Greetings, young writers… (old writers… wannabe writers… and all the ships at sea)
Here’s another good writing exercise for you.
This one was introduced to me by a friend, and fellow writer, on one of the forums I sometimes hang out at.
BIG SHOUT OUT TO “FRED” over at the WF !!! (you know who you are… yeah!)
Anyway, It’s a pretty creative idea that could save you from the dreaded “WHITE PAGE OF DEATH !!!” (also known as writers block)
Whenever I find an opportunity to bring you something that could improve your writing, I want to share it with you. So I decided to write this quick post, explaining this great little exercise. (are you getting excited yet…? I know I am.)
Now personally, I think this method is pretty fantastic. But it won’t instantly make the words appear, all by themselves. And you probably won’t jump up and down shouting “Hallelujah! I have the answer, at last!”
But, it’s still a pretty incredible way to give that evil nemesis “writers block” the old “1…2…knockout punch” it so rightly deserves.
So, if your ready to learn it… Here’s the magical formula…
– First, decide what you’re subject is.
– Second, write down the letters of the alphabet (A – Z)
– Third, write down a word that starts with each letter of the alphabet (Ideally a word that relates to your topic?)
– Finally, start writing using the words on your list. Try to weave as many of those words as you can, into your writing.
That’s it (It’s just that simple)
Why does it work?
It’s physics, man! An object in motion has a better chance of remaining in motion.
And universally speaking, the act of just getting started, is one of the surest ways to start filling the empty page.
So by writing a list of words, you get started, (without spending too much time “overthinking” what you’re going to write)
And using the alphabet is just a vehicle to help you get started.
Of course, you may not be able to use every word on your list, or you may decide you just don’t want to use them all. And you can always use variations of your words, (for example: if you wrote the word “magic,” you could certainly use – magical, or magically, if it fits better)
But by making the list, it gives you a starting point, and gets rid of the empty page.
How do I know this method works?
Because I used it to write this very post.
My list is at the bottom of this page. And when you take a look, you’ll see I used most of the words, in the post above. (Unfortunately, I couldn’t think of a way to use the words “X-ray” or “Zoo” on this page. – [Oh wait… I just did 🙂 ] )
Anyway, from one writer to another… the next time you find yourself staring at a blank page, give this method a try.
Because writers block can sometimes suck the life out of us. And just wishing the words would somehow start writing themselves… usually doesn’t work.
All the best,
SAR
Another
Big
Creative
Decided
Excited
Fantastic
Great
Hallelujah
Incredible
Just
Knockout
Learn
Magical
Now
Opportunity
Pretty
Quick
Ready
Subject
True
Universal
Very
Writer
X-ray
Your
Zoo
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