May 10
28
Getting The Lead Out
How to get the words flowing…
There’s a simple writing practice technique called “impulsive writing.” You just write a sentence. Whatever comes to mind. No plan, no thoughts, no outcome expected. Just grab a sentence out of thin air. Then follow it wherever your imagination takes you, one sentence after another. No rules, no expectations. Just let your imagination wander.
The end result may not turn out to be great literature. But who cares? The aim is simply to practice weaving thoughts and images together into readable material, regardless of content or length. It’s not only a great way to improve basic writing skills, but also helps free your imagination…especially when it’s not saddled with a pre-determined end result. It is that, more than anything, which stalls creative thinking, and turns the writing process into a constant struggle between what’s being said, and how it’s said.
So try it. Just write that first sentence, then follow it wherever your imagination takes you. It’s easy, liberating, and can be quite fun. Or should be. If not, then perhaps you might want to work on your attitude as well as your writing. Click below to see a brief example
An Example Of Impulsive Writing
“James Foster loves cranberry muffins.”
“So what do you think?”
“It sucks. The aim of the first sentence is to arouse curiosity.”
“Ok, how about this: ‘James Foster would walk a mile for a cranberry muffin.’ Doesn’t that make you at least a little curious?”
“Not really.”
“Well what am I supposed to say? I can’t tell the whole story in the first sentence.”
“Let me give you an example: ‘James Foster used to hate cranberry muffins.’ See the difference? It immediately raises a question: Why didn’t he like them, and what made him change his mind?”
“I see what you mean. But it wouldn’t be true. He’s always loved them.”
“I don’t know what he likes or dislikes. I’m just trying to make a point. Write whatever you want. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Wait a minute! Maybe I’m just trying to get into the story the wrong way. What if I started out with this instead:”
I have a wonderful blue ribbon named Nancy.
“You do? No kidding? How long have you had her?”
And so the story began…
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