A ten minute writing exercise Writing in the first person appears to be unpopular. I’ve noticed over time that many in my local writing group steer clear of it in favour of writing in the third person. First person is I, we, and us rather than he/she, they, or them. It’s true, first person canContinue reading “Writing in the First Person”
Category Archives: Ten Minute Writing Exercises
Famous Paintings as Writing Prompts
A ten minute writing exercise Pictures make excellent writing prompts. They can be the spark that ignites creative thought but what if that picture is known the world over? How does the writer divorce themselves by what is known or perceived to be depicted and move to their own original interpretation or perspective. The purposeContinue reading “Famous Paintings as Writing Prompts”
Writing With Random Words
A ten minute writing exercise The random words exercise encourages writers to use words they might not normally choose. A wider use of words facilitates a more engaging style of writing. The Exercise Ask each member of your group to write down a random word without revealing it to others. Exclude proper nouns, foreign wordsContinue reading “Writing With Random Words”
Vintage Picture Card Writing Prompts
A ten to fifteen minute writing exercise Vintage Picture Card Writing Prompts Writing prompts are an important part of the writer’s tool kit. For those writers who respond better to visual cues than to written prompts, pictures can be a great help. Themed picture cards add another dimension to the prompt. Vintage picture cards willContinue reading “Vintage Picture Card Writing Prompts”
Books and Poems by the Alphabet
A Game and a Springboard for Discussion A writing exercise….well, sort of. Another week at writing club and you’re pressed for what to do when the readings are over. You’ve been spiraling through the exercises – show not tell, opening sentences, writing emotions, free writing…. It feels like you’ve done them all before. Take aContinue reading “Books and Poems by the Alphabet”
Writing to Weird and Unusual Photo Prompts
A ten minute writing exercise. Ask a group of people to respond to a writing prompt and you will be astonished at the variations in interpretation and approach. Even a photo prompt will elicit variety; such is the nature of the creative mind. Now, here’s an interesting experiment. Make those photo prompts weird, unusual orContinue reading “Writing to Weird and Unusual Photo Prompts”
Progressive Stories and Their Variations
An oral story telling exercise. A progressive story is a great way to exercise creative muscle. Begin a story with a sentence and each member in turn adds to the story with a sentence of their own. These stories can take some surprising turns, ending up as no one member could anticipate. Add some spontaneity,Continue reading “Progressive Stories and Their Variations”
Rhyming Word Trivia – Game 2
A writing group exercise There are 15 words and for each there are three different meanings. Choose the correct meaning of the word and write a, b, or c against the number of the word. You can score yourself if you want but there is no need to reveal scores, this is just for aContinue reading “Rhyming Word Trivia – Game 2”
Photos as Writing Prompts
A ten-minute writing exercise (or a prompt for a longer work.) Why photo prompts? Where do you find the spark that ignites creative thought? What is it that nudges a thought that becomes an idea that grows into a story? Writing prompts are an important part of the writer’s tool kit. For those writers whoContinue reading “Photos as Writing Prompts”
Play Word Trivia
An exercise for writing groups Challenge yourself or your writing group with this word trivia quiz. There are 10 questions and for each there are three different meanings. Choose the correct meaning of the word and write a, b, or c against the question number. You can score yourself if you want but there isContinue reading “Play Word Trivia”
Bass Coast Banter 