is because only you can ever know what’s going on inside your own head. For some reason or other this doesn’t seem to make the concept of writing about yourself any easier to do, so I’ve got a slightly different exercise to offer up instead. It still targets the concept of using what you know best while also allowing for some creativity.

This month’s exercise is titled “I Remember…”.

The Process:

Gather your writing materials and get yourself comfortable enough to think and to write.
Reflect on some of your own memories.
Start out your piece with the phrase “I remember…”.
Write about some of the things you remember.
Let your memories carry the piece.

Benefits for a Writing Mind:

This exercise allows you to draw from the thing you are the most knowledgeable about - yourself - without actually prompting you to openly write about yourself which is something so many people find difficult to do.

This exercise is a very open form that could be used for free writing. Letting your mind flow through things can unlock ideas and possibly help inspire your muse if it seems to have gotten away from you.

This exercise can become very visual and, therefore, it can be a good thing to work through if you’re seeking to improve on imagery. Describe what you see in your own memories and focus on the details that have meaning to you.

If you’re still struggling to write about yourself, this exercise does not have to be about yourself. Pick out a person from your memory and write about what you see in them within the memory. Turn it into their story rather than your own.

Interesting Twists:

Write “I remember…” but take the stance of one of your characters and write their memories in a reflective manner. It’ll be great for character development!

Write with someone. See what your own memories invoke in someone else's memories. Maybe you have common experiences you don’t know about. It could spark a new friendship.

Turn it into a poem. You might find that it becomes quite beautiful. Even the simplest memory has room to blossom.

As you’re exploring the stories in your own mind, remember that writing is supposed to be fun. Release all your stress onto the page and let it release you from whatever might be holding you back. Sometimes seeing all those emotions paint a picture can be beautiful and it can help you discover new parts of yourself.

Enjoy!

November 2016

by Scarlet Warlock

Greetings, Member!

One of the most difficult things about writing is achieving the desired tone in a particular piece of writing. Emotion drives tone in a piece of writing in many instances and therefore, knowing how to write with multiple different emotions is definitely a good skill to have. Like many other things in life, writing with emotion takes practice and the more you practice, the better you can get. Sometimes it may not seem worth it to start a new story just to get practice on something. Here’s an exercise that allows you to practice with your own emotions.

This issue's exercise is called “Love it or Hate it."

What you will need:

Something to write with and/or on

The Process:

Gather up all your supplies and get comfortable.
Pick an object. It can literally be anything.
Write about the object as though you love that object.
Write about that same object as though you hate that object.

Benefits for a Writing Mind:

It gives you practice using tone based on emotions in a quick and fairly easy manner.
It lets you compare the two contrasting tones side by side. This allows you as the writer to see the difference in tone and therefore determine more accurately what you might need to improve upon as far as changing tone from one emotion to another.
Writing with your own emotions can help to influence how you portray your characters’ emotions in your stories and role-plays. Perhaps you can make them more realistic after seeing your own ability to shift emotions quickly or perhaps you realize you can make your characters’ actions more dramatic.

Interesting Twists

Instead of writing about it as though you love it and you hate it, use two different emotions that contrast. Write about something as though it is frustrating and then write about it as though it is calming. Write about something as though it's funny and then write about it as though it is boring.
Turn it into a group activity! Have a partner give you an object and then write about it once as though you hate it and once as though you love it. Or you can have a partner give you two contrasting emotions and pick an object you can write about both ways.
Instead of doing the exercise with an object, pick one of your characters and use your character as the object of the exercise. This allows you to be able to see both the flaws of your character - and potential reasons to hate them. It also allows you to be able to see their strengths - and potential reasons to love them.

As you find yourselves enjoying the exercise, feel free to share it and we just might feature it in next month's issue. Make sure you enjoy yourself along the way and have fun with an activity meant to stimulate your mind and fuel your muses.

Sincerely yours,

October 2016

by Scarlet Warlock

I do believe that as writers, there comes a point where we stop seeking new vocabulary on our own. Browsing through a dictionary just doesn’t seem to have any element of fun to it. Granted, sometimes you don’t need a dictionary to learn new words. Here on Guilty Pleasures, members are able to learn new words every week courtesy of the wonderful Moonflower3’s “Word of the Week” thread. However, let’s add a bit more fun into expanding our vocabulary.

This issue's writing exercise will be called "Defying the Dictionary".

What you will need:

pen and paper (or something to type on)
a dictionary (either a book or online)

The Process:

Gather all your supplies and get comfortable.
Open up your dictionary to a random page.
Find a word you don’t know the meaning of. Do not read the definition… yet.
Instead, write down the word and make your own definition.
Repeat.
When you’ve had enough, compare your definitions to the real definitions. It’s bound to be amusing!

Benefits for a Writing Mind:

One of the big things that come into play with this exercise is creativity and exploring your ability to break the norms. Yes, the word already has a definition, but that doesn’t mean it has to retain that definition in a world of your own creating. As writers, everyone is free to decide that the world is different from what it seems and everyone is free to change things. This exercise helps to train your mind to do that.

It grows your vocabulary. Even if you’re initially writing your own definitions, you still are bound to explore what the words really mean and maybe you’ll be able to incorporate them into your own writing or roleplaying.

Interesting Twists:

Not only could this exercise itself be fun, but it can be twisted to add more intrigue. Instead of searching for a word that you don’t know, come up with a definition you don’t know of a word for. Then make your own word that means the definition in your head. When you’re finished starting your own language, see if a word with that definition truly does exist.

Excitingly enough, this can attain the benefits of the original exercise, and once you start creating your own language, it's something you can use to build your own worlds in the stories you write.

Make it a group activity! Instead of browsing through the dictionary yourself, have a partner give you a word. While they may know the definition, you write your own. Compare the two and make a game out of it. See who can get the closest to the real definition or see who can come up with the wackiest definitions. It’s totally up to you!

Be sure to send us some of your best ideas and we may end up featuring it on the next issue of Scandalous newspaper. I hope you enjoy yourself with this recreational and fun activity to stimulate your mind and writing process!

Until next time.