Flex those fingers!

Whether you're an old hand or new to creative writing, it's always useful to hone your skills and learn new ones. I say this from recent and past experiences. So, I thought it would be useful to share some ideas with some creative writing exercises. Some, at first glance, appear to be easy, but they are all designed to get your brain working and your imagination flexing.

Inner Monologue -

Last month's topic for our writing group was based upon Alan Bennett's 'Talking Heads'. Not being familiar with his work or the television series, I did some research and was daunted by the prospect of writing a piece based purely on monologue. Deciding to focus on telling a story by using only inner-monologue I set to work and found it's not that easy to accomplish. Here's an excerpt from my piece titled "Back to School" -

Oh my god! At least I've got a large gin and tonic to help me through this.

Why on earth I let Sandra talk me into this reunion thing I'll never know. A moment of madness or the menopause, I suspect.

If I sit here in the corner, as I used to at those horrid school discos, maybe no-one will notice. Some, obviously want to be noticed, just like they did thirty years ago. I mean, we're not a bunch of kids anymore and just look at them. Bopping around that dancefloor to Culture Club with hair that's done up like roadkill. There's probably a bigger hole in the ozone layer now with all that hairspray.

I did eventually manage to write a total of 581 words, but it's hard not to drift into description or conversation with another character. It did, however, transport me into the character's shoes and focus on her perceptions and observation of people.

Description -

Another recent exercise I undertook was to write 150 words using only description. Whatever you're trying to achieve by describing something, it not only sets the scene but can also set the mood and provide hints to your reader about what is happening or about to. The words you choose will impact upon a reader and can trigger emotional responses that will either have them turning the pages or falling asleep, so getting it just right is as important as the story itself. Sounds easy until you try it! Find an image that interests you and set aside 20 mins to see what you come up with. Try describing a landscape scene, a person's appearance and, an animal. Why not even try variations using the same image by writing an uplifting or romanticised version and then something that conveys darkness or tension.

Past, Present, and Future -

When writing a story, be it based upon fact or fiction, it often involves writing about something that has happened before such as an event or a memory. This can be useful to provide background information for your storyline or character and is another useful skill. Write a paragraph about a memory triggered by a familiar scent or visiting a place from childhood. Try and include sensory and emotional information to provide the reader with an insight as to how your character is affected and then write another paragraph to describe their present and another giving insight into a future event or how they feel reaching a milestone in their life.

There are many other writing exercises to be found online and numerous books filled with different techniques to master. They are not just a great way to learn but are also effective to clear the fog of the dreaded writer's block and may even trigger the inspiration for your next best-seller.