Writer-In-Progress

Yes, that’s right. Another shameless plug for the contest. For those of you who keep putting it off, today’s the day you’re going to write that 100 word winner.

Having trouble getting started? Try these ideas:

1. Go pour a cup of coffee, a mug of tea or grab a bottle of something and find a quiet place to sit for brainstorming.

2. Set a timer for ten minutes and only write down possible topics and ideas. Make this as a list with numbers or bullet points. When the timer starts moving, start your pen or pencil (or typing) on the paper and do not stop. Even if you feel resistance, type “no idea..no idea” or something similar to fill up the time. Spend the entire ten minutes writing and thinking.

3. Put your list aside. Go take a walk, do a little yoga, clean the bathroom, fold a pile of laundry. Something that takes a bit of time but not too much.

4. Return to your list, and through process of elimination, cross off ideas and words that do not inspire you to create a story about your worst Christmas present. (I often find that the ideas that come later, after I’ve excavated the top portion of my brain where my conscious thought controls everything in tidy chunks, is when the good ideas start flowing)

5. When you’ve got one idea, create another list in the same manner as the first. Write down every single thing–idea, feeling, emotion, sensation, etc., that can bring that one idea to life.

6. Now you’ve got your story. Create a 100 word story and bring your Christmas gift to life. Let us see, feel and understand why it was so horrid.

7. If you’re looking for a little insider secret, the entry I’m liking the most right now is not something material–no ugly sweaters or stinky perfumes–it’s an event. Not that something funny and material can’t top that, but think deep on this one.

Now that you have your assignment, what are you waiting for?! Get out there and write!

happy 100-wording,

Beth

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